Nothing cements a true culinary obsession quite like a fascination with knives. We realise how decidedly sadistic that sounds at first read, but the importance of sharp and easy-to-handle knives when it comes to cooking cannot be understated.
Whether you’re an avid home chef or a trained professional, you’ll likely be aware of the fact that proper knife skills are essential to improving and developing as a cook. It’s why there are dedicated classes offered at culinary schools across the globe which are compulsory if you’re enrolled in a full-time course. Knife skills are the foundation of cooking, and having a sharp, high-quality knife is the key to mastering this fundamental.
From enhancing efficiency to changing the texture of the food that you’re cooking, the way you chop, slice and dice ingredients during preparation has the power to transform a dish. This is where the Ninja StayShap Knife Block comes in.
An innovative kitchen accessory designed by the beloved purveyors of air fryers and other essential kitchen appliances, this premium knife set with an integrated sharpener is said to stay sharp for 10 years with a recommended sharpening routine of once a fortnight, or simply when you notice a change in cutting performance.
We put the surprisingly value-for-money piece of kit to the test. Keep scrolling for an in-depth review.
Buy now: Ninja StaySharp Knife Block, Five Piece Set- £169.99, Ninja
Key specifications
- Materials: forged, rust-resistant German stainless steel
- Handle type: chef-approved ergonomic handle with premium half-bolster for full-length sharpening
- Sharpening slot: Large Handle - insert into upper sharpening slot (chef, carving knives), Small Handle - insert into lower sharpening slot (utility, paring knives)
- Sharpening guide: to maintain optimal sharpness, follow the sharpening steps every two weeks
- Guarantee: 10 years
- Handwash only
Included accessories
- 1 x 20cm Chef Knife (vegetables, fruit, protein, herbs, nuts)
- 1 x 20cm Bread Knife (bread, tomatoes, citrus fruit)
- 1 x 20cm Carving/Slicing Knife (cooked protein, vegetables, fruit)
- 1 x 13cm Utility Knife (vegetables, fruit, protein)
- 1 x 9cm Paring Knife (small vegetables, small fruit)
- 1 x Knife Block
- Quick Start Guide
- Use and Care Guide
Design
Though not listed in the product specifications, it appears that the knife block itself is made from a lightweight plastic material with chic stainless steel elements.
The aesthetic of the Ninja StaySharp knife block isn’t exactly something to write home about, but it’s certainly not an eyesore. I mean this without criticism, the overall appearance of the kitchen accessory is just fine. I would’ve probably preferred a nice wooden exterior, but we can’t have it all.
I did particularly love how the bottom of the knife block has powerful, miniature suction cups which keep the accessory in place on the kitchen counter, as well as the angular and almost diagonal shape of the block which makes it easy to slide into an inconspicuous free corner in the kitchen.
Knife set
Unlike the block in which it’s housed, the included five-piece knife set is a delight to look at and hold. Perfectly weighted, complete with ergonomic handles and realised in a chic minimal black and stainless steel colourway, they’re quality kitchen knives for an amateur home chef to enjoy. The precision blades offer a 22-degree cutting angle for easy, comfortable, and butter-smooth slicing with optimum sharpness.
Importantly, the knives are incredibly sharp straight out of the box, so I wouldn’t recommend plunging them straight into the sharpener.
Functionality
Typical knife sharpeners are realised in a tabletop, v-groove design. By contrast, the knife sharpener attached to the Ninja knife block appears to function with the help of a stone sharpening wheel. It’s incredibly important to note that, when you insert the knife into the sharpening slot, you must hold it in place before beginning the sharpening process. One terrifying, albeit five-star review on the Ninja website alerted me to this potential danger.
First, before inserting the knife, ensure the lever is at the bottom. For the sharpening process to work, the lever must travel the full length of the sharpening slot and then be returned all the way back down to the bottom. Ninja suggests doing this 10 times before rinsing and drying the knife in question. Obviously, serrated knives can’t be sharpened.
Despite the fact that the knives arrived sharp, I gave the largest chef’s knife a few swipes in the sharpener to get a feel for the device. There are two internal slots – one for larger knives and one for the smaller ones. Though you can’t entirely see what’s happening, it definitely sounds exactly like a classic sharpener would – which I took as a good sign. Overall, it appears the Ninja StaySharp does exactly what it says on the tin.
Does it work with other knives?
Sadly, the main drawback of the StaySharp knife block is the fact that it is only designed to be used with Ninja straight-edge knives. If you do choose to attempt to sharpen a different knife, you run the risk of damaging both the knife in question and the internal stone sharpener.
So yes, you’re guaranteed to enjoy five endlessly sharp knives for a minimum of 10 years – just as long as you’re happy with these knives being part of Ninja’s straight-edge range, and this range alone.
Verdict
Ninja StaySharp Knife Block, Five Piece Set
Available in 5, 6 and 12-piece sets (the largest set includes six additional steak knives), the Ninja StaySharp Knife Block is a brilliant kitchen accessory investment if you’re not the type of home chef that switches between multiple different brands and types of knives depending on your mood, or what you’re cooking.
The StaySharp Knife Block streamlines the home kitchen experience tenfold and is a value-for-money investment in owning consistently sharp knives – without the need to purchase an additional, likely cumbersome and fiddly v-groove knife sharpener.
The included knife set, no matter which option you go for, consists of a selection of elegant, perfectly weighted, and brilliantly designed 22-degree blades. Equipped with delightful ergonomic handles, they have the look and feel of a professional set at a fraction of the cost.
Buy now £169.99, Ninja
