Self-sharpening knives are an interesting choice. We bought one when we first moved into our new house, and they have been great to us. This article will cover the best self-sharpening knife sets and everything you need to know about them.
What is the best self-sharpening knife set?
The best self-sharpening knife set that we could find was this one here. You can read the review of it below.
- SET INCLUDES: 3-inch Paring knife
- 4-inch Paring knife,
- 5-inch Serrated Utility knife,
- 5.5-inch Prep knife,
- 6-inch Utility knife,
- 5.5-inch Boning knife,
- 7-inch Santoku knife,
- 8-inch Bread knife,
- 8-inch Carving knife,
- 8-inch Chef’s knife,
- Eight 4.5-inch Steak knives, kitchen shears, self-sharpening knife block
- Self-sharpening slots that sharpen each time a knife is removed or replaced
- Single-piece precision-stamped blade
- Traditional triple-rivet handle
- Set includes: 3″ Paring Knife
- 5″ Serrated Utility Knife
- 6″ Utility Knife
- 7″ Santoku Knife
- 8″ Chef’s Knife
- Kitchen Shears
- Self-Sharpening Knife Block
- Tailor-made for the J.A. Henckels International Statement knife series
- Labeled slots guide proper placement
- 3- and 3-1/2-inch parer
- 5-inch boning
- 5-1/2-inch utility
- 7-inch serrated bread
- 7-inch Santoku knife
- 8-inch chef’s
- 8-inch slicer
- 8 4-1/2-inch forged steak knives;
- Shears
- High-carbon stainless-steel full-tang blades
- Triple stainless-steel rivets
- Limited lifetime warranty
✅ After going through all of the chef knives, this is the knife that we would buy based on all of its qualities.
*Top Pick* J A Henckels Graphite 20-Piece Self-Sharpening Block Set
Knives Included:
- 3-inch Paring knife
- 4-inch Paring knife
- 5-inch Serrated Utility knife
- 5. 5-inch Prep Knife
- 6-inch Utility knife
- 5. 5-inch Boning knife
- 7-inch Santoku knife
- 8 inch Bread knife
- 8-inch Carving knife
- 8-inch Chef’s knife
- 8 * 4. 5-inch Steak knives
- Kitchen shears
Block Material: Stained Ashwood
Knife Material: Stainless steel
Pros:
- Brushed steel caps
- Graphite knife series
- Labeled sharpening slots for proper placement
- Enough steak knives for two families
- German steel
- Beautiful knives and block
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
Overall Review of the Henckels Graphite 20 piece Self Sharpening Block Set :
This self-sharpening knife block set is our number one choice. It has everything you will need in a knife set. All of the knives are a decent length and will serve your purpose in the kitchen well. We’re fans of Henckels knives, you can read our Henckels Knives Review here.
The only downside is that they are hand wash only. But this is very common with any high-end knife set. Putting knives in a dishwasher can cause them to get rust stains, and you won’t want that on these knives. So taking a few minutes to wash them after a meal isn’t that big of a deal. And certainly worth doing to keep your investment looking good. The overall look and feel of these knives is positive. This knife set earns 4.7 out of 5 stars; see the reviews here.
Price-wise you are getting a lot of knives at a great price, considering the brand name. Henckel knives are up there with other brands like Wusthof, Cangshan, and Dalstrong, but none of them have a self-sharpening block set. I would say if you can find this set under $250, you are getting a good deal on their 20-piece set. Click here to check the price.
Click here to buy this set of knives
Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening Stainless Steel 15-Piece Knife Block Set
Knives Included:
- 8-inch Chef’s Knife.
- 8 inch Bread Knife
- 6 inch. Utility Knife
- 7-inch Santoku Knife
- 3.5-inch Paring Knife
- 8 Steak Knives
- Kitchen Shears
- Knife-Sharpening Wood Block.
Block Material: Wood
Knife Material: Stainless steel no stain
Pros:
- Forged steel
- Full tang
- Ceramic sharpeners
- Full lifetime warranty
- Labeled handles
- Amazons’ Choice product
Cons:
- Hand wash only
Overall Review of the Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening Stainless Steel 15-Piece Knife Block Set:
Calphalon is one of the few companies that make a lot of self-sharpening knife blocks (read our Calphalon knives review). They have their SharpIN technology that sharpens the knife every time it is put back into the sharpening slot of the block. Ensuring you will have a sharp knife every time you use it. Calphalon knives feel good in your hand, and this set has all most chefs would need for slicing, dicing, mincing, and cutting.
Compared to the #1 Henckels set, this one is a close runner-up. It is slightly more than some of the other sets, but it is a nice set that has been well received. This knife gets 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon; see the reviews here.
If you can find this knife set under the $280 mark, you are getting a good price. Click here to check the price.
Chicago Cutlery Insignia 2 18 Piece Knife Block Set with In-Block Knife Sharpener
Knives Included:
- 3-inch parer
- 3-1/2 inch parer
- 5-inch boning
- 5-1/2 inch utility
- 7-inch serrated bread
- 7-inch Santoku knife
- 8-inch chef’s knife
- 8-inch slicer
- 8 * 4-1/2 inch forged steak knives
- Shears
- Block with sharpener
Block Material: Wood
Knife Material: Carbon steel
Pros:
- Triple rivets
- Shears
- Full tang blades
- Forged bolsters
- Lifetime warranty
- Lower priced
Cons:
- Hand wash only
- No labels on the knife or on the block
Overall Review of the Chicago Cutlery Insignia2 18 Piece Set :
As we mentioned in our Chicago Cutlery review, these are a great set of knives at a lower price. These knives look great and get highly favorable reviews. They have wooden handles and look stunning. This has one central sharpening slot for sharpening knives, unlike some of the others that have them in every slot.
This knife gets 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon; see the reviews here. The only issue I have with these knives is the lack of labeling on the blocks. The block is a bit wider than some of the other sharpening knife sets, but it’s more a matter of if you prefer the lighter wood to a dark woodgrain finish that some of the other blocks have.
If you are able to grab these for under $200, you are getting a reasonable price on them. They are a lot of knives, and the 8 steak knives are definitely a plus. Click here to check the price.
Click here to buy this knife set
McCook Knife Sets 15-Piece Knife Block Sets with Built-in Sharpener
Knives Included:
- 8 inch chef knife
- 8 inch slicing knife
- 5 inch santoku knife
- 5.5 inch serrated utility knife
- 5 inch utility knife
- 3.5 inch paring knife
- 6 * 4.5 inch steak knife
- 2 pairs of kitchen shears
Block Material: Wood (walnut color)
Knife Material: German stainless steel
Pros:
- Very affordable
- High carbon stainless steel
Cons:
- No bread knife
- Only 6 steak knives
- Hand wash only
Overall Review of the McCook Knife Set:
I really like the look of these knives. If you want a low-priced self sharpening knife set, it’s hard to beat this set. It has everything you would want in a knife set at a very low price. Click here to check the price.
The knives are easy to re-sharpen, and the handles have an ergonomic grip in their design. Set-wise, you are getting a good amount of knives at a low price. There is one central sharpener which is another way they kept their cost down on this product.
I would have liked to have seen a bread knife, as many of the other knife sets had, but I can overlook it and buy a bread knife separately for the amount that this costs.
This knife has over 5000 ratings and earns 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon; see the reviews here. You can see a video of them in action here.
Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening 15 Piece Cutlery Knife Block Set
Knives Included:
- 4 1/2 inch Paring Knife
- 6-inch Utility Knife
- 6-inch Serrated Utility Knife
- 7-inch Santoku
- 8 inch, Chef’s Knife
- Kitchen Shears
- 8 Steak Knives
- Sharpening Knife Block
Block Material: Wood
Knife Material: Stainless steel
Pros:
- Forged steel
- Full tang
- Labeled handles
- Triple-riveted handle
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- No bread knife
- Hand wash
Overall Review of the Calphalon 15 Piece Set :
Much like the other Calphalon knife set in this list, this set is a good set for its value. The knives sharpen every time they are put back into their sharpening slot. See the video of how the sharpening works here.
I really like these knives’ look, they’re of good quality, and I love the attention to detail in the design. I’m not alone; there are over 1800 ratings on Amazon. This knife gets 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon; see the reviews here.
This knife set lists in the under $250 category, and if you can find it under $200, you are getting a good deal on it. Click here to check the price.
Sabatier Self-Sharpening Edgekeeper Pro 12-Piece Knife Block Set
Knives Included:
- 8 inch chef knife
- 8 inch slicer knife
- 5 inch chef knife
- 4.5-inch fine edge utility
- 3.5 inch paring knife
- 6 * 4.5 inch steak knives
- Edgekeeper Self-sharpening block
Block Material: Wood
Knife Material: Stainless steel
Pros:
- Variety of colors available
- Nice look and design
- Forged steel
- Lifetime warranty
- Low priced
Cons:
- Fewer steak knives than other sets
- No bread knife
- Hand wash only
Overall Review of the Sabatier 12 Piece Set :
Like the Calphalon, these knives sharpen every time they are put into their sharpening slot. This set has fewer knives than some of the other sets and is well priced. Click here to check the price.
This knife gets 4.4 out of 5 stars with over 800 ratings; see the reviews here. If you don’t need all the steak knives and can do without a bread knife, then this set may be the one for you to add to your kitchen. Learn more about Sabatier in our Sabatier Knives review.
J.A. Henckels International Statement 7-Piece Self-Sharpening Block Set
Knives Included:
- 3-inch Paring Knife
- 5-inch Serrated Utility Knife
- 6-inch Utility Knife
- 7-inch Santoku Knife
- 8-inch Chef’s Knife
- Kitchen Shears
- Self-Sharpening Knife Block
Block Material: Stained Ash Wooden Block
Knife Material: Stainless steel
Pros:
- Brushed steel caps
- Labeled sharpening slots for proper placement
- Enough steak knives for two families
- German steel
- Beautiful knives and block
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
- No steak knives
Overall Review of the Henckels 7-Piece Self Sharpening Set :
If you are looking for a reputable brand but don’t need a large knife set, this one by Henckels is a great set. It’s similar to our #1 choice, but it’s much more pared down than its counterpart. These knives can keep their sharpness every time you use them.
It has everything you need and rivals the Sabatier and Chicago Cutlery in price, though you are getting more knives with those. Click here to check the price.
This knife gets 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon; see the reviews here.
Zwilling J A Henckels International Statement 20 piece Self-Sharpening Block Set
Knives Included:
- 3″ Paring knife
- 4″ Paring knife
- 5″ Serrated Utility knife
- 5. 5″ Prep knife
- 6″ Utility knife
- 5. 5″ Boning knife
- 7″ Santoku knife
- 8″ Bread knife
- 8″ Carving knife
- 8″ Chef’s knife
- 8 * 4. 5″ Steak knives
- Kitchen shears
- Self-sharpening knife block
Block Material: Stained Ash Wood
Knife Material: Stainless steel blades
Pros:
- Brushed steel caps
- Labeled slots for proper placement
- Enough steak knives for two families
- German steel
- Beautiful knives and block
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
Overall Review of the J.A. Henckels International Statement 20 piece Self-Sharpening Set :
If you prefer the dark handle look and need the steak knives, there is a 20 piece set of these that you can get here for a great price. This knife set has everything you will need to do your cutting jobs in the kitchen. Like all of the knives in the list, they need to be cared for by hand washing and immediately drying. These knives are very sharp and should last you a long time. Click here to check the price.
They are highly loved knives and are popular with buyers. This knife gets 4.6 out of 5 stars; see the reviews here.
Farberware Self-Sharpening 13-Piece Knife Block Set
Knives Included:
- 8 inch chef knife
- 8 inch slicer
- 5.5 inch serrated utility knife,
- 5 inch chef knife
- 3.5 inch paring knife
- 6 x 4.5 inch steak knives
- All-purpose shears
Block Material: Wooden block
Knife Material: Stainless steel
Pros:
- Edgekeeper technology
- Amazons’ Choice product
- Low priced
- Forged steel
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Fewer steak knives than others
- No bread knife
- Hand wash
Overall Review of the Farberware Set :
This Farberware knife set is another well-priced set for new homeowners and kitchen enthusiasts wanting to get into knives. There are built-in ceramic sharpeners in each slot so that when you put a knife in or pull it out, it sharpens the blade for you. To see how the knives work with their Edgekeeper technology here. This knife gets 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon; see the reviews here.
Overall the knives are fairly well priced, and people like them. I like the look of these, and the knife block is a decent size that should fit on most countertops without taking up too much space. Click here to check the price.
What To Look For In A Self-Sharpening Knife Set?
When you are looking at a self-sharpening knife set, there are several things you should consider:
Number of knives
Before you buy a self-sharpening knife set, it’s a good idea to consider what knives you need. Are you just wanting a few, or do you need everything because you are in a new kitchen? Another thing to consider is the pricing of knives generally gets better the more you buy from what we see with these knives listed below. Meaning the price difference between a 7-piece and a 20-piece set isn’t as much as you would think.
Quality of knife steel
Not all knives are created equal. There are a variety of different kinds of steels out there, and it’s important to know what kind you are getting. Known name brands usually have better quality steel, but you can still find good quality in lesser-known name brands as well.
Handle
Another thing to consider is the handle of the knife and what style and look you prefer. Do you like a nice wood grain knife with rivets? Or do you prefer a full tang blade with a metal handle?
Know your knife terms, with this post on knife anatomy.
Knife block
This one is more aesthetic than anything else but still factors into your decision. The knife block will be prominently displayed on your kitchen countertop. It’s good to make sure that you like the look of the knife block for now and for years to come.
Warranty
Another thing to consider is the warranty being offered by the manufacturer. Many of the ones below offer a lifetime warranty or a limited lifetime warranty against defects.
Maintenance
All of the knives in this list are hand wash only. You will find with any high-quality knife that they should be hand washed and immediately padded dry to prevent any type of rust or brown spots from showing up on your knives.
Who makes self-sharpening knife sets?
Several brands that make self-sharpening knife sets there is Calphalon, J.A. Henckels, Sabatier, Chicago Cutlery, just to name a few.
Do self-sharpening knives really work?
Yes, self sharpening knives really work. We’ve had a block for years, and it still does keep its sharpness every time we put it in and out of the knife slots.
Are self sharpening knives good?
Yes, self sharpening knives are good. They are made from the same steel as other knives and made by reputable companies. The quality of the knife is independent of whether it is a self-sharpening knife or not.
Should you Buy a Self Sharpening Knife Block?
If you like the idea of a nice knife set but have no interest in learning how to use a honing rod to sharpen knives the same way professional chefs sharpen their knives, then a self-sharpening knife block I a great idea.
Self-Sharpening Knife Sets FAQ
How Do Self-Sharpening Knife Sets Work?
Self sharpening knives work by inserting the knife a certain way into the knife block. There is a ceramic pad inside the knife slot that sharpens the knife as it goes in or as it comes out. Some knife blocks will have individual sharpeners in each knife slot; others will have one main knife slot that does all the sharpening. This way, you can retain the sharpness of the blade edge every time you use it.
What Is A Self-Sharpening Knife Set?
A self sharpening knife set is a knife set that sharpens itself every time a knife comes in and out of the block, unlike other knife sets where you need to buy a honing rod to sharpen the knives when they get dull.
What is the best knife sharpener?
Ideally, the best knife sharpener is using a honing rod. However, this requires a certain amount of skill and technique. If you are a new homeowner just getting started with your kitchen essentials, a knife set that retains sharpness can be a great way to start in the kitchen.
Final Thoughts on the Best Self-Sharpening Knife Sets
If you love the idea of sharp kitchen knives every time you use them. But don’t want to be bothered with having to remember to sharpen your knives. Then a knife set that retains its sharpness is a great way to go. There are several listed here at various prices and various knife amounts. The best thing to decide in choosing yours is whether you need all the knives that a 20-piece knife set can offer you or something smaller like this 7-piece knife set by Henckels. Either way, you are in good hands.
