Astercook 15-Piece Knife Set with Built-in Sharpener, German Stainless Steel Block Review (2026)

Who this knife set is for

This set is built for someone furnishing a kitchen from scratch who wants a complete range of knives, from a chef knife down to steak knives, in one purchase rather than buying pieces individually over time. The included built-in sharpener in the block is a genuine convenience for anyone who does not already own a separate sharpening tool and would otherwise let blades dull over months of use. Because the set includes six steak knives and a kitchen shear alongside the core cooking knives, it also suits someone who wants matching knives for both cooking and the table, such as for hosting dinners. It is a weaker fit for a genuinely tiny kitchen with little counter space, since a 15-piece block is a larger footprint than a compact magnetic strip or a 3 to 5 piece set.

What is actually in the block

According to the Amazon listing for this exact set, the 15 pieces are an 8 inch chef knife, an 8 inch slicing knife, a 7 inch santoku knife, an 8 inch serrated bread knife, a 5 inch utility knife, a 3.5 inch paring knife, six 4.5 inch serrated steak knives, and a kitchen shear, all housed in a hardwood block with a built-in sharpener slot. The blades are made from high carbon German stainless steel, which Astercook markets as rust resistant and dishwasher safe, and the brand backs the set with a lifetime warranty according to the listing. That range covers chopping, slicing, precision paring, bread cutting and table use in one set, which is a broader spread than most compact knife sets that skip steak knives or a shear entirely.

Living with a full knife block

Day to day, the built-in sharpener means maintenance is as simple as pulling a blade through the slot in the block periodically, rather than needing a separate whetstone or pull-through sharpener taking up its own drawer space. Because the knives are dishwasher safe according to Astercook, cleanup after cooking is easier than a set that requires hand washing only, though hand washing and drying promptly is still the safer long-term habit for keeping any stainless blade's edge in good condition. The block itself needs a fixed spot on the counter or in a cabinet, and at 15 pieces it is noticeably larger than a 6 or 8 piece starter set, so measure your available space before buying. The ergonomic handles are designed for a secure grip across all the different blade shapes in the set, from the wide chef knife to the narrow paring knife.

How it compares with rival knife sets

Against the Henckels Assure 14-piece set that ranks just behind it in our comparison, Astercook offers a similar piece count and German steel construction, with the built-in sharpener and lifetime warranty as points in its favor. Compared with smaller sets like the RAXCO 10-piece with a compact stainless holder, Astercook trades a smaller counter footprint for a broader range of included pieces, particularly the steak knives and shear that RAXCO's set does not include. The Cuisinart Color Pro 12-piece sets in this same guide take a different approach with colored handles and a smaller block, which may suit a kitchen that wants a lighter visual footprint over Astercook's larger, more traditional block.

Verdict and who should pick something smaller

Choose the Astercook 15-piece set if you are stocking a kitchen from the ground up and want a complete range of cooking and table knives with a built-in sharpener in one purchase. Pick a smaller set, such as the RAXCO 10-piece or a compact magnetic strip instead, if your counter space is genuinely tight and you do not need steak knives or a shear included. Anyone who already owns a dedicated sharpening stone or pull-through sharpener may also find the built-in sharpener feature less valuable, and could save some money with a rival set that skips that feature.

Frequently asked questions