No knife sharpens itself. In a “self-sharpening” set, the block does the work: ceramic sharpeners sit inside some slots and touch up the edge every time a knife goes in or out, or a separate sharpener is built into the block for whenever you want it. Either way, your knives stay usable without you ever learning a whetstone.
Most home cooks never sharpen at all, and a dull knife slips instead of biting, so a block that keeps edges working is the easiest fix I know. It has limits, though. The slots only suit straight edges, they remove a little metal each time (the pull-through sharpeners some blocks hide take off more), and the knives themselves still matter more than the block.
My pick is the Premier by Calphalon 15-piece with SharpIN, the best-known self-sharpening system paired with full tang knives. For real sharpening rather than gentle honing, the Ninja NeverDull 14-piece is the most capable system here, and the HENCKELS Statement 14-piece is the set you can put in the dishwasher.
My Top 5 Self-Sharpening Knife Sets
Calphalon’s SharpIN is the self-sharpening system most people have heard of, and this newer Premier version is the one I’d put on my counter. The spring-loaded ceramic sharpeners touch up the edge every time you use a knife, and the bolstered, full tang knives feel more solid than most block sets.
Ninja takes a different approach: instead of passive slots, a lever on the side of the block swings a stone sharpening wheel across the blade at a fixed angle. It’s the closest thing to proper sharpening without learning a whetstone, and the set includes a boning knife too.
For a family kitchen where knives go in the dishwasher no matter what anyone says, this is the set I’d choose. HENCKELS lists the knives as dishwasher safe, the ceramic honing wheels sit in the slots, and serrated knives have their own plain slots.
If you want the Calphalon system for less, this is how I’d get it. The knives have a nonstick coating and a ridge along the blade that helps food fall away, and the labeled handles mean you always grab the right one.
For a modern kitchen full of stainless appliances, this KitchenAid set matches the look. The forged knives use Japanese steel, the handles have a satin stainless finish, and the block has a sharpener built in for quick touch-ups.
Self-Sharpening Knife Sets Compared
| Set | Sharpening method | Kitchen knives | Steak knives | Dishwasher | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier by Calphalon 15-Piece | Spring-loaded ceramic sharpeners in the slots | Chef 8″, santoku 5″, utility 6″, serrated utility 6″, paring 3.5″ | 8 | Not stated | Most home cooks |
| Ninja NeverDull 14-Piece | Lever-operated stone sharpening wheel | Chef 8″, bread 8″, santoku 5″, boning 5″, utility 5″, paring 3.5″ | 6 | Not stated | Real sharpening, made easy |
| HENCKELS Statement 14-Piece | Ceramic honing wheels in the slots | Chef 8″, bread 8″, santoku 7″, prep 5″, serrated utility 5″, paring 3″ | 6 | Yes | Dishwasher households |
| Calphalon 13-Piece Nonstick | SharpIN ceramic sharpeners in the slots | Nonstick-coated knives, labeled handles | Not listed | Not stated | Calphalon system for less |
| KitchenAid Gourmet 15-Piece | Sharpener built into the block | Chef 8″, slicing 8″, santoku 5″, serrated utility 5.5″, utility 4.5″, paring 3.5″, serrated paring 3.5″ | 6 | Top rack (hand wash recommended) | Stainless kitchens |
1. Premier by Calphalon 15-Piece Set with SharpIN: Best Overall
Who it’s for: home cooks who never sharpen their knives and want them to stay sharp with no extra effort.
Calphalon’s SharpIN blocks are the best-known self-sharpening sets, and I covered the older Classic version in my Calphalon self-sharpening review. The Premier set is the newer generation. Its ceramic sharpeners are spring-loaded, so they press gently against the blade and glide along the full length of the edge each time a knife goes in or comes out.
The knives are a step up from typical block sets. Each has a bolster and a full tang (the steel runs through the whole handle), which gives a solid, balanced feel, and the contoured handles are comfortable for long prep. You get an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 5-inch santoku, straight and serrated 6-inch utility knives, a paring knife, eight steak knives and shears.
Two things to know. Only the straight-edged kitchen knives go in the sharpening slots; Calphalon says the serrated knives, steak knives and shears must not. And as with any self-sharpening block, constant honing removes a little steel over the years. I see that as a fair trade for knives that are always ready, especially for cooks who would otherwise never sharpen at all.
Key specs
- Includes: 8″ chef’s, 5″ santoku, 6″ utility, 6″ serrated utility, 3.5″ paring, eight steak knives, shears, block
- Sharpening: spring-loaded ceramic sharpeners in the straight-edge slots
- Knives: stainless steel, bolstered, full tang
- Handles: contoured, ergonomic
Pros
- Sharpens with every use, no effort required
- Solid full tang knives
- Generous set with eight steak knives
Cons
- Serrated knives and steak knives aren’t sharpened
- No bread knife in the set
My verdict: the most convenient way to keep a full set of knives sharp, and the one I’d recommend first. If you bake bread often, budget for a separate bread knife or look at the Ninja.
2. Ninja NeverDull 14-Piece Knife System: Best Sharpening System
Who it’s for: cooks who want genuinely sharp knives, not just maintained ones, without learning to sharpen by hand.
The ceramic slots in most self-sharpening blocks are really honing tools: they keep a good edge in shape. Ninja’s NeverDull system is closer to real sharpening: you swipe a lever on the outside of the block, and a stone sharpening wheel engages the blade at a set angle and pressure. It’s quick, and you decide when to do it instead of the block doing it every time.
The knives are forged from German stainless steel with full tang construction, and the set is well chosen: 8-inch chef’s and bread knives, a 5-inch santoku, a 5-inch boning knife, a utility knife, a paring knife, six steak knives and shears. A boning knife is unusual in a block like this and handy for anyone who trims chicken or pork.
My reservations: it costs more than the Calphalon, and the block is bulky on the counter. Because the sharpening is more aggressive than a ceramic slot, I’d only use it when a knife actually feels dull, not after every meal.
Key specs
- Includes: 8″ chef’s, 8″ bread, 5″ santoku, 5″ boning, 5″ utility, 3.5″ paring, six steak knives, shears, block
- Sharpening: NeverDull lever with a stone sharpening wheel, fixed angle and pressure
- Knives: forged German stainless steel, full tang
Pros
- Real sharpening, not just honing
- Includes a bread knife and a boning knife
- You control when to sharpen
Cons
- Higher price
- Large block
- Over-sharpening wastes steel if used too often
My verdict: the best choice if your goal is sharp knives rather than just convenient ones. Cooks who want zero thought should stay with the Calphalon.
3. HENCKELS Statement 14-Piece Self-Sharpening Set: Best Dishwasher-Safe
Who it’s for: busy households that load everything into the dishwasher and want knives that cope with it.
Most knife makers ask you to hand wash, and I always agree with them. But in some kitchens, knives are going in the dishwasher anyway, and this HENCKELS set is designed with that in mind: the brand lists the knives as dishwasher safe. If that’s your priority, my guide to dishwasher-safe knife sets has more options.
The self-sharpening slots have built-in ceramic honing wheels that work as knives are stored and removed, while serrated knives go in separate plain slots, since their teeth don’t need it. The set is broad: chef’s, santoku, prep, bread, serrated utility and paring knives, plus six steak knives and shears in a hardwood block. The blades are single-piece stamped stainless steel, which keeps them light, and the triple-rivet handles have a familiar, comfortable shape.
The downsides: stamped blades feel less substantial than the forged knives in the Calphalon or Ninja sets. And the dishwasher remains hard on edges, so even with the honing slots, these will stay sharper if you wash them by hand when you can.
Key specs
- Includes: 8″ chef’s, 7″ santoku, 5″ prep, 8″ bread, 5″ serrated utility, 3″ paring, six 4.5″ steak knives, shears, hardwood block
- Sharpening: ceramic honing wheels in the self-sharpening slots
- Knives: single-piece precision-stamped stainless steel, triple-rivet handles
- Dishwasher safe according to HENCKELS
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Includes a bread knife and six steak knives
- Light, easy-to-handle knives
Cons
- Stamped blades feel lighter weight
- Dishwasher use still dulls edges faster
My verdict: the right self-sharpening set for a dishwasher household. If you hand wash anyway, the Calphalon Premier gives you sturdier knives.
4. Calphalon 13-Piece Nonstick Set with SharpIN Block: Best Value
Who it’s for: cooks on a tighter budget who still want Calphalon’s self-sharpening block, and anyone tired of potato slices sticking to the blade.
This set brings the same SharpIN ceramic slots to a lower price. Each time you remove or replace a knife, the ceramic sharpener inside its slot hones the edge. The handles are labeled, so you can see which knife is which while they’re in the block, a small detail I appreciate in any set.
The knives themselves have a nonstick coating and a ridge running along the blade, both meant to help sliced food fall away rather than cling. Calphalon describes them as single-piece forged with a full tang, which is a good build for the money.
The catch is the coating. Nonstick finishes can wear over time, especially if the knives go in the dishwasher or get scraped across a board, and a worn coating looks tired. The set also has fewer pieces than the 15-piece options.
Key specs
- 13 pieces with block
- Sharpening: SharpIN ceramic sharpeners inside the slots
- Knives: single piece of forged steel, full tang, nonstick coating, food release ridge
- Labeled handles
Pros
- Calphalon’s self-sharpening system for less
- Food releases easily from the blade
- Labeled handles
Cons
- Nonstick coating can wear
- Smaller set than the others
My verdict: the cheapest way into a proper SharpIN block. If you can stretch to it, the Premier set’s uncoated knives will age better.
5. KitchenAid Gourmet 15-Piece Set with Built-in Sharpener: Best Stainless Handles
Who it’s for: people who want a sleek, all-metal look on the counter and a sharpener that’s always within reach.
KitchenAid is better known for stand mixers, but its knife sets suit the same kitchens. The knives are forged from imported Japanese steel and finished with satin stainless steel handles, so they match stainless appliances nicely. The block is wood with a sharpener built into it, which makes touching up an edge a five-second job.
The selection leans toward everyday prep: chef’s and slicing knives, a santoku, straight and serrated utility knives, plain and serrated paring knives, six steak knives and shears. A slicing knife is a nice inclusion for carving roasts and ham.
I have two reservations. KitchenAid doesn’t explain much about how its sharpener works, so I’d treat it as a quick touch-up tool rather than a replacement for a proper sharpening now and then. And all-metal handles look great but are smoother than textured or wood handles when your hands are wet, so take care with oily jobs.
Key specs
- Includes: 8″ chef’s, 8″ slicing, 5″ santoku, 5.5″ serrated utility, 4.5″ utility, 3.5″ paring, 3.5″ serrated paring, six 4.5″ steak knives, shears, block
- Sharpening: sharpener built into the wood block
- Knives: forged, imported Japanese steel; satin stainless steel handles
- Top-rack dishwasher safe; hand washing recommended
Pros
- Modern stainless look
- Includes a slicing knife
- Sharpener always at hand
Cons
- Little detail on the sharpener
- Metal handles can be slippery when wet
My verdict: a stylish, well-priced set for stainless kitchens. If you want sharpening that happens automatically, the Calphalon blocks do more of the work.
How Self-Sharpening Knife Blocks Work
There are two main designs, and it’s worth knowing which one you’re buying. For a deeper look at the mechanics, see my guide to how self-sharpening knives work.
Ceramic sharpeners in the slots
Calphalon and HENCKELS place small ceramic sharpeners inside the slots meant for straight-edged knives. As the blade slides in or out, the ceramic rubs along the edge and realigns it, a bit like a few strokes on a honing rod. It’s gentle and automatic, which keeps a good edge working for a long time.
A sharpener built into the block
Ninja’s NeverDull and KitchenAid’s block include a sharpener you use on demand. Ninja’s stone wheel removes more metal and restores a properly dull edge, while slot honing only maintains one. On-demand systems give you more control and more sharpening power.
What they can’t do
Neither type works on serrated knives, which is why bread and steak knives go in plain slots. Neither replaces a professional sharpening or a whetstone if a blade is badly damaged. And because every pass removes a tiny amount of steel, knives in self-sharpening blocks wear down a little faster over many years.
Choosing the Right Self-Sharpening Set
Honing or real sharpening
If you want knives that never feel dull and you won’t think about maintenance, choose slot sharpeners (Calphalon, HENCKELS). If you want the sharpest possible edge and don’t mind pulling a lever now and then, choose Ninja.
The knives still matter most
A sharpener can’t make a poor knife good. Look for full tang knives and comfortable handles, and check that the set includes the knives you’ll use, especially a bread knife, which some self-sharpening sets skip. If a plain block without a sharpener appeals more, my picks for the best knife sets under $100 show what a smaller budget buys.
Dishwasher or hand wash
If knives will go in the dishwasher no matter what, buy a set designed for it, like the HENCKELS. Otherwise, hand wash and dry every knife before it goes back into the block, since moisture trapped in a slot isn’t good for steel or wood.
Counter space
Self-sharpening blocks with 13 to 15 pieces are big. Measure the space under your cabinets before ordering, especially for the Ninja.
FAQ
Are self-sharpening knife blocks worth it?
For most home cooks, yes. They keep knives usable with no effort, which is better than the dull knives most kitchens live with. Keen cooks who already sharpen by hand gain less. I weigh the pros and cons in are self-sharpening knife blocks worth it.
Do self-sharpening blocks ruin knives?
No, but they do wear them a little faster, because each pass removes a tiny amount of metal. Over many years, a knife used daily in a self-sharpening block may lose some blade width. For most people, the convenience is worth it.
Can I put other knives in a self-sharpening block?
Only if they match the slot. Calphalon’s slots are designed for its own straight-edged knives; other knives may not fit the sharpener angle or the slot shape. Serrated knives should never go in sharpening slots.
Do I still need to sharpen knives in a self-sharpening block?
Occasionally. Slot sharpeners maintain an edge but can’t fully restore a very dull or chipped one. A proper sharpening every year or two keeps them at their best.
How do I clean a self-sharpening knife block?
Turn it upside down and shake out crumbs regularly, and wipe the outside with a damp cloth. Never soak the block or put it in the dishwasher, and always dry knives completely before storing them.
Final Verdict
The Premier by Calphalon 15-piece set with SharpIN is my pick for most people: solid full tang knives and sharpeners that work every time you use a knife. If you want real sharpening power, the Ninja NeverDull 14-piece is the most capable system. And for dishwasher households, the HENCKELS Statement 14-piece is the practical choice.
Prefer a classic block without built-in sharpeners? See my picks for the best knife sets under $200 or the wider list of knife sets I recommend.
Gary Portman is the founder and main author of Knivesadvice.com. With his extensive knowledge and experience, he is committed to assisting people in choosing the perfect knife for their needs. Through his articles, Gary shares valuable insights on various aspects of knives. With his expertise, readers can make informed decisions and find a knife that is tailored to their preferences and requirements. You can find more info about Gary here.