Bakeware & Baking Tools

Serrated, Nylon or Steel? How to Pick the Best Pie Server

The best pie server for clean slices: eight steel and nylon servers compared on edge, head shape and pie-plate safety, with what independent tests found.

An apple tart with a slice removed, on a white plate beside a cloth and a cut slice on a small dish
An apple pie with its first slice already out.

The first slice of pie is the one that breaks. The crust is stuck to the plate, the filling has not been disturbed yet, and a table knife can’t get underneath. A pie server is a small wedge with an edge that cuts the crust and a head that slides under the slice and lifts it out in one piece.

The differences that matter are small but real: a serrated edge or a plain one, serrations on one side or both, steel or nylon, and how the head sits against the slope of your pie plate. This guide covers eight servers, starting with the two that America’s Test Kitchen rates best. It is a companion to our guide to the best pie dish, because the plate you bake in decides which server is safe to use.

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Quick verdict: which pie server to buy

For most kitchens, the best pie server is the OXO Steel Pie Server: America’s Test Kitchen names it the winner, with serrations on both sides for left- and right-handed cooks. If you bake in nonstick, choose the OXO Good Grips Nylon Flexible Pie Server. If you want a plain steel server with strong independent backing, choose the Orblue Pie Server.

The table below compares five standouts. All eight are reviewed after it, followed by what to look for and common questions.

Five pie servers at a glance

One pick for each kind of baker, with the edge and head each maker or listing states.

Pie server Best for Head Edge Buy on Amazon
OXO Steel Pie Server

Most pies, either hand Stainless steel Serrated on both sides View on Amazon
Nonstick pie plates Flexible nylon Serrated on both sides View on Amazon
Orblue Pie Server

Orblue Pie ServerBest plain steel
A steel server with a proven record Stainless steel Serrated on both sides View on Amazon
Serving at the table 18/10 stainless steel Pointed tip View on Amazon
A long-lived American tool High-carbon stainless steel Wave edge View on Amazon
A slice of crumb pie on a floral plate, with the rest of the pie, a metal server and a cup of black coffee on a wooden table
A slice of crumb pie, with the server resting on the table behind it.

Our picks for the best pie server

1. OXO Steel Pie Server – The Independent Test Winner

Best overallOXO Steel Pie Server

This server has the strongest independent backing of any here. America’s Test Kitchen names it the winner of its pie server review, calling it a stylish steel server that “did a great job of cutting pies.” Serrations on both edges mean it works the same way for left- and right-handed cooks.

OXO describes the head as flexible yet sturdy, so it can slide under food and lift it, and says it works for cake, quiche and pizza as well as pie. The handle is sleek stainless steel. America’s Test Kitchen found it “a little slick” but comfortable, which is worth remembering if your hands are often buttery.

It was sold by a third party, Hour Loop, when we checked. Check the seller on the listing, or look for an Amazon-sold offer. Avoid using a steel edge hard against a nonstick pie plate.

Why we like it

  • America’s Test Kitchen’s winner
  • Serrated on both sides
  • Flexible yet sturdy head
  • Dishwasher safe, per the listing

Key specifications

Model 3121100
Head Stainless steel
Handle Stainless steel
Edge Serrated, both sides
Length About 13 inches, listing dimension
Dishwasher safe Yes
Made in Not stated
Warranty Not stated on the listing

Why we recommend it

It suits nearly any home baker who wants one server with a proven record on real pie.

Skip it if you bake in nonstick, or you want a softer grip.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Strong independent verdict
  • Works for either hand
  • Also handles cake and quiche

Cons

  • Handle can feel slick
  • Metal edge is not for nonstick
  • Sold by a third party when we checked

Check price on Amazon

2. OXO Good Grips Nylon Flexible Pie Server – Safe on Nonstick Plates

Best for nonstickOXO Good Grips Nylon Flexible Pie Server - Black

America’s Test Kitchen rates this its best nonstick-safe option, and says its wedge “mimics the shape of a nice slice of pie.” The nylon head slid easily under slices and was gentler on the plate. OXO lists it as safe for nonstick cookware and bakeware and heat resistant to 400°F.

The trade-off is stiffness. On thick crusts, America’s Test Kitchen saw the blade sometimes bow outward. That makes it a better tool for tarts, quiches and tender crusts than for a very firm, deep-dish crust.

The handle has a soft, non-slip grip, per OXO, the head is serrated on both sides, and it can go in the dishwasher.

Why we like it

  • America’s Test Kitchen’s nonstick pick
  • Safe for nonstick bakeware
  • Serrated on both sides
  • Heat resistant to 400°F

Key specifications

Model 1064984
Head Nylon
Handle Non-slip grip
Edge Serrated, both sides
Length 11 inches, listing dimension
Dishwasher safe Yes
Made in Not stated
Warranty OXO satisfaction guarantee

Why we recommend it

It suits anyone baking in nonstick or wanting a gentle tool for tart pans and frittatas.

Skip it if your crusts are thick and firm, because the blade can bow.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Kind to coated plates
  • Independent backing
  • Sold by Amazon when we checked

Cons

  • Bends on thick crusts
  • Lower heat limit than steel

Check price on Amazon

3. Orblue Pie Server – Neat Slices With Little Effort

Best plain steelOrblue Pie Server

Orblue is an Amazon-first brand, and we usually treat those carefully, but this one has outside evidence. America’s Test Kitchen lists the Orblue server as highly recommended, saying it “gave us neat pie slices with minimal effort.” Its handle earned a cooler “OK but not great.”

It is stainless steel with serrations on both sides, so it works for either hand. Orblue says it is dishwasher safe and offers a lifetime replacement and money-back warranty on the listing. The listing dimensions put it at about 10 inches.

Orblue sells the listing directly. It is a simple, plain tool with less maker history than OXO or Lamson, and the handle is the part most likely to disappoint.

Why we like it

  • Highly recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
  • Serrated on both sides
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Lifetime replacement terms on the listing

Key specifications

Model COMINHKG069376
Head Stainless steel
Handle Ergonomic shape, material not stated
Edge Serrated, both sides
Length About 10 inches, listing dimension
Dishwasher safe Yes
Made in Not stated
Warranty Lifetime replacement and money back, per listing

Why we recommend it

It suits a baker who wants a tested steel server and does not care about brand or looks.

Skip it if you want a better handle; the test found it only passable.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Strong independent verdict
  • Simple and easy to clean
  • Works for either hand

Cons

  • Handle is only OK
  • Amazon-first brand
  • Few maker details

Check price on Amazon

4. Made In Stainless Steel Pie Server – Shaped for Sloped Plates

Best for the tableMade In Cookware - Stainless Steel Pie Server - Pointed Tip - Crafted in Vietnam

Made In designed this server to follow the sloped sides of its own pie plate, so it can lift a slice without breaking the crust. It is 18/10 stainless steel, dishwasher safe, and resistant to rust and corrosion, according to Made In.

Unusually, the listing gives exact sizes: 10.16 inches overall, with a serving head 4.75 inches long and 2.4 inches wide at its widest point, and a height of 1.2 inches. It is made in Vietnam, and the look is meant to match Made In’s flatware.

One caution: the tip is pointed. America’s Test Kitchen marked down a very pointy Rösle server because its tip scratched a nonstick plate and the slices were harder to remove. We found no independent test of this Made In server, so keep it away from coated plates.

Why we like it

  • Exact sizes on the listing
  • 18/10 stainless steel
  • Shaped to follow a sloped plate
  • Dishwasher safe

Key specifications

Model ACC-PIE-SERVE
Head 18/10 stainless steel
Handle 18/10 stainless steel
Edge Pointed tip; serrations not stated
Length 10.16 inches
Dishwasher safe Yes
Made in Vietnam
Warranty Not stated on the listing

Why we recommend it

It suits someone who owns Made In tableware or serves pie at a set table.

Skip it if you bake in nonstick, or you want a serrated edge that does the cutting.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Clear specifications
  • Good match for a sloped dish
  • Sold by the maker

Cons

  • Pointed tip is risky on coatings
  • No independent test found

Check price on Amazon

A slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream on a white plate, on a wooden table with pine cones behind
A single clean slice of pumpkin pie.

5. Lamson 4-Inch Pie and Cake Server – Made in Massachusetts

Best made in USALamson 4" Pie & Cake Server

This one looks more like a good kitchen knife than a piece of flatware. Lamson makes it in Westfield, Massachusetts, with a hardened and tempered high-carbon stainless steel blade, a full tang, and a wave edge that does the cutting.

The handles are POM, a heat- and water-resistant plastic, fixed with nickel silver rivets. Lamson says it is dishwasher safe and backs it with a lifetime warranty, per the listing. That is the strongest build on paper here.

The head is 4 inches long, so it is a shorter wedge than most. We found no independent review of it, and the full-tang build makes it heavier than a thin stamped server. Keep the sharper edge away from coated plates.

Why we like it

  • Made in Massachusetts
  • Hardened, full-tang blade
  • Rivet-fixed POM handle
  • Lifetime warranty

Key specifications

Model 39570
Head High-carbon stainless steel
Handle POM with nickel silver rivets
Edge Wave edge
Length 4-inch blade
Dishwasher safe Yes
Made in USA
Warranty Lifetime

Why we recommend it

It suits a serious baker who wants a tool made to last and likes knowing where it was made.

Skip it if you want a light, flat server for the table.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Strong build on paper
  • Clear country of origin
  • Sold by Lamson

Cons

  • No independent test found
  • Short head
  • Looks like a kitchen tool

Check price on Amazon

6. Calphalon Prime Pie Server – Weighted Handle, Tapered Blade

Best weighted handleCalphalon Prime Pie Server

Calphalon’s Prime server has a heavy-gauge stainless steel body, an angled tapered blade with a serrated edge, and a weighted handle. Calphalon says the blade slides under each slice from crust to tip, which supports the full piece on the way out.

The angle matters. America’s Test Kitchen marked down a server without an offset handle because lifting slices was harder, and this one has the angle built in. Calphalon says it is dishwasher safe.

It is a fairly new listing with marketing-heavy copy, and it does not state the length or which side the serrations are on. We found no independent review, so this rests on Calphalon’s own details.

Why we like it

  • Angled, tapered blade
  • Heavy-gauge stainless steel
  • Weighted handle
  • Dishwasher safe

Key specifications

Model 150328.01
Head Stainless steel
Handle Weighted, ergonomic
Edge Serrated
Length Not stated
Dishwasher safe Yes
Made in Not stated
Warranty Not stated on the listing

Why we recommend it

It suits a cook who likes a heavier tool and wants an angled head for lifting slices.

Skip it if you are left-handed and want confirmed serrations on both sides.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Angled for lifting
  • From an established cookware maker
  • Sold by Amazon when we checked

Cons

  • No independent review found
  • Length not stated

Check price on Amazon

7. Fox Run Pie and Cake Server, 9-Inch – Simple, One-Piece Steel

SimplestFox Run Pie and Caker Cutter Server

This is the plain option: one piece of polished 18/0 stainless steel with a serrated edge, so it cuts and serves with no joints for food to collect in. Fox Run says it is top-rack dishwasher safe.

It measures 9 inches long and 1.88 inches at its widest point, which makes it the narrowest head we can confirm here. A narrow head suits small slices and brownies, but gives less support under a wide slice of soft pie.

A one-piece metal handle has no grip to speak of, and the serration is on one edge only, per the listing wording. America’s Test Kitchen found one-sided serrations harder for left-handed cooks on other servers, so keep that in mind.

Why we like it

  • One-piece construction
  • Serrated edge
  • Top-rack dishwasher safe
  • Exact sizes on the listing

Key specifications

Model 6093
Head 18/0 stainless steel
Handle 18/0 stainless steel, one piece
Edge Serrated edge
Length 9 inches
Dishwasher safe Top rack
Made in Not stated
Warranty Not stated on the listing

Why we recommend it

It suits a small kitchen that needs a basic second server, or small slices and bars.

Skip it if you want a wide head for big slices, or you are left-handed.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Nothing to come loose
  • Easy to clean
  • Sold by Amazon when we checked

Cons

  • Narrow head
  • No grip on the handle

Check price on Amazon

8. New Star Foodservice Pie Server, 10-Inch – Wood Handle, Restaurant Grade

Best for a crowdNew Star Foodservice Stainless Steel Pie Server with Wood Handle

New Star sells to restaurants and bakeries, and this server comes from that side of the business. It has a tapered stainless steel blade on a wood handle, 10 inches overall, for lifting pie, cake, quiche and pizza slices at a dessert station or buffet.

It is a useful server to buy for a church sale or a catered party, when you may want more than one and don’t mind if they wander off. The wood handle looks traditional, but New Star does not state a dishwasher rating, and wood generally does best with hand washing.

The listing does not mention serrations, so expect to cut the crust first with a knife. New Star gives no warranty on the listing, and we found no independent review.

Why we like it

  • Restaurant supply maker
  • Tapered blade for sliding under slices
  • Wood handle
  • 10 inches overall

Key specifications

Model 36251
Head Stainless steel
Handle Wood
Edge Tapered; serrations not stated
Length 10 inches
Dishwasher safe Not stated
Made in Not stated
Warranty Not stated on the listing

Why we recommend it

It suits anyone feeding a crowd who wants a plain, working server.

Skip it if you want one tool to both cut and serve, or you only use the dishwasher.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Made for repeated service
  • Simple design
  • Sold by New Star

Cons

  • Hand washing is likely best
  • No stated serrations
  • No independent review found

Check price on Amazon

How to choose a pie server for your plate

  • Your pie plate. This comes first. Metal edges and sharp tips can mark nonstick, and America’s Test Kitchen saw a pointed tip scratch a nonstick plate. If you bake in a coated pan, use nylon. Glass and ceramic dishes are more forgiving, and our pie dish guide covers those.
  • Serrations. A serrated edge cuts through crust without tearing it. Serrations on both sides work for left- and right-handed cooks, and one-sided ones favor one hand. A plain edge needs a knife to help.
  • Head shape. A wedge shaped like a slice supports more of it. A long, narrow head can be a poor lifter, which is why America’s Test Kitchen did not recommend the Rösle.
  • Angle. An offset between head and handle lets you lift the slice out without your knuckles hitting the rim.
  • Handle. Pie is buttery. A soft grip holds better, while a polished steel handle looks better on the table.
  • Care. Most of these go in the dishwasher. Wood handles usually should not.
A dark-crusted pie in a dish with a long metal blade resting on it, and another pie and tongs behind
A long blade cutting into a dark-crusted pie.

How we picked these eight servers

We have not used these products ourselves. We looked through pie servers sold on Amazon in the United States, kept only new items in stock when we checked, and read each maker’s listing. Our main outside source is America’s Test Kitchen’s pie server review, which rates the OXO Steel as its winner, the OXO Nylon as its nonstick-safe pick and the Orblue as highly recommended. It also rates a Rösle server as not recommended, so we left that model out, even though the maker is well known.

The Made In, Lamson, Calphalon, Fox Run and New Star servers have no independent test we could find. We kept them for their established makers, clear materials and real differences in build, and each entry says so. The only Amazon-first brand here is Orblue, and it is here because of its test result. A search of the saferproducts.gov recall database by brand found no recall of a pie server from these makers.

A slice of berry pie with a golden crumb top on a blue and white patterned plate
Soft fillings like this one need a head that supports the whole slice.

Pie server questions, answered

What is the best pie server for most people?

The OXO Steel Pie Server. America’s Test Kitchen names it the winner, and serrations on both sides make it easy for either hand.

What is a pie spatula, and is it different?

Usually it is the same tool under another name. Some sellers use pie spatula for a flatter, blunter head, so look at the edge and shape in the photo.

Can I use a metal pie server in a nonstick pan?

Better not. Metal edges and tips can scratch a coating. OXO lists its nylon server as safe for nonstick bakeware, and it is heat resistant to 400°F.

How do I get the first slice out in one piece?

Let the pie cool first, cut two clean lines with a serrated edge, and slide the head all the way to the tip before you lift. Fruit pies need longer to set, and a hot filling will run however good the server is. If a crust keeps slumping during baking, see the best pie weights.

Can a pie server also cut cake and quiche?

Yes. OXO says its steel server works for cake, quiche and pizza, and New Star lists the same range. For a tall layer cake, a long knife does a better job of cutting.

Our final pick for serving pie

Buy the OXO Steel for most pies, the OXO Nylon for nonstick plates and the Orblue if you want a tested steel server with a plainer name. Choose the Lamson if you care where a tool is made.

To finish the baking kit, see the best pie dish and the best pie weights. And if you would rather skip the oven tonight, see the menu or call to order.

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