Comparison: Best Ja Henckels 20Pc Self Sharpening Cutlery Set (Updated | Nov 10th)
If you’re in the market for a reliable, high-quality knife set that makes kitchen prep a breeze, the J.A. Henckels 20-piece self-sharpening cutlery set is definitely worth your attention. Known for blending German craftsmanship with modern convenience, this set promises sharpness, durability, and style—all in one sleek block. But does it live up to the hype? We’ve put it to the test, comparing performance, value, and everyday usability so you can decide if it’s the perfect fit for your kitchen. Let’s dive in.
- Best for premium statement: HENCKELS J.A International Statement 20-pc Self-Sharpening Block Set
- Best for graphite elegance: Henckels Graphite 20-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Set with Block
- Best for sleek black: Henckels International Statement 20 Piece Black Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set
- Best for solution sharpness: Henckels Solution 20-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set – Black
- Best for graphite classic: HENCKELS Graphite 20-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Set with Block – Black
- Best for razor sharp: HENCKELS Classic Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Self-Sharpening Knife Set
- Best for modernist ceramic: HENCKELS Modernist 20-Piece Self-Sharpening Knife Set with Block
- Best for elan balance: Henckels Elan 20-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set
- Best for forged accent: Henckels Forged Accent 20 Piece Self Sharpening Knife Block Set with Black Handles
- Best for compact value: J.A. Henckels International Graphite 14-pc Self-Sharpening Block Set
Product Comparison: Best Ja Henckels 20Pc Self Sharpening Cutlery Set
HENCKELS J.A International Statement 20-pc Self-Sharpening Block Set, Silve
- ULTRA-SHARP BLADES: Superior professional-level sharpness that ensures precision cutting.
- THE LAST KNIFE YOU’LL EVER NEED TO BUY: German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Mastery. HENCKELS knives are built to last.
- EFFORTLESS CUTTING: Enjoy easy cutting with minimal effort with this lightweight, easy-to-use knife.
- SET INCLUDES: 3-inch and 4-inch Paring knife, 5-inch and 6-inch Utility knife, 5.5-inch Prep knife & Boning knife, 7-inch Santoku knife, 8-inch Bread knife & Carving knife & Chef’s knife, 8 x 4.5-inch Steak knives, kitchen shears, and knife block
- QUICK CLEAN UP: No-fuss cleanup, in the dishwasher or by hand. Stain and rust-free blades.
- WORTH THE SPLURGE: HENCKELS knives start out razor-sharp and stay sharper longer, even with minimal care.
- DURABLE BLADE: Single-piece, precision-stamped blade construction provides durability.
- STAYS SHARP LONGER: Professional, satin-finished blade boasts precision cutting and is finely honed for long-lasting sharpness.
Henckels Graphite 20-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Set with Block, Chef Knife, Paring Knife, Utility Knife, Bread Knife, Steak Knife, Brown
- The knife set with block includes: 3- and 4-inch paring knives, 5-inch serrated utility, 5.5-inch prep, 6-inch utility, 5.5-inch boning, 7-inch santoku, 8-inch chef’s knife, 8-inch carving, 8-inch bread knife, 8 x 4.5-inch steak knives, kitchen shears, and self-sharpening block
- Self-sharpening block features stylish brushed stainless-steel cap and stained ash wood base
- Labeled self-sharpening slots sharpen each time a knife is removed or replaced and ensure proper knife placement
- Fully forged bolster construction for durability, balance, and design
- The knives in this self-sharpening knife set are fabricated from high-quality German stainless steel with a satin-finished blade
Henckels International Statement 20 Piece Black Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set
- ULTRA-SHARP BLADES: Superior professional-level sharpness that ensures precision cutting.
- EFFORTLESS CUTTING: Enjoy easy cutting with minimal effort with this lightweight, easy-to-use set.
- SET INCLUDES: 3-inch and 4-inch Paring knife, 5-inch and 6-inch Utility knife, 5.5-inch Prep knife & Boning knife, 7-inch Santoku knife, 8-inch Bread knife & Carving knife & Chef’s knife, 8 x 4.5-inch Steak knives, kitchen shears, and knife block
- WORTH THE SPLURGE: HENCKELS knives start out razor-sharp and stay sharper longer, even with minimal care. Single-piece, precision-stamped blade construction provides durability.
- STAYS SHARP LONGER: Professional, satin-finished blade boasts precision cutting and is finely honed for long-lasting sharpness.
Henckels Solution 20-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set – Black
- ULTRA-SHARP BLADES: Superior professional-level sharpness that ensures precision cutting.
- THE LAST KNIFE YOU’LL EVER NEED TO BUY: German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Mastery. HENCKELS knives are built to last.
- EFFORTLESS CUTTING: Enjoy easy cutting with minimal effort with this lightweight, easy-to-use knife.
- SET INCLUDES: 3-inch paring knife, 4-inch paring knife, 5-inch serrated utility knife, 5-inch boning knife, 5.5-inch hollow edge santoku, 5.5-inch prep knife, 6-inch utility knife, 8-inch chef’s knife, 8-inch bread knife, 8-inch carving knife, 8 x 4.5-inch steak knives, kitchen shears, sharpening module knife block
- QUICK CLEAN UP: No-fuss cleanup, in the dishwasher or by hand. Stain and rust-free blades.
- WORTH THE SPLURGE: HENCKELS knives start out razor-sharp and stay sharper longer, even with minimal care.
- DURABLE BLADE: Single-piece, precision-stamped blade construction provides durability.
- STAYS SHARP LONGER: Professional, satin-finished blade boasts precision cutting and is finely honed for long-lasting sharpness
HENCKELS Graphite 20-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Set with Block – Black
- The knife set with block includes: 3- and 4-inch paring knives, 5-inch serrated utility, 5.5-inch prep, 6-inch utility, 5.5-inch boning, 7-inch santoku, 8-inch chef’s knife, 8-inch carving, 8-inch bread knife, 8 x 4.5-inch steak knives, kitchen shears, and self-sharpening block
- Self-sharpening block features stylish brushed stainless-steel cap and stained ash wood base
- Labeled self-sharpening slots sharpen each time a knife is removed or replaced and ensure proper knife placement
- Fully forged bolster construction for durability, balance, and design
- The knives in this self-sharpening knife set are fabricated from high-quality German stainless steel with a satin-finished blade
HENCKELS Classic Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Self-Sharpening Knife Set, Chef Knife, Bread Knife German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery
- Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set 20pc
HENCKELS Modernist 20-Piece Self-Sharpening Knife Set with Block, Chef’s, Paring, Utility, Bread, Steak Knives, Black, Stainless Steel
- Set includes: 3″ Paring Knife; 4″ Paring Knife; 5″ Serrated Utility Knife; 5.5″ Prep Knife; 6″ Utility Knife; 5.5″ Boning Knife; 7″ Santoku Knife; 8″ Bread Knife; 8″ Carving Knife; 8″ Chef’s Knife; 4.5″ Steak Knives (8); Kitchen Shears; Self-Sharpening Knife Block
- Self-sharpening slots boast built-in ceramic honing wheels that automatically sharpen blades
- The knives in this self-sharpening knife set are fabricated from high-quality German stainless steel with a satin-finished blade
- Fully forged bolster construction for durability, balance, and design
- Lightweight, ergonomic, stainless-steel handle with a fingerprint-proof sandblasted texture that is easy to grip
Henckels Elan 20-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set
- Fabricated from high-quality German stainless steel
- Professional, satin-finished blade boasts precision cutting and is finely honed for long-lasting sharpness
- Forged bolster construction offers durability and balance and a seamless transition from blade to handle
- Ergonomic handle with stainless-steel endcap
- Dishwasher safe, hand washing recommended
Henckels Forged Accent 20 Piece Self Sharpening Knife Block Set with Black Handles
J.A. Henckels International Graphite 14-pc Self-Sharpening Block Set
- Set includes 3-inch paring, 5-inch serrated utility, 6-inch utility, 7-inch santoku, 8-inch chef’s, 8-inch bread knife, kitchen shears, 6 x 4.5-inch steak knives, and self-sharpening block
- Self-sharpening block features stylish brushed stainless-steel cap and stained ash wood base that is tailor made for the Graphite knife series
- Labeled self-sharpening slots sharpen each time a knife is removed or replaced and ensure proper knife placement
- Knives feature fully forged bolster construction for durability, balance, and design
- Knives fabricated from high-quality German stainless steel with a satin-finished blade
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What are the main differences between the Henckels Statement and Graphite 20‑piece self‑sharpening sets?
The Statement line features a sleek black or silver finish with a focus on ultra‑sharp, lightweight blades, while the Graphite series adds a brushed stainless‑steel cap and a stained ash wood base for a more premium look. Both use German stainless steel and self‑sharpening blocks, but the Graphite knives often have fully forged bolster construction for extra balance.
How does the self‑sharpening block work and why is it important?
Each slot in the block contains a ceramic honing wheel that sharpens the blade every time you insert or remove a knife, maintaining edge retention without manual honing. This feature extends the life of the knives and reduces the need for professional sharpening services.
Which 20‑piece set offers the best value for a home cook on a budget?
The Henckels Classic Razor‑Sharp 20‑piece set provides essential knives and a self‑sharpening block at a lower price point while still delivering German‑engineered steel. It may lack some of the aesthetic upgrades of the Statement or Graphite lines but offers comparable performance for everyday cooking.
Are the knives dishwasher safe, and does that affect their longevity?
All Henckels self‑sharpening sets are labeled as dishwasher safe, but hand washing is recommended to preserve the blade finish and handle integrity. Frequent dishwasher cycles can cause minor dulling over time, so using the block’s sharpening feature regularly helps maintain sharpness.
What should I consider when choosing between the black and silver finishes?
The black finishes (e.g., Solution, Modernist) tend to hide fingerprints and match contemporary kitchen décor, while the silver or graphite finishes provide a classic, professional look. Functionally, there is no performance difference; the choice is purely aesthetic.
Do any of the sets include specialty knives like a boning or santoku, and why are they useful?
Yes, most 20‑piece sets, including Statement, Graphite, and Modernist, include a boning knife for precise meat preparation and a santoku for versatile chopping, slicing, and dicing. These specialty knives enhance efficiency by offering blades optimized for specific tasks.
How does the forged bolster construction impact handling?
A forged bolster adds weight and balance at the junction of blade and handle, giving better control and reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Sets like the Graphite and Modernist emphasize this feature for professional‑grade performance.
Is it worth paying extra for the Henckels Elan or Accent lines?
The Elan and Accent collections focus on ergonomic handles and refined aesthetics, which can improve comfort and visual appeal. If you value a premium look and slightly enhanced grip, the extra cost may be justified, but the core cutting performance remains similar across all Henckels self‑sharpening sets.