Best self-sharpening knife set

Best Self-Sharpening Knife Set for Fast Meal Preparations

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Despite using your new knife set carefully, it is inevitable you will need to sharpen your knife set since the edges will blunt with time and usage. Moreover, traditional knife sharpening can be as potentially hazardous. Fortunately, there is always a way to make this chore become less daunting and that is buying the best self-sharpening knife set.

Defining a Self-Sharpening Knife Set

Both self-sharpening knife sets and regular ones come with storage block where all the knives are stored neatly as well as safely. However, the big difference is that the ceramic sharpeners are built into the knife blocks themselves and the knives are actively sharpened each time they are retrieved or returned to the blocks.

Succinctly, the ceramic components just slide against the blade edge, though pulling the knife or pushing it into the block, to help the blade edge regain its proper line. However, the self-sharpening knife sets cannot work a miracle and turn a blunt knife as sharp as a razor because when sharpening they do not take off steel. Therefore, you can be required to sharpen your knives manually more so when you are a regular user of these knives.

5 Best Self-Sharpening Knife Sets

1. McCook MC29 Knife Set with Built-in Sharpener

Sale
McCook MC29 Knife Sets,15 Pieces German Stainless Steel...
  • HIGH QUALITY Kitchen Knife Set - Tarnish-resistant and...
  • WORLD CLASS KNIFE SET - Exclusive taper grind edge technology...
  • EASY TO STORAGE - All knives store safely in the hard wood knife...
  • VALUE SET - 15 pieces knife set includes: 8" chef knife, 8"...
  • EASY CARE - The kitchen knife set with block is easy and fast to...
If you want style, function and durability packed into a self-sharpening knife set to help you with your culinary tasks then the McCook MC29 Knife Set with its walnut-tone knife block and silver knives will be the one for you. All the blades are made from high carbon stainless steel that does not rust and tarnish to ensure that the blades you get are as shiny as new for years down the line. It also incorporates first class German steel to the ergonomically constructed handle to increase on the durability as well as to create a fashionable look of the knives.

In addition to style and cutlery, the McCook MC29 is also a self-sharpening knife set. Its taper grind edge sharpening technology ensures that these knives are well sharpened whenever you require a perfect cutting tool. Furthermore, the sharpening slot of the wooden block has a friendly design in offering service for the blades while it is not abrasive to the edges of the blades.

The McCook MC29 knife block set brings fifteen pieces in total, an 8-inch chef knife, an 8-inch slicing knife, a 5-inch Santoku knife, and a 5.5-inch serrated utility knife. Further, you will receive 5 inch utility knife, 3.5 inch paring knife, six steak knives as well as other basic knives.

Pros:

  • It uses unique taper grind-edge sharpening technology.
  • Blades are made of durable high-carbon steel.
  • Ergonomic grip in the German steel handles.
  • The block has a stylish walnut tone finish.

Cons:

  • The knife set is tricky to maintain 

2. Henckels Graphite 20-Piece Self-Sharpening Knife Set

HENCKELS Graphite 20-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Set with...
  • SET INCLUDES: 3-inch Paring knife, 4-inch Paring knife, 5-inch...
  • QUALITY DESIGN: Stylish brushed stainless-steel cap and stained...
  • SELF SHARPENING: Self-sharpening slots that sharpen each time a...
  • EASY TO PLACE KNIVES: Labeled slots guide proper placement
  • QUALITY MANUFACTURING: Knives fabricated from high-quality...

Loaded with 20 cutting tools, the Henckels Graphite 20-Piece Self-Sharpening Set will provide you with everything for your kitchen so you will not need any other knives. They are made of stained ash wood. Besides, a brushed stainless steel cap is provided to each knife slot to guard the self-sharpening features and to enhance its appearance. Also, the knives are of top-quality stainless steel, while the blades have stamped construction to guarantee the optimum use.

These cutting tools feature a triple-rivet handle which has the perfect bend and balance for secure use. Also the handles will not pop off anytime soon.In addition, the knife block has self-sharpening slots which will ensure that your knives remain sharp. Further, there are slots provided on the covers to help you orient the appropriate part in the right position. As a result, each time to take one out or replace it the knives sharpen themselves.

Pros:

  • All the knives and the kitchen shears have a durable stainless-steel construction.
  • Labeling on the knife block for proper placement.
  • The curved handles are comfortable to hold.
  • The triple-riveted handle is durable.

Cons:

  • It is not the most compact option.

3. Sabatier Self-Sharpening Edgekeeper Pro 12-Piece Knife Block Set

Sale
Sabatier Self-Sharpening Edgekeeper Pro 12-Piece Forged...
  • SELF-SHARPENING KNIFE BLOCK: Each slot features a built in knife...
  • RAZOR-SHARP BLADE EDGES: Each Blade is expertly hand crafted for...
  • SUPERIOR QUALITY: Each forged knife is made from high carbon...
  • ERGONOMIC CONTROL: Triple Riveted designed handles offer a sure...
  • 12 PIECE SET INCLUDES: 8 inch chef knife, 8 inch slicer knife, 5...

The Sabatier Self-Sharpening Edgekeeper Pro 12-Piece Knife Block Set may seem out of place on our list since it has fewer knives. However, this product comes with various modern and sophisticated features they are worked hard not to regret, pun intended. For instance the self-sharpening block ensures the knives achieve the right sharpness each time you pull the knives and put them back.

The construction of these knives is from high carbon stainless steel which is resistant and durable in use. Also, the material increase your knife set’s ability to withstand staining and corrosion. Furthermore, the handcrafted knives have a sharp edge for a longer period of time than the mass produced ones.

Although fewer in number than the other sets which we have reviewed in this list, you will find all the standard knives including two chef knives, a paring knife, steak knives, a slicer knife a fine edge utility knife. Lastly, handles keep every knife comfortable when held and the tri-rivet construction is designed not to slip on the item being cut.

Pros:

  • Each blade edge is very sharp and has edge retention.
  • Exceptional quality blades.
  • Unique self-sharpening block design.

Cons:

  • You may need to buy more knives 

4. HUNTER.DUAL Knife Sets for Kitchen with Block, 15 Pcs

Sale
Knife Sets for Kitchen with Block, HUNTER.DUAL 15 Pcs...
  • KITCHEN KNIFE SET - This high quality kitchen knife set is stain...
  • ALL-IN-ONE KITCHEN SET - 15-piece knife set includes. 8" chef's...
  • SHARP KNIFE SET - Each of HUNTER.DUAL knives is carefully tuned...
  • DISHWASHER SAFE - The knife set can be washed in the dishwasher,...
  • CRAFTSMANSHIP - Non-Stick and Rust Resistant - With a black...

The HUNTER.DUAL 15-Piece Kitchen Knife Set with Block is a highly versatile kitchen knife set with very many benefits to any home cook that wants efficiency. It consists of the professional chef’s knife, bread knife, slicing knife, paring knife, and steak knives, kitchen shears, and self-sharpening knife block. With focus on strength to withstand heavy usage while handling food, the knives carry anti-slip handle grips and can be easily washed in a dishwasher.

The self-sharpening includes make the edges sharp consistently using every session and helps in keeping the necessity for manual endeavors to a higher level. This makes it perfect for those families who prepare many times for their knives to get blunt and then time under sharp so as to avoid all this. Kitchenette machines however offer the safety of dishwashing; hand-washing is advised in knife maintenance to improve their durability.

Pros:

  • Self-sharpening block keeps knives sharp 
  • 15-piece set
  • Features anti-slip handles 

Cons:

  • Blades may dull faster 

5. Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening Knife Set

Sale
Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening 15 Piece Cutlery...
  • Kitchen knife set includes: 4 1/2 inch Paring Knife, 6 inch...
  • Built in ceramic sharpeners automatically sharpen chef knives and...
  • Forged, high carbon, no stain steel (steak knives made from...
  • Labeled handles for easy identification in the block; Triple...
  • Full tang design for strength and balance; Full lifetime warranty

The Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening Knife Set has small ceramic sharpeners on the knives that sharpens the straight-edge knives each time you use them. Moreover, the kit comes with these grinders and are safely stored in a fine rubberwood knife block. Therefore, this piece places your restaurant or kitchen in a class of its own.

Besides the series of the steak knives using stamped steel, each of the rest uses carbon stainless steel to withstand wear and tear and keep the neat appearance in the course of the years. The full tang design enhances the knives construction but at the same time ensures that they feel fairly light.

Pros:

  • You also get kitchen shears with this self-sharpening knife set.
  • The sets include built-in ceramic grinders.
  • The handles have labeled to help you identify the knives.

Cons:

  • It does not come with a bread knife.

What to Consider When Buying Self-Sharpening Knife Sets

a). How Many Knives Are in the Set?

A standard knife set will include the chef’s, the utility, the boning, the santoku and the paring knives together with several types of steak knives. Some options may also include Bread knife, serrated utility knife and kitchen shears. Buying all the knives in a set is particularly advisable when you do not wish to have to part with extra coins to purchase other knives.

Nevertheless, if you are not a professional chef, a traditional self-sharpening knife set with at least six items will be enough. On the other hand, individuals operating restaurants or those simply interested in an enthusiast manner on culinary activities ought to attempt to get a 15 piece knife set or more. Therefore, try to take time and think about the frequency you use it, and the kind of foods you prepare whenever choosing the best self-sharpening knife set.

b). What Are the Handles Like?

Knives are best wielded, or used carefully, especially when they are extremely sharp ones. Therefore, when going for self-sharpening knife sets, make sure that you also keep the handles’ grip into consideration. Some fabrics have a better grip than others, and the majority of the knives have improved ergonomic values on the handles. The following characteristics can assist boost your safety while using the cutlery.

On the other hand, if the right choice is made the handles of the knife provide some sorts of appeal. Wood and other wood-like options can look like your current kitchen look. Synthetic materials are not as good looking or as comfortable as the real thing but the former cost a lot less than the latter. On the other hand, handles may be stainless-steel and therefore can have a beautiful shiny finish; it can also be semi-matte.

c). Are the Blades Made of Quality Steel?

The type of steel used to make the self-sharpening knife sets determines the durability, how it will be maintained, and its look. To begin with, high-grade steel in the kitchen tool ensures longevity and at the same time the blades are sharper for longer. Therefore, they may not be necessary to sharpen very frequently, rather you might have to sharpen them manually sometimes.

There is elegance in high carbon as a top layer to steel constructed knives because of their capacity to perfectly built knives. Also, it enhances the Elliptical Toughness feature that reduces chances of the knife to easily get stained or rust.

d). Is the Knife Set Easy to Maintain?

Usually, a set of self-sharpening knives does not include such features into a serrated utility knife and kitchen shears. Therefore, you may be compelled to look for other methods like using the ceramic rods toshan them. However, should you focus on the build quality of blades during purchasing, then you might not frequent the honing rod so much.

Maintaining stainless steel can be quite demanding because this material retains rust as well as marks each time that it is wet. Thus, those knives that are prepared from steel may not be effectively to be washed in dishwasher. Still, handwashing remains your only shot at making them look as good as new as long as possible. Besides, it is advisable not to forget to pat-dry your skin right after washing it to negate staining.

e). How Does the Knife Block Set Look?

Admittedly, aesthetics may not be the top-most consideration when searching for a dependable partner for a kitchen job. However, it should be mentioned that depending on the specific models of self-sharpening knives, you can get the best of this type of knives and conventional stonewares. Even more so, when you practices the culture, which embraces having a kitchen that is in an open design where everyone, including your guests, can see your cutlery.

Depending on how the knife storage piece and self-sharpening knives will blend with the interior decor, you are able to select between wooden block designs as well as more stylized pieces created from brushed stainless steel. Fortunately, there are many choices that can fit very many types of interior decorating styles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Self-Sharpening Knife Sets

1. Can you sharpen self-sharpening knives?

When you notice that the edge of your knives are blunting, then you should use the sharpening slots of the block in order to enhance the cutting edge. First of all, you require to slip the knife in and then pull it out nicely from the block. If you want the blade to be sharper than the other you can repeat the process over and over until you achieve your ideal sharpness. Most importantly, the ceramic grinders are mainly for sharpening only honing as they wear out easily when used on such jobs. So, you should look for another strategy for raising the sharpness apart from purchasing new sharpeners for the block.

2. How does self-sharpening knife block work?

Knife blocks in self-sharpening products consist of ceramic rods or grinders which move against the knives when you are placing or withdrawing knives from their slots. While this method helps to correct the angle of the blade once more, this means that it cannot replace manual stropping in case you employ the cutlery constantly. Still, the technology enables you to extend the time it will take before you need to sharpen the knives again.

Image Source: Unsplash.com

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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