A knife set is an essential tool in every kitchen. Whether you want to dice, mince, or chop, you will always have a companion to make the process easy for you. While it’s fun to use the knives, sharpening them all could be a hassle.
Luckily for you, there are some pretty good self-sharpening kitchen knife sets out there. Choosing the best self-sharpening knife set might be perplexing due to the wide range of options available. You also have to cycle through your own personal preferences as well, due to the wide variety of features each set possesses.
And so, we have taken the liberty of presenting some of our top picks to help you choose the right kitchen companion.
Consider before Buying Best Self-Sharpening Knife Set
Before you run to the store and get your hands on what you think is the best self-sharpening knife, there are some essential tips you must consider.
Size
First things first, you need to determine how frequently you will be using the knives in the set. Large knife sets offer up to 10 or more knives, while smaller sets come with 4 or 6 knives.
Each knife is specialized for specific cutting purposes giving you better consistency. The smaller sets, however, contain common versatile knives like the chef’s knife. These are great for all-round use around the kitchen.
In the end, it will all depend on your usage frequency and how you prioritize the added benefits of having specialized knives in your kitchen.
Design
Next, we are going to look into the aesthetics and ergonomics of the knife design. The handles play a major role in how well you adjust to a knife and its weight. And so, you should always get a good feel of the handle in order to see whether it feels natural to hold.
Handles come in all sorts of different materials, starting from real wood to synthetic materials that imitate the feeling of real wood! Try out and find which material suits you best.
Moving on, you also need to match your knife set’s aesthetics with that of your kitchen. The set should complement your kitchen appliances well in order to stand out. Most self-sharpening cutlery sets have patterns and aesthetic designs on their handles and the knife docks, giving you a wide range of variety to choose from.
Ease of Cleaning
If you are going to be using the knives, you also have to bear the burden of cleaning them afterward. Hence, you should always choose a set that is considerably low maintenance.
Almost all knives are either dishwasher-safe or require you to wash them by hand or even both. It is always best to get one that is suitable for both the cleaning methods.
However, knives that require you to wash by hand need extra time and attention. So if you choose one as such, be ready to bear the responsibilities that come with it. For busy people, dishwasher-safe knife sets are lifesavers!
Build Quality
Considering the time you’re putting into choosing a knife set, you would always want one that lasts you for ages. Durability is directly linked to the build material of the knife blade.
While most high-quality knives are made of stainless steel, some are also built of carbon steel. Both of these materials are extremely durable, but it depends on the quality of the steel. So make sure you get the best grade steel or at least close to it.
| Brand | Image | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calphalon |  |
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| Farberware | |
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| McCook | |
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| Calphalon |  |
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| Chicago Cutlery |  |
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| Calphalon | |
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| Sabatier |  |
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| HENCKELS |  |
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| HENCKELS |  |
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10 Best Self Sharpening Knife Set Reviews
We have put in a considerable amount of time in our research to bring you some of the finest self-sharpening knives in the market today.
Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening 15 Piece Knife Set
No matter what cuisine you’re in the mood for, this knife set from Calphalon has a knife for every meal.
Bringing you a total of 15 knives, this set comes with the top self-sharpening Calphalon knives. Starting from the steak knives to paring knives to the common chef knives, this set has it all. Whether you want to mince, chop, dice, or saw, the knives will cater to all your needs.
In addition, all the knives are made of high-quality carbon steel, enhancing their durability. Also, the high carbon material makes the blade of the knife stainless. In other words, the knife will continue to shine as clear as the day you bought it.
Within each storage block are Calphalon’s high-quality ceramic blocks, patiently waiting to sharpen all your knives. Each slot is carefully measured to each knife blade, and with the addition of labels, identifying has been made much easier. This way, you’ll be able to avoid oversharpening your blades.
What’s more, featuring a full tang design gives you more control and strength. The ergonomic handle has been designed to maximize comfort, while the triple-riveted system keeps the handle firm against the full tang extension.
NEXT READ: Calphalon Knife Reviews
Pros
Cons
Farberware Self-Sharpening 13-Piece Knife Block Set
For those of you looking for modern aesthetics while prioritizing comfort above all else, this 13 piece knife set from Farberware is the way to go. Straight out the box, you will find yourself opening up to a beautifully crafted storage block. The build quality of the box is quite premium, and the weight adds a sense of sturdiness to it.
Moreover, the set comes with 13 knives of different lengths to cater to all your cutting needs. Starting with a smartly placed scissor, you will receive an 8-inch Chef knife, an 8-inch slicer, a serrated utility knife, a 5-inch Chef knife, a paring knife, and 6 different steak knives.
Farberware really hit the ball out of the park with their brushed semi-matte finish handles. The curvy ergonomic design fits the handle comfortably within the palm while also enhancing the control and grip.
Furthermore, the edge retention on the blades is noteworthy as they are built from high-carbon stainless steel. Using only the best grade steel has allowed Farberware to make quite the name for themselves when it comes to the durability of their knives.
The storage block features Farberware’s very own edge keeper technology, which provides some of the best self-sharpening in the market. And the ceramic sharpeners inside the block will continue to hone the knives every time you place them in the slot.
NEXT READ: Farberware Knife Reviews
Pros
Cons
McCook MC29 Self Sharpening Kitchen Knife Set
All the way from aesthetics to usability, the MC29 knife set from McCook will have you slicing away in your kitchen effortlessly for hours.
Putting their years of experience into play, McCook has always produced well-designed knives that outperformed others. This knife set is no different. The materials used in the handle to the blade’s core are all of the high quality.
For starters, the core of the blade has been constructed with high carbon stainless steel. There are no second thoughts about the quality of the steel as it goes through 5 different checks before being shipped off to you. Also, the coating of the blade is rust and tarnish-resistant, increasing the longevity period of the set.
In addition, the blades of the knives have gone through innovation in order to last you for the long haul. McCook’s taper grind edge technology enhances the edge retention while making it easy to re-sharpen the knife every time you put it into the storage block.
The storage block does a very good job of housing all the 14 pieces of knives and scissors that come with it. Moreover, the design of the block is very versatile and would complement any kitchen setting.
What’s more, McCook provides you with three different colors of storage blocks to choose from, giving you a more flexible choosing position.
Pros
Cons
Calphalon Contemporary Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set
Up next on the list, we have yet another entry from Calphalon. This contemporary self-sharpening knife set is a showstopper at whichever kitchen it steps in. Being a 15 piece knife set, you will find all the necessary cutting knives you need and more!
Loaded inside the storage block, you will find a standard 8-inch chef’s knife, 7-inch Santoku knife, 6-inch Utility knife, 4.5-inch purer, and 8 steak knives. Also, you get a nice pair of kitchen shears for those herbs and food packaging you need to snip off.
Looking into the storage block, it is truly a work of art. The beautiful dark maple wood build will complement almost any kitchen design. Inside the storage block are high-quality ceramic sharpeners tucked within each knife slot, ready to sharpen whenever you’re not using them.
What’s more, the blades on each of the knives are made of the highest quality German steel. The steel grade surpasses most of the knives out in the market, providing you with the best edge retention and a stainless blade for ages to come.
It can get quite difficult to handle and maintain a 15 piece knife set, but this particular one makes that much easier. Each knife slot is labeled clearly, assisting you in packing them away properly. Without the labels, the knives would be fitted into the wrong slots and would ultimately be under or over sharpened.
Pros
Cons
Chicago Cutlery Insignia2 Knife Block Set
For those people that frequently have guests over or large gatherings at their place, a 15-piece knife set or anything less might seem inconvenient. Well, the Chicago Cutlery store brings to you the Insignia2, which is an 18 piece self-sharpening set, putting an end to those limitations.
So what will you find in this massive set? Let’s take a look. Starting from the smaller knives, we have an 8” slicer, a serrated bread knife, a 5.5” utility knife, two 3” parers, a Santoku knife, a chef’s knife, and a 5” boning knife. Other than that, you will also receive 8 steak knives and kitchen shears as well!
The Chicago Cutlery blades have always been known for their good quality and premium feel. And the knives in this set are made of the best quality high carbon steel, which makes them perfect for heavy usage.
Moreover, the full tang design of the blades provides more output force and gives you better control over your cutting. The handle is made of polymer, which is secured to the blade using three stainless steel rivets. The combination of these two gives you unmatched precision and consistency in your cuts.
NEXT READ: Remove Rust From Kitchen knives
Pros
Cons
Calphalon Precision Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set
By now, you probably have a good idea of how good these guys are at making knife sets. This is yet another example of how well they have mastered their processes to give you the most value for your money.
Like all regular 15 piece knife sets, enclosed in the case, you will find the most common Chef’s knife. Accompanied by the 8 steak knives and kitchen shears, you will find a 6-inch utility knife, a 3.5-inch parer, a bread knife, and a 6-inch Santoku knife.
Having a Santoku knife is great for all those chefs who have a knack for Japanese cuisines.
The massive storage block has one of the most premium wooden finishes you’ll find in the market. And the engraved Calphalon logo on the front will always turn heads, and those who know the brand will definitely know that you’re serious about your knives.
Also, the ceramic sharpeners integrated within the block are just perfect for the high carbon German steel used to make the blade’s core. The sharpeners and the slots have been designed with care and precision to always give you the sharpest knives at your disposal.
Other than the steak knives, all the other knives are made of the best quality German steel, giving you maximum edge retention while also being stain-proof. So, you don’t have to worry about cutting through frozen meat or any other materials as your knife will come out of the kitchen looking brand new.
Pros
Cons
Sabatier Self-Sharpening Edgekeeper Pro Knife Set
This next knife set by Sabatier sets itself apart from its competitors by the attention to detail the manufacturers have put in. Starting from the storage block to the knives, they all look just perfect.
First off, you will literally begin to admire all the little details of the storage block, let alone the knives. The beautifully designed block has rounded corners with raised knife slots giving the overall set more character.
Furthermore, being a member of Sabatier’s Edgekeeper pro series, the self-sharpening mechanism is excellent. Other than the steak knife slots, all your most used kitchen knives are accommodated within self-sharpening slots.
The mechanism has been perfected over the years, and that is proven by the razor-sharp quality of the knives every time you pull them out.
What makes this knife set special is the amount of hard work that goes into making it. Each of the blades is handcrafted to give you the best shape and maximum comfort. Also, handcrafting the blade gives you better edge retention and enhances the sharpness.
Moreover, the handles on the knives are carefully curved in order to give you better maneuverability and stability when cutting. In addition, the three rivets holding the handle to the tang ensures durability and secures the handle tightly to the tang.
Pros
Cons
HENCKELS Graphite Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set
We decided to turn it up a notch with the number of knives you can get in a set. And so, we bring you this next set from Henckels, which accommodates 20 pieces, and it’s a knife set with a sharpening block! You might be wondering, what other knives can this set possibly offer?
Well, for starters, Henckels has packed in two different sets of paring knives, 3-inches, and 4-inches in length, respectively. Other than the regular Chef’s knife and Utility knife, you will find yourself opening up a world of possibilities with the boning and carving knives included.
Each of the knives in the set has been tailor-made for this specific J.A. international graphite series. Which means, a lot of efforts and attention to detail has gone into making this knife worth having in your kitchen. The blades are made of the best grade stainless steel for retaining their sharpness and preventing chipping away.
Also, the self-sharpening mechanism is just a blessing in disguise, literally! From the outside, this would look like any other knife set you would find, a rather large one. But within the storage block is an integrated self-sharpening system working to give you maximum precision and comfort whenever you’re in the kitchen.
Moreover, the labeling on the storage block avoids misplacement of the knives, which can be harmful to the edge of the blade.
Pros
Cons
Henckels Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set
Who better to be a worthy competitor of a 20-piece knife set than this one from Henckels. With undoubtedly one of the most attractive storage block and knife combos, this will be the center of attraction in any kitchen.
Straight out the box, you will notice the all-round metallic body of the knife. Everywhere you look, steel is all you will see, and for a good reason too. With forged German stainless steel used as the blade’s core, the knife will last you for ages!
Moreover, the handles are constructed from stainless steel as well, giving a better weight balance ratio. Followed by a mirror finish end cap, these knives are worth drooling over.
The steel accent on the top half of the storage box contrasts the Walnut finish on the body very well. Integrated within the block are ceramic sharpening rods built to press against your knives every time you leave them unattended so that they are always ready to slice through anything and everything.
With such a heavy knife set, you would always want it to be of low maintenance. Well, your prayers have been answered. This set is completely dishwasher-safe, so you can relax after you’ve worked hard to make your delicious cuisines, without having to worry about hand washing each knife separately.
Pros
Cons
Benefits of Self-Sharpening Knife Set
Timely sharpening is a crucial factor in the durability of your knives. And so, sharpening all the knives in a set can be quite a tedious task.
Self-Sharpening
This is exactly why you need a set with self-sharpening capabilities. These knife sets have a self-sharpening mechanism built within them, leaving your knives razor-sharp whenever you need them. This is particularly useful when you’re cutting raw meat frequently, as the process requires your knife to be very sharp for consistency.
Easy to Maintain
Moreover, the maintenance of this self-sharpening knife set is also fairly easy, coming in both dishwasher-safe and hand-wash models. So, it’s not like you have to put in extra effort in maintaining self-sharpening knives.
Aesthetic Design
In addition, most modern knife sets have aesthetic handles and docks, which are great pieces of decoration for the kitchen. Matching a knife set with the interior of your kitchen or the theme of your kitchen appliances can elevate your kitchen’s feel.
How Do Self Sharpening Knives Work?
All this talk about self-sharpening knives must have got you wondering about the nits and grits of this mechanism.
Storage Block
With a self-sharpening knife set, you receive the knives in what the manufacturers call a “storage block”. This is like a dock to house all the knives that come with the set.
Ceramic Sharpeners
The twist with self-sharpening knife sets, as opposed to regular knife sets, is the set of ceramic sharpeners housed within the storage block. Carefully placed in position, these storage blocks will begin pressing onto the knives every time you put them through the slot. This pressing motion is what sharpens the knife for your next use.
To get the best use out of knives, timely sharpening is crucial. Hence, having a self-sharpening storage block takes all the work off your shoulders and sharpens multiple knives at once. I am leaving you to worry about how you will be using the knives once they’re ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here we have the most commonly asked queries regarding the best self-sharpening knives:
Q: What is a self-sharpening knife set?
A: A self-sharpening knife set has a sharpening mechanism integrated into the dock of the knives. This allows the dock to sharpen your knives and keep them ready for whenever.
Q: Are self-sharpening knives dishwasher-safe?
A: Not all self-sharpening knife sets are dishwasher-safe. Some will require you to clean the knives by hand, as the dishwasher might be detrimental to the edge retention of the blade.
On the other hand, there are flexible knife sets that can be both hand-washed or put into the dishwasher.
Q: Why do we need a self-sharpening knife?
A: A self-sharpening knife relieves you of going through the extra trouble of sharpening your knives manually. High-quality self-sharpening knives are also made from top quality steel enhancing its durability.
Combined with the self-sharpening mechanism, these knives will give you some of the best edge retentions over regular knives.
Q: How long does a self-sharpening knife set last?
A: The knives in a self-sharpening knife set are highly durable and should last you a lifetime. To improve the life and edge retention on your knives, we would suggest you hand-wash them.
Q: Are ceramic knives versatile?
A: For certain items that are denser, the ceramic knife can be ineffective. While it can cut through other soft and light materials, it is not really versatile.
You won’t be able to cut through various fruits and vegetables like pumpkins or melons. We also review the pumpkin knife.
Final Words
All the knife sets mentioned above are undoubtedly the best ones we could find. However, making such an investment would require you to take into account your own preferences first.
We hope this self-sharpening knife review guide has helped you make a more sound decision.
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