8 Best Self Sharpening Knives in 2022 [Review & Buyer’s Guide]

Did you know that there are knives that sharpen themselves with little to no effort on your side? That’s right! If you opt for one of these knives, you’ll no longer have to worry about sharpening every single knife in your set.

Yet, with so many options on the market, finding the best self-sharpening knives can be very tricky, especially since you can’t judge their quality unless you use them.

But worry not; I’ve done the hard work for you and tried and tested 8 of the top self-sharpening knife sets. With a decade and a half’s worth of experience in this industry, I’ve used and tested hundreds of knives from a wide range of manufacturers.

From the knives in this guide, I’d personally recommend the Farberware Self-Sharpening 13-Piece set. The set features very durable blades, the sharpeners always work as expected, and it has all the knives you might need without setting you back too much.

What Is a Self-Sharpening Knife Set?

As the name implies, the knives in these sets don’t need to be sharpened since they’re protected against damage with a knife block that sharpens them for you.

They’re more convenient than standard knives because you don’t need to worry about when you should sharpen them.

How Does a Self Sharpening Knife Set Work?

In a self-sharpening knife set, the sheath of the knife block contains hardening steel blades that sharpen your knife’s blade every time you remove or insert it.

Here Are the Self Sharpening Knives Review – Tested & Reviewed

1. Farberware Self-Sharpening 13-Piece

The Farberware 13-Piece Knife Cutlery Set integrates the patent-pending EdgeKeeper Technology, encompassing built-in ceramic sharpener slots which automatically sharpen your knives’ blades when you insert or withdraw them.

The blades are made of high-carbon stainless steel, which is sharp, hard, and possesses top-notch corrosion resistance properties. And the handles are designed to maximize comfort by seamlessly accommodating your hand.

The set includes all the kitchen knives you might need for chopping, dicing, and slicing. It comprises an 8-inch chef knife, an 8-inch slicing knife, a 5-inch Santoku knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, kitchen shears, six 4.5-inch steak knives, a 5.5-inch serrated utility knife, and a self-sharpening storage block. 

It’s also worth noting that this set comes with a lifetime limited warranty against manufacturing defects, including materials and workmanship. 

On a side note, however, these knives must be hand-washed, as putting them in the dishwasher might cause them to rust.

2. Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening Stainless Steel 15-Piece Knife

The Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening Stainless Steel 15-Piece Knife Set offers high-carbon stainless steel blades with excellent sharpness and edge retention capabilities. 

In addition, the angled, built-in ceramic sharpening slots keep your blades consistently sharp for smoother cuts.

All the knives in this set flaunt a full tang design, providing you with a high level of stability and comfort even when cutting thick pieces of meat.

Moreover, the handles feature an ergonomic design with an aesthetically pleasing brushed semi-matte finish. The knives also have small labels at the bottom of the handles for easier identification. 

On that note, the set’s 15 pieces include an 8-inch chef’s knife, an 8-inch bread knife, a 6-inch utility knife, a 7-inch Santoku knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, and eight steak knives.

You also get a pair of kitchen shears and a stylish knife-sharpening wood block. However, since the block is made of softwood, its durability is questionable.

3. HENCKELS Graphite 20-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Set

Coming across a self-sharpening knife set with 20 pieces is no everyday occurrence, and the HENCKELS Graphite 20-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Set is one of the most well-rounded knife sets out there. 

Of course, this comes at a higher price tag, but with the number of knives you’re getting, it’s a great value for money. 

The set features stainless steel single-piece precision-stamped blades that provide stability and ensure that the blades will last for years to come.

Further, the blade edges are serrated, which makes cutting thick foods way less challenging.

And I really like the triple-rivet handles that provide stability without compromising comfort thanks to the curved design.

It’s also worth noting that the slots are labeled for organized placement in the knife block. And the block sports a brushed stainless-steel cap and a stained ash wood base combo that’s both stylish and durable.

The set includes a 3-inch paring knife, a 4-inch paring knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, a 5.5-inch prep knife, a 6-inch utility knife, a 5.5-inch boning knife, a 7-inch Santoku knife, an 8-inch bread knife, an 8-inch Carving knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, and eight 4.5-inch steak knives. It also comes with a pair of kitchen shears.

4. Calphalon 321

The Calphalon 321 knife set features built-in ceramic sharpeners, ensuring consistently sharp knife edges no matter how often you use them.

Additionally, the knives utilize a full tang design that prevents the handle from separating from the blade overtime. It also allows for better balance and stability.

Made of high-carbon no-stain steel, the blades are sharp and durable while maintaining their edges for prolonged periods.

The knife block is one of the best I’ve seen so far; it’s made of blonde rubberwood, and the slots are made of stainless steel.

The handles are triple-riveted, ensuring a firm grip coupled with the contoured design. They’re also labeled, so you can always place each knife in its correct slot.

The cherry on top is the lifetime warranty which gives you peace of mind in case you discover a manufacturing defect.

The set pieces include a 6-inch utility knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 5-inch Santoku knife, a 3.5-inch Parer, and a pair of kitchen shears.

One downside here is that the blades may rust if left wet for a while, so keep that in mind. 

5. CopperKnife Set

If you don’t need a large variety of knives, consider taking a look at this 7-piece CopperKnife Set, which comes with a chef’s knife, a paring knife, a bread knife, a carving knife, and a utility knife. 

The stainless steel blades are durable and do a great job of resisting corrosion. They’re also pretty sharp out of the box, and with a Rockwell Hardness of 58-60, their hardness is unmatched in this price range.

Featuring a built-in sharpener, the copper-finished knife block sharpens your knives while adding a touch of style to your countertop. 

And speaking of aesthetics, the black and copper handles look stylish while also providing a sturdy grip.

The only downside here is that these knives aren’t dishwasher safe.

6. Sabatier Self-Sharpening Edgekeeper Pro 12-Piece

The Sabatier Self-Sharpening Edgekeeper Pro 12-Piece set features self-sharpening sheaths in all of the block slots except the steak knife ones. 

Designed to maintain their edge and stay razor-sharp, the high carbon stainless steel blades are hard, durable, and corrosion-resistant. However, keep in mind that they’re somewhat thin, so using them to cut stiff foods might require a bit more effort.

This set includes an 8-inch chef knife, a 4.5-inch fine edge utility knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, an 8-inch slicer knife, a 5-inch chef knife with kullens, and six 4.5-inch steak knives. 

You also get a matte black Edgekeeper self-sharpening block that’s made of natural hardwood. And the set is available in three colors: black, grey, and red.

In addition, this self-sharpening set from Sabatier utilizes triple-riveted stainless steel handles that provide you with utter comfort and stability. 

However, one thing to keep in mind is that these knives aren’t dishwasher safe, so you must hand wash them after every use.

7. Calphalon Contemporary Self-Sharpening 20-Piece

Just like the HENCKELS knife set, the Calphalon Contemporary Self-Sharpening 20-Piece set offers a wide range of tools for all purposes. 

It incorporates a 4.5-inch paring knife, a 5-inch Santoku knife, an 8-inch slicer, a 6-inch fork, a 6-inch utility knife, a 7-inch Santoku knife, a 5-inch boning knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, an 8-inch bread knife, a 5.5-inch bagel knife, eight steak knives, a sharpening knife block and a pair of kitchen shears. 

In addition, the block has built-in ceramic sharpeners that sharpen the blades every time you pull out your knife.

And featuring fully forged high-carbon, no-stain German steel, the knives are hard, sharp, and have excellent edge retention. Also, the full-tang design keeps the knives stable when cutting and prevents premature signs of wear.

The handles are slightly curved to provide the utmost comfort, and they’re labeled thus easily identifiable.

The only thing I dislike about this set is that it’s quite pricey.

8. McCook MC29 Knife Set

The McCook MC29 Knife Set features high-carbon stainless steel blades that are tarnish-resistant and rust-resistant, thus guaranteeing a top-class cutting and chopping experience.

Moreover, the blades’ taper grind edge technology ensures consistent sharpness that allows for accurate cutting. Just make sure that you don’t wash the knives in the dishwasher to maintain their sharpness.

The handles are comfortable and won’t strain your hand with extended usage. I also appreciate the self-sharpening hardwood knife block that makes storing and organizing the set a convenient experience. 

The 15-piece set includes a 3.5-inch paring knife, an 8-inch chef knife, a 5-inch Santoku knife, an 8-inch slicing knife, a 5.5-inch serrated utility knife, a 5-inch utility knife, six 4.5-inch steak knives, and two kitchen shears.

Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Self Sharpening Knife Set?

Knife sets are long-term investments. So, there are some factors that you must keep in mind to make sure that whichever set you buy is suitable for your needs. 

Number of Knives

This is an occasion where I like to think that more is more; the more knives in your set, the more bang you get for your buck. 

You might think that you don’t need lots of knives, but in day-to-day use, you’d appreciate that your knife set is complete. Some sets can have up to 15 pieces, so consider getting one of those.

Quality of Knife Steel

High-quality stainless steel stays sharp and rust-free, and its quality is primarily determined by its blend. The higher the carbon, chromium, and nickel amounts in the blend are, the more durable and functional the blade will be.

Handle

Ideally, the knife’s handle should be designed to accommodate the natural contours of your hand to maximize comfort in extended use. 

The handle should also provide a solid grip so you can cut food faster and more efficiently. 

Knife Block

Most self-sharpening knife sets come with wooden knife blocks. Some have a natural wood look and feel, while others have a matte finish. The matte finish is more sleek and durable, but of course, nothing beats the authentic looks of natural wood.

Warranty

Many manufacturers provide a warranty card with their knife sets, but you need to take a look at what the warranty actually covers. 

Does it cover manufacturing defects only? And what happens if the knives fail to self-sharpen over time? Again, these are things to look for in the warranty’s terms and conditions. 

Maintenance

You don’t have to worry about manually sharpening your blades in any of the previous sets. But when it comes to cleaning, some knife sets, like Serbian chef knives, are dishwasher safe, while others aren’t. 

Non-dishwasher-safe knives must be hand washed with soap and water, then dried immediately, so keep that in mind. 

Verdict

To recap, the Farberware13-Piece Set is arguably the best self-sharpening set on the market, thanks to its high-quality blades, durable handles, and attractive price tag. 

You might also consider going for the HENCKELS Graphite if you need more knives. 

The McCook MC29 Knife Set, on the other hand, would be a solid choice for those on a tight budget; its blades are dependable and durable.