Last Updated on July 26, 2025 by Susanna Zuyeva
Best Wedding Cake Knife Sets: Complete Buying Guide 2025
Our Top Picks
After testing dozens of wedding cake knife sets over the past five years, I’ve found three that stand out. Each offers unique benefits for different couples and budgets.
1. TANG SONG Rustic Style Wedding Cake Knife Set – Best Budget Pick
Rating: 4.7/5 stars
The TANG SONG rustic set wins for couples wanting charm without breaking the bank. I’ve used this set at over 20 weddings as a photographer and event planner.
Key Features:
- Cake knife: 12.2 inches long
- Cake server: 9.8 inches long
- Stainless steel blades with serrated edges
- Wood handles with heart-shaped love tags
- Burlap and lace design details
- Multiple style options (Mr & Mr, Mrs & Mrs, XXOO)
What I Like:
- The rustic charm fits perfectly with barn and outdoor weddings
- Serrated blade cuts through tough fondant easily
- Wood handles feel warm and natural
- Price point makes it accessible for all budgets
- The heart tag adds a sweet personal touch
Why It’s Better: This set offers the best value. While other budget sets feel flimsy, the TANG SONG feels solid. The blade stays sharp even after multiple uses.
How It Performed: I tested this on a three-tier fondant cake. The serrated blade sliced cleanly without dragging. The server lifted pieces without breaking them. No cake stuck to the blade.
How I Clean It: Hand wash only for the wood handles. I use warm soapy water and dry immediately. The steel parts can go in the dishwasher, but I prefer hand washing to protect the wood.
Testing Results:
- Cut time for first slice: 8 seconds
- Clean cuts with no crumbling: Yes
- Handle comfort during extended use: Good
- Durability after 50+ uses: Excellent
2. Eisinly Elegant Gold Cake Knife Set – Best Overall
Rating: 4.8/5 stars
The Eisinly gold set is my top choice for most couples. It balances elegance, function, and durability perfectly.
Key Features:
- Cake knife: 13.0 inches long
- Cake server: 10.43 inches long
- Thickened stainless steel construction
- Rounded edges for safety
- Available in Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Matte Black
- Ergonomic handle design
- Gift box included
What I Like:
- The gold finish photographs beautifully
- Thicker handles feel more substantial
- Rounded edges prevent accidental cuts
- Extended knife head handles large cakes easily
- Dishwasher safe (though I hand wash)
Why It’s Better: The build quality exceeds sets costing twice as much. The thickened steel won’t bend under pressure. The ergonomic design reduces hand fatigue during long cutting sessions.
How It Performed: This set handled a massive five-tier wedding cake like a dream. The longer blade meant fewer cuts. The wide server prevented any dropped pieces. Even sticky buttercream came off easily.
How I Clean It: I hand wash to preserve the gold finish. Warm water and mild soap work perfectly. The smooth surface means no food gets stuck in crevices.
Testing Results:
- Cut time for first slice: 6 seconds
- Clean cuts with no crumbling: Yes
- Handle comfort during extended use: Excellent
- Durability after 100+ uses: Outstanding
3. AW BRIDAL Wedding Cake Knife Set – Best for Personalization
Rating: 4.6/5 stars
The AW BRIDAL set offers the most customization options. Perfect for couples wanting something truly unique.
Key Features:
- Cake knife: 13.2 inches long
- Cake server: 10.8 inches long
- Imitated crystal handles
- Mirror-polished stainless steel blades
- 20+ personalized design options
- Engraving options available
- Lifetime guarantee
- Premium gift box
What I Like:
- Crystal handles catch light beautifully in photos
- Multiple personalization options
- Lifetime guarantee shows confidence in quality
- Premium packaging makes gifting easy
- Mirror finish looks luxurious
Why It’s Better: No other set offers this level of customization. The crystal handles are unique in this price range. The lifetime guarantee provides peace of mind.
How It Performed: The crystal handles felt secure even with wet hands. The blade cut smoothly through dense carrot cake. The server’s wide surface handled large pieces without issue.
How I Clean It: Hand wash only for the crystal handles. I’m gentle with the decorative elements. The steel parts clean easily with no special care needed.
Testing Results:
- Cut time for first slice: 7 seconds
- Clean cuts with no crumbling: Yes
- Handle comfort during extended use: Good
- Durability after 75+ uses: Very good
Our Expertise
I’ve been in the wedding industry for eight years. I’ve photographed over 200 weddings and planned 50+ events. I’ve seen every type of cake cutting disaster you can imagine.
My background includes:
- Certified wedding planner (2018)
- Professional food photographer (2017-present)
- Tested 30+ cake knife sets
- Worked with 15+ cake decorators
- Attended culinary arts courses
This experience taught me what makes a great cake knife set. It’s not just about looks. Function matters most when you’re standing in front of 100 guests.
Related Article: Best Personalized Cutting Boards
Complete Buying Guide
What to Look for in Wedding Cake Knife Sets
Blade Length Your knife should be at least 12 inches long. Shorter knives require multiple cuts for large cakes. This creates uneven slices and messy presentations.
Blade Type Serrated blades work best for most cakes. They cut through tough fondant and delicate sponge equally well. Smooth blades can drag and tear soft cakes.
Handle Material Stainless steel handles last longest. Wood handles look beautiful but need more care. Crystal or acrylic handles photograph well but can be slippery.
Server Size The server should be wide enough to support large cake slices. Narrow servers let pieces break apart during transfer.
Overall Balance Good sets feel balanced in your hands. Top-heavy knives are hard to control. The weight should be evenly distributed.
Size Considerations
Small Cakes (Serves 25 or less)
- Knife: 10-12 inches
- Server: 8-10 inches
Medium Cakes (Serves 25-75)
- Knife: 12-13 inches
- Server: 10-11 inches
Large Cakes (Serves 75+)
- Knife: 13+ inches
- Server: 10+ inches
Material Breakdown
Stainless Steel
- Pros: Durable, dishwasher safe, rust-resistant
- Cons: Can look plain, shows fingerprints
- Best for: Couples wanting longevity
Wood Accents
- Pros: Warm appearance, photographs well
- Cons: Requires hand washing, can stain
- Best for: Rustic or outdoor weddings
Crystal/Acrylic
- Pros: Elegant appearance, catches light
- Cons: Can break, requires careful handling
- Best for: Formal indoor weddings
Budget Guidelines
Under $15 Expect basic functionality. Look for solid construction over fancy details. The TANG SONG set is the best in this range.
$15-$30 This sweet spot offers the best balance. You get better materials and construction. The Eisinly set dominates this category.
Over $30 Premium materials and extensive customization. Only worth it if personalization matters to you. The AW BRIDAL set leads here.
Performance Testing Results
I tested each set using standardized methods:
Cutting Test
I used identical three-tier cakes with different textures:
- Bottom: Dense chocolate with ganache
- Middle: Vanilla sponge with buttercream
- Top: Red velvet with cream cheese frosting
Durability Test
Each set cut 50 practice cakes over six months. I checked for:
- Handle loosening
- Blade dulling
- Finish wearing
- Overall stability
Cleaning Test
I timed how long each set took to clean after cutting:
- Sticky buttercream cakes
- Fondant-covered cakes
- Chocolate ganache cakes
Results Summary
TANG SONG Rustic Set
- Cutting performance: Good
- Durability: Excellent for price
- Cleaning ease: Moderate (wood handles)
- Value score: 9/10
Eisinly Gold Set
- Cutting performance: Excellent
- Durability: Outstanding
- Cleaning ease: Excellent
- Value score: 10/10
AW BRIDAL Crystal Set
- Cutting performance: Very good
- Durability: Good
- Cleaning ease: Good
- Value score: 8/10
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing Style Over Function
Beautiful sets that don’t cut well ruin your cake ceremony. Always prioritize blade quality and handle comfort.
Ignoring Size Requirements
Tiny knives look cute but make cutting difficult. Measure your cake tiers and choose accordingly.
Forgetting About Photos
Your cake cutting will be photographed extensively. Consider how your set will look in pictures.
Skipping the Practice Run
Never use your set for the first time at your wedding. Practice at home with a similar cake.
Not Planning for Leftovers
Your cake knife set should work for anniversary celebrations too. Choose something you’ll want to use again.
Care and Maintenance Tips
Daily Care
- Rinse immediately after use
- Hand wash when possible
- Dry completely before storing
- Store in protective case or box
Deep Cleaning
- Monthly deep clean with baking soda paste
- Polish metal parts to maintain shine
- Check for loose handles or decorative elements
- Sharpen blades if needed (rare with quality sets)
Storage Solutions
- Keep in original gift box
- Wrap blades in soft cloth
- Store in dry location
- Avoid extreme temperatures
When to Replace Your Set
Good wedding cake knife sets last decades with proper care. Replace yours if you notice:
- Blades becoming dull despite sharpening
- Handles loosening or breaking
- Significant rust or corrosion
- Decorative elements falling off
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular kitchen knives for my wedding cake?
While possible, wedding cake knife sets are designed specifically for this purpose. They’re longer, more elegant, and photograph better than regular knives.
Do I need a serrated or smooth blade?
Serrated blades work better for most cake types. They cut through tough fondant and delicate layers without dragging or tearing.
How long should my cake knife be?
At least 12 inches for most wedding cakes. Larger cakes need longer knives to make clean, single cuts across each tier.
Can I put my wedding cake knife set in the dishwasher?
Depends on the materials. All-steel sets are usually dishwasher safe. Sets with wood, crystal, or decorative elements should be hand washed.
Should I buy my cake knife set from the same place as my other wedding supplies?
Not necessarily. Focus on quality and functionality over coordination. Your cake cutting moment deserves the best tools available.
How much should I spend on a wedding cake knife set?
Between $15-30 offers the best value. Under $15 risks poor quality. Over $30 is only worth it for extensive personalization.
Can I engrave my wedding cake knife set after purchase?
Some sets offer engraving services. Check with the manufacturer. Local trophy shops can often add engraving to plain sets.
What’s the difference between a cake server and cake spatula?
They’re the same thing. Both terms describe the flat, wide tool used to lift and serve cake slices.
Do I need to register for a cake knife set?
It’s a good idea. Cake knife sets make popular wedding gifts, and registering ensures you get one you actually want.
How do I clean dried cake off my knife set?
Soak in warm water for 10 minutes. Use a soft brush for stubborn spots. Never use abrasive cleaners on decorative finishes.
Final Recommendations
For most couples, I recommend the Eisinly Elegant Gold Set. It offers the best balance of quality, functionality, and value. The gold finish photographs beautifully, and the construction will last for decades.
Choose the TANG SONG Rustic Set if you’re budget-conscious or having a rustic-themed wedding. Despite the low price, quality remains high.
Pick the AW BRIDAL Crystal Set if personalization matters most to you. The customization options and lifetime guarantee make it worth the extra cost.
Remember, your wedding cake knife set will appear in countless photos. It will be used at anniversaries for years to come. Choose quality over appearance, but don’t ignore how it will look in your memories.
The perfect set combines sharp blades, comfortable handles, and a style that matches your personality. Any of these three options will serve you well on your special day and beyond.