Whether you're serving cake at a wedding, birthday party, anniversary or leaving do, you'll need a set of cake knives. With cake sharing usually being the main event, you need to do a little more than serve it with some simple butter knives! Cake knives tend to be in all the cake shots, whether poised in hand or laid aside the towering creation, so it really is worth it to pick up a set you love.
Cake servers and knives come in many different styles, from plastic and plain to vintage and gold. Then, there are practical elements to consider too. A serrated edge is essential when cutting a fruitcake, and you'll need to check if the set is dishwasher-safe. Luckily, we've written this buying guide to help you choose the best knife for the job; plus, we've included a list of the top 10 best cake knives in the UK from Amazon and John Lewis.
Quick List - Top Cake Knives
OTW PAVILION
A High-Quality 2-Piece Set Made of Stainless Steel With Handles Featuring a Beautiful Raised Floral Pattern
Viners Select
Teardrop-Handled Stainless Steel Cake Server With a 25-Year Guarantee
Eleanor Bowmer
A Dalmatian-Handled Cake Knife With a Serrated Cutting Edge for Neatly Serving Slices of Cake
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Table of Contents
Stainless steel is naturally a silvery colour, so most cake knives are silver, but there are also some gold options that are usually plated with 22-carat gold. These add a touch of glamour, instant sophistication and warmth to your table setting. However, the most important thing is to get one you love, as it will likely appear in many celebration photos! Cake knives can be split into four main style categories:
If you're shopping for a cake knife for your wedding day, you might be interested in our best wedding cake toppers, too!
If longevity is a priority, choose a stainless steel, 18/10 or 18/0-graded cake knife. Grade 18/0 contains a limited amount of nickel, making it slightly less resistant to oxidation. However, grade 18/10 contains the highest amount of nickel, meaning it has the greatest rust resistance and will hold polish the longest. If you can't find a grade, the stainless steel used is probably low quality.
Some cake knives are made of mixed materials such as stainless steel for the blade and ceramic for the handle. While these look great, the joining between the two materials will always be an area of weakness and a prime spot for water to penetrate, increasing the chance of rust and mould. It's up to you whether you value style over longevity, but if you want your knives to last, go for a single-material option.
Our recommended cake carriers will get your cake to where it needs to be - in one piece!
Check if the cake knife is serrated or smooth. If you need to cut a firm cake such as a fruitcake, Royal icing, or pastry items, you'll need a serrated edge, whereas if you need to slice through a soft cake such as a cheesecake, a smooth edge will be fine. These are sometimes labelled as a cake server or cake slice. Make sure you check the product details and photos before buying to ensure you've got the right type.
You can also find 2-piece sets which include a large serrated cake knife and a wide, flat cake server with smooth edges. These are perfect for weddings or parties where you need to portion out large cakes neatly.
For a quick way to make a delicious cake, try our best cake mixes.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | OTW PAVILION 2 Piece Wedding Cake Knife and Server Set | ![]() | A High-Quality 2-Piece Set Made of Stainless Steel With Handles Featuring a Beautiful Raised Floral Pattern | |
2 | Viners Select Stainless Steel Cake Server | ![]() | Teardrop-Handled Stainless Steel Cake Server With a 25-Year Guarantee | |
3 | Eleanor Bowmer Dalmatian Dot Cake Slice | ![]() | A Dalmatian-Handled Cake Knife With a Serrated Cutting Edge for Neatly Serving Slices of Cake | |
4 | Vintage Ivory-Look Cake Server | ![]() | Dishwasher-Safe, Vintage-Style Cake Server to Add a Glamorous Touch | |
5 | KitchenCraft Professional Cake Slice | ![]() | Budget-Friendly Cake Slicer With a Serrated Edge From a Trusted Brand | |
6 | Portmeirion Home & Gifts Sara Miller for Portmeirion Chelsea Cake Slice|SMC1104-XG | ![]() | Elegant Cake Slice With a Floral and Bird Motif Housed in a Smart Presentation Box | |
7 | John Lewis & Partners Ellipse Cake Slice | ![]() | Clean Lines, Functionality and Perfect Shine Ensure This Cake Slicer Won't Date | |
8 | Arthur Price Vintage Cake Server | ![]() | Inspired by an Early 1700s Design, This Serrated Cake Slice Is Minimalist in Style and Practical in Nature | |
9 | Portmeirion Blue & White Cake Slice Server | ![]() | A High-Quality Cake Slice Perfect For Collectors of Blue and White Ceramics | |
10 | I-Total Musical Cake Cutter|XL1906 | ![]() | A Novelty Cake Cutter With 4 Melodies to Entertain Your Guests |
This high-quality set includes both a cake knife and a cake server made from surgical-grade 18/10 stainless steel, which ensures they are practical and last for years. The handles are also steel-plated and include a decadent, raised floral pattern, which adds a touch of style, and allows for a decent grip when portioning large cakes.
Both utensils have a decent weight, which adds another layer of luxury and high quality to the overall feel. As a bonus, the set is packaged in a lovely presentation box, making them an ideal gift for a wedding or special party.
Next up, we have a cake server with an understated yet beautiful design featuring an elegant teardrop handle. This minimalist style is perfect for fitting in with all types of existing cutlery but works just as well as a stand-alone piece. Plus, it comes with an impressive 25-year guarantee.
The cake slice is crafted from high-quality 18/0 stainless steel and features a smooth, mirrored finish making it great for cutting soft and delicately-iced cakes. It's also dishwasher safe! The only reason this one hasn't hit the top spot is simply because it isn't serrated, so it'll be no use for cutting dense cakes and hard icing. Still, if you just need something for portioning, you can't get much better than this.
If you're looking for something a bit funkier, this cake slice will always make you smile! With the quirky combination of the dalmatian print ceramic handle and the opulent gold finish of the blade, this is perfect for both day-to-day and special occasion use.
Designed by respected UK textile designer Eleanor Bowmer, this gift-boxed offering would make a lovely present for anyone who loves joyous prints and fabulous fabrics - as well as cake, of course!
Inspired by Victorian ivory cutlery, this acrylic alternative is an ornate-yet-practical cake server that would be a glamourous addition to any afternoon tea party or vintage-themed gathering.
Made in Italy, the quality stainless steel blade is smoothly rounded, making it ideal for slicing and serving light sponges and cupcakes but would struggle with dense fruit cakes and solid icing toppings. Amazingly, though, it is dishwasher-safe! Just be sure to wipe it dry as soon as possible after washing.
KitchenCraft is well known for its cost-effective, durable and functional kitchen tools, and this cake slicer doesn't disappoint. The 2-in-1 design features both a serrated edge and a flat lifting surface, guaranteeing easy slicing of any cake, pie or tart.
The ingenious inclusion of a metal loop at the tip of the handle allows you to hang it in even the most compact of kitchens. Its stainless steel construction also means the knife can be cleaned in the dishwasher, which is always a plus in our books!
Housed in a gift box that is almost as gorgeous as the item itself, this cake slice would make an excellent present for anyone who loves baking or home aesthetics. Plus, the floral and bird motif on the handle will appeal to both young and older people, making it a great all-rounder!
The serrated edge will make light work of fruit cake, tarts and pies, as well as slicing the more delicate cakes with expert precision. The porcelain handle does mean that it's hand-wash only, so a little extra effort needs to be taken over its care.
The clean lines and pleasingly simple design of this cake slice exaggerate the slim and elegant taper of the handle. Don't be deceived, though, the serrated edge and 18/10 stainless steel mean it's a practical choice for cutting any medium-sized cake or tart.
The slice (made in Vietnam) has been both machine and hand-polished, giving it a virtually-perfect shine. This product is also dishwasher safe, although you must remove and dry it as soon as the washing cycle is finished; otherwise, you risk staining and corrosion.
This vintage-inspired cake server from Arthur Price is based on an Old English pattern dating back to the early 1700s. So, as well as being a stylish choice, it's also a real conversation starter!
While it definitely has a somewhat minimalist style to it, the serrated edge and the fact that it's dishwasher-safe mean it's money well-spent! The stainless steel is also fittingly finished in Sheffield - the original birthplace of British steelworking. Unfortunately, though, the price tag is relatively high, which may put some people off.
Spode has been designing and making its patterned kitchenware for over 250 years. This Portmerion-range cake slice, with a stainless steel serrated blade and ceramic handle, would be an excellent addition to someone's collection of blue and white ceramics.
One of the biggest pros of this product is that the historic company rigorously check that quality and workmanship are upheld, meaning you know you'll be getting a high-quality product. However, due to the ceramic handle, this item isn't dishwasher safe, so it will require a little more care.
This novelty cake cutter is perfect for those who want to inject a bit of fun into the cake cutting experience. Children will particularly love this one, making it a great option for kid's parties. Just remember, this is a serrated knife - not a toy!
Unsurprisingly the cake cutter isn't dishwasher safe and you need need to take close care when handwashing it. While it does come with 4 choices of melodies, it doesn't come with batteries, so make sure you have 2 AAA batteries ready!
No. 1: OTW PAVILION |2 Piece Wedding Cake Knife and Server Set
No. 2: Viners Select |Stainless Steel Cake Server
No. 3: Eleanor Bowmer |Dalmatian Dot Cake Slice
No. 4: Vintage |Ivory-Look Cake Server
No. 5: KitchenCraft|Professional Cake Slice
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