Which Ninja NeverDull Knife Set Should You Buy?

On this page (9 sections)

1. Which Ninja NeverDull knife set should you buy?
2. What comes in the Ninja NeverDull 14-piece set?
3. Is the 10-piece Ninja set enough for everyday cooking?
4. When does the 17-piece set make sense?
5. Should you choose a removable sharpener?
6. What does the 12-piece Ninja NeverDull set leave out?
7. How should you compare the knife selections?
8. Are Ninja NeverDull knife sets a good fit for you?
9. Which Ninja NeverDull set is right for your kitchen?

The Ninja NeverDull 14-Piece Knife System is the best starting point for most kitchens: it pairs a built-in sharpener with 6 steak knives and a broad set of prep knives. Pick the 10-piece set for a smaller selection, or the 17-piece set for more knife types and 8 steak knives.

The sets differ most in knife selection, steak knife storage and how much counter space the block takes. The right choice depends on what you cut often and where you plan to keep the block.

If you're comparing built-in sharpening systems from other brands, see our Ninja NeverDull vs Henckels comparison. For a wider overview, our kitchen knife set buying guide explains which knives earn space in a home kitchen.

Which Ninja NeverDull knife set should you buy?

Choose the 14-piece set for a balanced mix, the 10-piece set for a smaller knife selection, or the 17-piece set for the most knife types and steak knives. The 11-piece model is a useful fit if modular storage and a removable sharpener matter most.

Ninja describes the sharpening technology in these sets as designed to maintain a sharp edge over time when used and maintained as directed. The specific knife mix and block layout remain the main differences to weigh.

What comes in the Ninja NeverDull 14-piece set?

The 14-piece set gives you 6 prep knives, 6 steak knives, shears and a block with a built-in sharpener. It covers common cutting jobs without adding the slicing knife and extra steak knives found in the 17-piece set.

Its prep knives are an 8-inch chef knife, 8-inch bread knife, 5-inch santoku, 5-inch boning knife, 5-inch utility knife and 3.5-inch paring knife. That range makes it the most balanced option for cooks who want different blade shapes for bread, small trimming jobs and general prep.

The block's sharpener uses a lever on the outside, according to Ninja. The set has forged German stainless steel blades and a full-tang handle construction.

Choose it if you want variety without the largest set. If you rarely use a boning knife or prefer a smaller block, the 10-piece set trims the selection.

Is the 10-piece Ninja set enough for everyday cooking?

The 10-piece set is enough for simple everyday prep if you mainly use a chef knife, santoku and paring knife. It includes 4 steak knives and shears, but no bread or utility knife.

The sharpener can be used on or off the block, and the block can be kept on the counter without it. That flexibility may help when counter space is tight or you want to store the sharpener separately.

Ninja says the blades are German stainless steel and tested to over 400,000 cuts. Treat the 10-year sharpness guarantee as conditional on use and maintenance as directed.

Pick this set if you won't miss the extra knives. If you slice loaves often or want more than 4 steak knives, compare the 14-piece and 17-piece options before deciding.

When does the 17-piece set make sense?

The 17-piece set suits a kitchen that will use its extra knife types and 8 steak knives. Its 8-inch slicing knife adds an option for slicing larger foods, and its 7-inch santoku is longer than the santoku in the 14-piece set.

It also includes an 8-inch chef knife, 8-inch bread knife, 6-inch boning knife, 5-inch utility knife, 3.5-inch paring knife, shears and a block with built-in NeverDull sharpening.

The 17-piece count can sound appealing, but the extra pieces are most useful when you have storage space and a routine that uses them. Choose it for the slicing knife and larger steak knife supply, not just for a higher piece count.

If you need fewer knives, the 12-piece set keeps 6 steak knives while removing the bread and boning knives from the stated selection.

Should you choose a removable sharpener?

A removable sharpener helps when you want more control over the block's footprint. Both the 10-piece and 11-piece options let you remove the sharpener, while the 14-piece, 17-piece and 12-piece options have it built into the block.

The 11-piece set goes further by letting you remove both its sharpener and its steak knife module. Ninja says removing both can save over 45% more space compared with its K12010 block.

That 11-piece selection includes an 8-inch chef knife, 8-inch bread knife, 5-inch santoku, 3.5-inch paring knife, 4 steak knives and shears. Its steak knife module doubles as a serving tray, according to Ninja.

Pick the 11-piece set if modular storage is your priority. The 10-piece set is simpler if you want a removable sharpener but don't need a bread knife or the extra steak knife module.

What does the 12-piece Ninja NeverDull set leave out?

The 12-piece set keeps 6 steak knives but has a shorter list of prep knives than the 14-piece option. It includes a chef knife, santoku, utility knife and paring knife, plus shears, a built-in sharpener and block.

Choose it if you expect to use a chef knife, santoku and utility knife more often than a bread or boning knife. If you cut bread regularly or want a dedicated boning knife, the 14-piece set fills those gaps.

The 12-piece option has forged German stainless steel blades and a full-tang handle construction. Ninja describes its built-in sharpener as restoring the edge with a swipe of the outside lever.

This is the middle choice for buyers who want 6 steak knives but a focused prep set. Compare its knife mix with the 14-piece set before choosing by piece count alone.

How should you compare the knife selections?

Compare the knives you'll reach for every week, then treat steak knives and shears as separate needs. A set with more pieces does not automatically suit your routine better.

• Choose a chef knife for general chopping and slicing.
• Choose a bread knife if you regularly cut crusty loaves.
• Choose a santoku if you prefer its shorter, flatter cutting style.
• Choose a boning knife if you prepare meat that needs trimming around bones.
• Choose a utility knife for smaller tasks that feel awkward with a chef knife.
• Choose a paring knife for peeling and small, controlled cuts.
• Count steak knives based on how many people you serve at once.

If you're still deciding which knives matter, our guide to how many knives you need in a kitchen can help you avoid paying for pieces that will sit unused. You can also read about knife set basics before comparing blade shapes and block styles.

Are Ninja NeverDull knife sets a good fit for you?

Ninja NeverDull sets make sense if you want a block with sharpening built into the storage system. They may be less appealing if you prefer to store knives in a drawer or choose separate knives one at a time.

Consider these questions before you choose:

1. Which prep knives do you use most often?
2. How many steak knives do you need at one meal?
3. Is the block's counter footprint acceptable?
4. Would you use removable storage modules?
5. Are you comfortable following the care directions for the sharpening system?

Ninja says these sets are designed to stay sharp for 10 years or more when used and maintained as directed. That claim does not replace routine care, and it doesn't tell you which knife selection best fits your cooking.

For a closer look at the brand and its knife sets, read Are Ninja Knife Sets Any Good?. Our best knife sets with a built-in sharpener guide can also help if you're considering other brands.

Which Ninja NeverDull set is right for your kitchen?

Choose the 14-piece set for the broadest balanced selection, the 10-piece set for fewer knives and a removable sharpener, or the 17-piece set for more knife types and 8 steak knives. Pick the 11-piece model when modular storage is the deciding factor, or the 12-piece model if you want 6 steak knives with a shorter prep selection.

For other options built around a sharpening block, browse our sharpener knife sets guide. That comparison can help you decide whether Ninja's sharpening setup fits your kitchen routine.

Frequently asked questions

Which Ninja NeverDull knife set is best for most kitchens?

The Ninja NeverDull 14-Piece Knife System is a practical starting point for most kitchens because it includes a chef knife, bread knife, santoku, boning knife, utility knife, paring knife, 6 steak knives, shears and a built-in sharpener. Choose a different set if you need a smaller block or a larger knife selection.

What is the difference between the Ninja NeverDull 14-piece and 17-piece sets?

The 14-piece set has 6 steak knives and a 5-inch boning knife. The 17-piece set includes 8 steak knives, a 7-inch santoku, an 8-inch slicing knife and a 6-inch boning knife, along with the chef, bread, utility and paring knives, shears and built-in sharpener.

Which Ninja NeverDull set saves the most counter space?

The 11-piece set can save over 45% more counter space when its sharpener and steak knife modules are removed and stored in a drawer. The 10-piece set also has a removable sharpener, which Ninja says can reduce its footprint by up to 35% when removed.

Do Ninja NeverDull sets include steak knives?

Yes. The 10-piece and 11-piece sets include 4 steak knives, the 12-piece and 14-piece sets include 6, and the 17-piece set includes 8.

The 11-piece set stores its steak knives in a removable module; the other options have different block designs.

Can you sharpen Ninja NeverDull knives in the block?

Each of these sets includes NeverDull sharpening in or with its block. The 10-piece and 11-piece sets have removable sharpeners, while the 12-piece, 14-piece and 17-piece sets have a sharpener built into the block.

Follow Ninja's care directions for sharpening and maintenance.