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Twelve options across three formats: sets of loose knives, sets that ship with their own block, and full cutlery blocks that include six steak knives.
Chicago Cutlery makes steak knives in two edge types and three handle materials, and the same model number often appears in more than one pack size. The B144 Walnut Tradition set is sold as four knives, as eight, and as twelve, which makes the count the first thing to settle.
The second is the edge. Serrated blades cut through roast crust without being sharpened; plain edges give a cleaner slice and can be re-honed with a steel. Both are available in the same 4.5-inch blade length, so the choice is about maintenance rather than size.
Grouped by format: loose knives, sets with their own block, and full cutlery blocks that include six steak knives.
Solid walnut handles with triple brass rivets and a full tang running to the end of the handle. High-carbon stainless steel blades at 5 inches, the longest in the range. The listing for this pack specifies a plain edge. Walnut handles are hand wash only.
Twelve knives in one purchase, the same walnut handle and forged construction as the four-knife box. This listing describes serrated cutting edges.
Contoured stainless steel handles, forged, 4.5-inch blades. Handle and blade are one continuous piece of steel, so there is nothing to loosen or absorb water.
Eight knives, 4-inch blades, walnut handles. Taper Grind edge, which the manufacturer describes as easier to re-sharpen than a standard grind.
Black polymer handles with triple compression rivets and a full metal tang. 4.5-inch serrated blades. The manufacturer notes that sharpeners should not be used on serrated edges.
Wooden handles, 4.5-inch blades with a hollow edge. The plainest set in the range, without line branding.
Stainless steel handles, 4.5-inch blades, ergonomic profile shared with the Ellsworth block sets. The listing gives the edge as plain in the attribute table and as serrated in the description; both appear on the same page.
Six serrated 4.5-inch knives and a compact modular block.
The same six-knife composition under a separate model number, with a smaller block.
Six 4.5-inch steak knives in a removable walnut steak block that lifts out of the main block, plus chef, bread, utility and paring knives.
Six 4.5-inch steak knives, a sharpening steel and shears. Black ergonomic handles.
Six 4.5-inch steak knives and a built-in sharpener in the block. The listing describes polymer ergonomic handles and lists the handle material as wood.
Both edge types appear at the same 4.5-inch blade length, so the difference is in upkeep rather than in what the knife will cut.
A serrated edge tears through crust and seared surfaces with the points of the scallops doing the work. It holds usable cutting performance far longer than a plain edge because the points sit below the contact surface and stay off the plate. It cannot be restored with a sharpening steel, and the manufacturer states that sharpeners are not to be used on serrated or scalloped edges. When it dulls, it is done.
A plain edge leaves a cleaner cut face and can be honed on the sharpening steel that ships with several Chicago Cutlery block sets. It needs that attention to keep working.
Chicago Cutlery uses a Taper Grind edge across both types, which the manufacturer describes as ground to a narrower angle for easier re-sharpening.
Three handle materials appear across the twelve options, and each behaves differently at the sink.
Every set in this range is full tang, meaning the steel runs from the blade tip to the end of the handle. Blades are stainless or high-carbon stainless steel depending on the line.
| Model | Line | Knives | Blade | Handle | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B144 4-Piece | Walnut Tradition | 4 | 5 in | Walnut, triple rivet | Plain |
| B144 3-Pack | Walnut Tradition | 12 | 5 in | Walnut | Serrated |
| B144 2-Pack | Walnut Tradition | 8 | 4 in | Walnut | Plain |
| Insignia Steel 4-Piece | Insignia Steel | 4 | 4.5 in | Stainless steel | Plain |
| Essentials 4-Piece | Essentials | 4 | 4.5 in | Black polymer | Serrated |
| Steakhouse Set of 4 | Not stated | 4 | 4.5 in | Wood | Hollow edge |
| Ellsworth 4-Piece | Ellsworth | 4 | 4.5 in | Stainless steel | Plain and serrated listed |
| Halsted 7-Piece | Halsted | 6 + block | 4.5 in | Stainless steel | Serrated |
| Halsted 7-Piece, compact | Halsted | 6 + block | 4.5 in | Stainless steel | Serrated |
| Racine 12-Piece | Racine | 6 in set | 4.5 in | Walnut | Serrated |
| Armitage 13-Piece | Armitage | 6 in set | 4.5 in | Black ergonomic | Straight |
| Belmont 13-Piece | Belmont | 6 in set | 4.5 in | Polymer and wood listed | Straight |
Four in a standard box. The B144 Walnut Tradition set is also sold as a 2-pack of eight knives and a 3-pack of twelve. The block sets include six.
The manufacturer recommends hand washing for walnut-handled sets. Listing information varies by model, and where a set gives conflicting guidance both statements appear in the specification table above.
No. Chicago Cutlery states that sharpeners are not for use on scalloped or serrated edges. Plain-edge sets can be honed with a sharpening steel.
Two Halsted sets ship with a compact modular block holding six knives. Three larger block sets, Racine, Armitage and Belmont, include six steak knives alongside prep knives.
There is no dedicated replacement program. The 4.5-inch four-knife sets match the steak knives in most current block sets, and the Racine block holds its steak knives in a separate removable insert.
The knife is the same. The 4-piece is one box, the 2-pack is eight knives, the 3-pack is twelve. Blade length is listed as 5 inches on the single box and 4 inches on the 2-pack.
The B144 Walnut Tradition four-piece is the most reviewed steak knife set in the range.
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