The Ninja StayShark Knife Block with Integrated Sharpener has been rated 4.9 stars by more than 1,000 users so writer Lucy Addicott put it it to the test to see if the kitchen gadget really is a cut above the rest
Having been rated 4.9 out of five stars by over 1,700 users on the Ninja website, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the hype around the Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block. Retailing for £169.99, they are certainly at the higher end of the price scale, considering you can get a five-piece knife set from the likes of Dunelm for £50, so I put them to the test over the course of a few weeks to see whether they’re worth it.
The five-piece set comes with a chef, bread, slicing, utility and paring knife, as well as an integrated sharpener for all your chopping, slicing and dicing needs. Crafted from durable forged stainless steel with precision blades, the brand claims the knives will stay sharp for ten years if you follow the sharpening recommendations.
Initially taking each knife out of the holder, I could immediately tell that these knives were the real deal – and that was before I’d even used them. Testing them on everything from softer tomatoes, to harder carrots, pumpkin and meat, the knives sliced through all ingredients as if they were butter and I was seriously impressed.
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If you are used to using duller, less expensive knives like me, you should see a massive difference in the ease and time it takes you to cut. I’m not a professional chef, but I felt like one when using these Ninja knives.
I found myself having to be even more cautious than I typically would be when cooking as these knives were so incredibly sharp. Thankfully, the ergonomic handles were comfortable to hold and even feature a half-bolster at the base to enable a professional pinch that gives you total control.
For me, the variation of knives you get in the five-piece set is more than enough, however there is the option of a 14-piece set for £249.99 if you want extra items including scissors, boning, and steak knives. When it comes to sharpening the knives, Ninja recommend that you should sharpen them every two weeks for optimum results and that’s whether you notice a reduction in cutting performance or not.
The integrated sharpener is easy to use, you simply pop the blade into the slot, apply some pressure and in a few swipes of the lever, the knives should be restored to premium sharpness. While it only takes a few seconds to sharpen each knife, this does take time and I did find myself forgetting some weeks. To maintain the knives, they should be hand washed carefully, further adding to the time it takes to look after them, so this is certainly something to consider if you are used to chucking knives in the dishwasher.
Like most Ninja devices, the Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block has a contemporary grey and black design. The base features sticky pads meaning it doesn’t budge when put on the countertop, however, I did find the model to be quite bulky. My old knife set, despite not being able to compete in terms of sharpness, was housed in a wooden block which I found to be more visually appealing and slotted easily onto the side. The Ninja Knife Block will suit those who prefer a modern look, but those lacking countertop space may struggle.
Ultimately, the Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block has sped up the time it takes me to cook meals and they are by far the sharpest knives I’ve used. To keep them cutting as well as they do does take a bit of TLC, but a few minutes every week or so is not much to contend with. The StayShark Knife Block means you have consistently sharp knives, without having to buy replacements or purchase an additional, likely more fiddly, knife sharpener.
When scrolling the reviews left on the Ninja website, one reads: “I can now slice a tomato so thinly that it can feed the two of us for a week”, which sums up my feelings perfectly. The £169.99 price tag is still undeniably steep for a set of knives and if you’re not massively into your cooking, I would say you can find cheaper alternatives elsewhere that would do the job, such as Amazon’s Amushome Kitchen Knife Set for £28.99 . However, for those of us who typically use a set of knives everyday, they have the look and feel of a professional set at a fraction of the cost – and you might even find yourself tempted to cook more with them in your arsenal.
