The $6.99 Ikea Knives I’ve Had for 10 Years and Can’t Live Without

Growing up, I had a very unique party trick that I would often break out at sleepovers: I could point out every single item in a movie or TV show that was from Ikea. Bedsheets, pillows, curtains, mirrors, tables, bookshelves—anything that was from the Swedish furniture behemoth was immediately recognizable to me.

The reason why was actually very simple: My mom worked at Ikea. For 20 years, I spent time visiting her store, eating as many lingonberry treats and hot dogs as I could, and running my hands over every single sofa. I would see a big novelty heart-shaped pillow in the store one week, then spot it in a Disney Channel original movie the next.

Even now, when I step foot inside an Ikea and get hit with that unmistakable scent of balsa wood and cinnamon rolls, I am transported to my childhood. Most of my tableware and kitchen utensils are still from Ikea, including the steak knives I’ve had for 10 years.

Why I Love My Ikea Snitta Steak Knives

These Snitta knives are truly the wunderkind of my kitchen. They are sold in a pack of four (although 10 years ago I was able to get mine in a set of six) and have serrated edges with thick plastic handles.

I have used them for a decade for any kind of food that might require a steak knife over a butter knife. Along with any kind of meat or fish, they easily slice through baked goods like bread and dinner rolls and vegetables such as asparagus and broccoli.

The absolute best feature is that you don’t have to handwash them! Since the handles are plastic and not wood, they are totally fine to throw in the dishwasher. I think after a decade of owning them, this is the quality that I appreciate the most about them.

If I’m breaking out the steak knives for dinner, chances are I made something a little fancier and don’t feel like spending a ton of time washing up after the meal. I’ve probably used them an average of once or twice a week, and I’m still floored by how sharp they remain even after so much use over a decade.

When I purchased these 10 years ago, I was just moving into a new apartment in a new city. I remember how anxious the move was making me, since I didn’t know anyone in my new home. Plus, it was nerve-wracking to tackle the mental and financial load of building up a kitchen from scratch.

Now, I’m happily settled in my first house in a community full of friends. I like to think of these knives as a reminder that sometimes you have to take a leap of faith in order to grow. Sometimes I wonder if these knives will still be with me in another 10 years—I like to think that they will be.

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