Are Ninja Knife Sets Any Good?
Ninja knife sets can suit home cooks who want German stainless steel knives and sharpening built into the block. The right set depends on how many knives you need and how much counter space you can spare.
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Ninja knife sets can suit home cooks who want German stainless steel blades and a sharpener built into the block. The right choice depends on the knives you need and how much counter space you can spare.
These sets pair everyday knives with a lever-operated sharpener. Ninja says its sharpening wheel engages the blade at a set angle, while its sharpness claims depend on using and maintaining the knives as directed.
Are Ninja knives good for everyday cooking?
Ninja knife sets cover common kitchen tasks, with a chef knife, paring knife, and other shapes depending on the set. German stainless steel is a shared feature across the four options here.
The included assortment matters more than the piece count. Some sets include more steak knives, while others add a bread, boning, slicing, or Santoku knife.
If you're unsure which shapes you'll use, start with our plain-English knife set buying guide.
The 14-piece system also includes 6 steak knives, shears, and a block with NeverDull technology. That mix can suit a household that wants steak knives alongside its main prep knives.
The 17-piece set adds a slicing knife, 8 steak knives, shears, and a built-in sharpener. Consider its larger assortment if you expect to use those extra knives.
The 10-piece set includes shears, a storage block, and a removable sharpener. Its assortment may suit you if you mainly reach for a few core knives.
The 11-piece set includes a chef knife, bread knife, Santoku, paring knife, 4 steak knives, shears, and a modular block. Its removable parts can help you adjust how much counter space the block uses.
What does the NeverDull sharpener do?
NeverDull puts a sharpening wheel in the storage block, so you can sharpen a compatible knife at its storage spot. Swipe the lever on the outside of the block to engage the wheel.
Ninja says the wheel applies an angle and pressure intended to restore the blade's edge. This setup may appeal if you want a sharpening tool stored with the knives.
The 14-piece and 17-piece sets have built-in sharpeners. The 10-piece and 11-piece sets have removable sharpening components, so you can store the sharpener on or away from the block.
For more options with built-in sharpening, see our guide to knife sets with a sharpener. To compare Ninja's NeverDull models by size and included tools, read which Ninja NeverDull knife set to buy.
Is a built-in sharpener useful for a home cook?
It can help if you want a sharpening tool stored with the knives and are comfortable using a lever. You won't need to find a separate sharpener before using the system.
It may be less useful if you already sharpen knives another way or don't want a sharpening module taking up block space. For a broader look at knife maintenance and terminology, read our kitchen knife basics guide.
Which Ninja set fits your kitchen?
Choose by the knives you need and the space available for the block. A larger piece count isn't automatically a better match if several included knives would stay unused.
Should you choose the NeverDull 14-Piece System?
Choose the 14-piece system if you want several prep knives, 6 steak knives, shears, and a built-in sharpener. It includes an 8-inch chef knife, an 8-inch bread knife, a 5-inch Santoku, a 5-inch utility knife, a 5-inch boning knife, and a 3.5-inch paring knife.
The block measures 14.37 x 7.45 x 12.63 inches. Leave room for the block and lever where you plan to store it.
Consider another set if you want fewer steak knives or less counter space devoted to a block. This assortment is broader than a basic chef-and-paring pairing.
Who should choose the Space Saving 10-Piece set?
Choose the Space Saving set if removable sharpening hardware and a smaller footprint matter to you. It includes an 8-inch chef knife, a 5-inch Santoku, a 3.5-inch paring knife, 4 steak knives, shears, a block, and a removable sharpener.
Ninja says removing the sharpener saves up to 35% more space than its K12010 block. You can store the sharpener off the block when you want a smaller setup.
Skip it if you want a bread knife or boning knife in the set. Those aren't included.
Is the 17-Piece Block Set worth considering?
Consider the 17-piece set if you want a broad collection, including a slicing knife and 8 steak knives. It includes chef, bread, Santoku, slicing, boning, utility, and paring knives, along with shears and a built-in sharpener.
That range covers more specific tasks than the 14-piece system. Its block measures 14.37 x 7.45 x 12.63 inches, so make sure you have room for it.
Skip it if you prefer a compact set or don't expect to use the extra steak knives and slicing knife. Compare the included shapes with how many knives you really need before buying.
When does the removable 11-piece set make sense?
Choose the 11-piece set if you want to remove both the sharpener and steak knife modules to save counter space. It includes an 8-inch chef knife, an 8-inch bread knife, a 5-inch Santoku, a 3.5-inch paring knife, 4 steak knives, shears, a modular block, and a removable sharpener.
Ninja says removing the sharpener and steak knife modules saves over 45% more space compared with its K12010 block. The set comes in Forest Sage.
Skip it if you want a boning or utility knife included. Neither is part of its assortment.
What are the limits of Ninja knife sets?
The key trade-offs are the block's counter space, the pieces you'll use, and the sharpening routine. A large set can include knives that don't match your regular cooking.
The sharpening system requires you to use the lever as directed. Ninja's claims about staying sharp for 10 years or more depend on its use and maintenance instructions.
Avoid choosing by piece count alone. Check whether the set includes the chef knife, paring knife, bread knife, or steak knives you want, then measure the space available in your kitchen.
Which Ninja knife set should you pick?
Pick the 14-piece system for a broad assortment with 6 steak knives, or the 17-piece set for a slicing knife and 8 steak knives. Choose the Space Saving 10-piece set for a smaller selection with a removable sharpener, or the 11-piece set if removable modules and a Forest Sage finish suit your kitchen.
Compare the included knives with your routine and check your available counter space. Our guide to storing kitchen knives safely can help you plan where a block or other storage method will fit.
Frequently asked questions
Are Ninja knives good for everyday cooking?
Ninja sets offer German stainless steel blades, common kitchen knife shapes, and storage blocks with built-in or removable sharpeners. They can be a practical fit if you want sharpening close at hand.
Compare each set's included knives with your usual cooking tasks, since piece counts include steak knives, shears, and storage parts.
Do Ninja NeverDull knives sharpen themselves?
No. NeverDull is a sharpening system in the block, and you activate it by swiping a lever as directed.
Ninja says the sharpening wheel engages the blade at an angle and pressure intended to restore its edge.
The system still depends on following the brand's use and care directions.
Which Ninja knife set takes up the least counter space?
The Space Saving 10-Piece set is designed to reduce its footprint when you remove the sharpener from the block. Ninja says that configuration saves up to 35% space compared with its K12010 block.
Measure your counter and cabinet area, and check the block's dimensions before choosing a spot.
Are Ninja knife sets dishwasher safe?
Care instructions for dishwasher use aren't available here, so check the guidance for your exact set before cleaning it. Dry knives promptly after washing.
Keeping sharp blades separate from other utensils can help prevent contact during cleanup.
