Ninja 17 Piece Knife Set: What You Actually Get and Whether It's Worth It

If you've been searching for a complete knife set that covers every cutting task in the kitchen without spending a fortune, you've probably landed on the Ninja 17 piece knife set at some point. The brand is best known for blenders and air fryers, but Ninja has quietly built a line of kitchen knives that consistently earns solid reviews from home cooks.

This guide walks through everything you need to know about the Ninja 17 piece knife set, what's included, how the knives perform, who it's best suited for, and how it compares to similar sets in the same price range.

What's Included in a 17 Piece Knife Set

A 17 piece knife set typically includes a generous mix of blades and accessories. The Ninja version generally contains:

8-inch chef's knife
8-inch bread knife
7-inch santoku knife
6.5-inch hollow edge santoku
5-inch serrated utility knife
5-inch utility knife
4.5-inch boning knife
3.5-inch paring knife
Six steak knives (usually 4.5 to 5 inches)
Kitchen shears
A hardwood or acrylic knife block

Exact contents can vary by model number and year, so always check the product listing before buying. Some versions swap out one or two pieces, and Ninja has updated the lineup over time.

The sheer number of pieces makes it appealing as a starter set or a gift, you're getting essentially everything a kitchen needs in one purchase.

The Blades: Materials and Construction

Ninja's knife sets typically use high-carbon stainless steel, which is a reasonable choice for this price range. High-carbon stainless resists rust better than pure carbon steel while still holding a decent edge. It won't match the performance of a forged German steel blade from Wusthof or Henckels, but it's more than adequate for everyday cooking tasks.

The hollow edge santoku is worth noting specifically. The dimples along the blade create small air pockets that help food release from the knife as you slice, useful when working with soft vegetables like potatoes or cucumbers that tend to stick. It's not a gimmick; this design genuinely helps with certain cuts.

Full Tang vs. Half Tang

One thing to check on any knife set at this price point is whether the blades are full tang (meaning the steel extends all the way through the handle) or half tang (steel stops partway). Full tang construction is stronger and better balanced. Ninja's sets at this tier often use partial tang construction, which is common for budget and mid-range sets. It doesn't mean the knives will fall apart, but it's a factor if you're comparing durability over years of use.

Handle Design and Ergonomics

The handles on Ninja knife sets are typically made from synthetic materials, often a rubberized or textured polymer that provides a secure grip even with wet hands. They're designed to feel comfortable in a variety of hand sizes, with a moderate bolster that doesn't get in the way during extended prep sessions.

They won't have the heft or premium feel of a forged European knife, but for most home cooks, the handles get the job done without fatigue.

How These Knives Perform in Practice

For someone who cooks regularly at home, not a professional, not a complete beginner, the Ninja 17 piece set performs reasonably well out of the box. Fresh from the package, the edges are typically sharp enough to handle:

Dicing onions cleanly
Breaking down a whole chicken
Slicing crusty bread without tearing
Peeling and trimming produce with the paring knife

The steak knives included in the set are worth mentioning. Having six matching steak knives means you can actually seat a dinner party without mismatched cutlery, which is a practical benefit that budget knife sets often overlook.

Edge Retention Over Time

Here's the honest assessment: the blades will dull faster than premium German or Japanese knives. This is true of virtually every knife set under $150. The trade-off is price, you're getting 17 pieces at a fraction of what Wusthof charges for eight. If you're willing to use a honing steel regularly and sharpen once or twice a year, you can keep these knives in good working order for a long time.

The Knife Block

The block included with Ninja's 17 piece sets is usually a solid acrylic or rubberwood design with labeled slots for each knife. Labeled slots are genuinely helpful, you're not guessing where each knife goes, which matters when you have multiple blade lengths and types.

Some versions include angled slots, which allow the weight of the knife to sit against the back of the slot rather than the edge. This helps protect the blade edge over time compared to straight-slot designs where the cutting edge contacts the wood.

Who This Set Is Best For

New homeowners or first apartment dwellers, A 17 piece set eliminates the "I need knives but don't know where to start" problem. You get everything at once.

Budget-conscious cooks, If you need a full set without spending $400+, this hits a reasonable middle ground between quality and price.

Gift buyers, For wedding gifts, housewarming presents, or someone setting up a first kitchen, the completeness of a 17 piece set makes it an easy choice.

Casual home cooks, If you're not doing advanced prep work or cooking professionally, these knives will handle everything you throw at them.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Serious home cooks or enthusiasts, If you care deeply about edge geometry, steel hardness, and long-term performance, a smaller set of higher-quality knives will serve you better. Something like a three-knife core set from Victorinox Fibrox, Wusthof, or Henckels will outperform a large budget set in every technical measure.

Professional or frequent cooks, You'll likely find the edge retention frustrating compared to what you're used to.

Maintenance Tips

To get the most out of any stainless knife set:

Wash by hand. Dishwashers are hard on knife edges and handles. The heat and harsh detergents cause microcorrosion and dull blades faster.

Use a cutting board. Glass and ceramic boards destroy knife edges. Wood or plastic boards are the right choice.

Hone regularly. A honing steel (usually included or available separately) realigns the edge between sharpenings. Use it every few sessions.

Sharpen once or twice a year. A pull-through sharpener works fine for these blades. A whetstone gives better results but requires practice.

Store in the block. Tossing knives in a drawer damages edges and is a safety hazard.

Comparing to Other Sets in This Category

At the 17 piece level, you're typically comparing Ninja against similar offerings from Cuisinart, Farberware, and McCook. Here's how they generally stack up:

Cuisinart 17 Piece sets, Very similar price point and quality tier. Cuisinart has a longer history in cutlery and some users prefer the feel of their handles.

Farberware 17 Piece sets, Often priced slightly lower, performance is comparable. Farberware's steak knives are frequently praised.

McCook MC21/MC29 sets, German high-carbon steel construction with full tang blades at a competitive price. Often considered a step up in build quality.

If you're willing to spend a bit more, the McCook sets consistently outperform Ninja on blade quality and construction details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Ninja knives dishwasher safe? Technically some are labeled dishwasher safe, but hand washing extends the life of any knife significantly. Dishwasher heat and detergents accelerate dulling and can damage handles over time.

How do I sharpen Ninja knives? A simple pull-through sharpener works well for routine maintenance. For a better edge, a 1000/3000 grit whetstone gives more control. Ninja knives respond well to standard sharpening techniques.

Do the steak knives come serrated or straight edge? Most Ninja steak knife sets include serrated steak knives, which hold their cutting ability longer than straight-edge steak knives without sharpening.

What's the best way to store the block? Keep it away from the stove and steam sources. Direct heat warps wood blocks over time and can affect handle materials on the knives.

Is the Ninja 17 piece knife set a good value? For casual home cooking, yes. If you compare the per-piece cost to buying knives individually, you're getting a full kitchen setup at a fraction of what individual premium knives cost. The trade-off is that each piece is lower quality than what you'd get at a higher price point.

Can I buy replacement knives if one breaks? Ninja sells individual knives separately, but matching the exact model can be difficult as product lines change. Keep this in mind if you're someone who replaces individual pieces rather than full sets.

Final Thoughts

The Ninja 17 piece knife set earns its place as a practical, complete solution for home kitchens that need a full suite of blades without a steep investment. It's not the sharpest set on the market, and it won't win any awards for edge retention or craftsmanship. But for the majority of cooking tasks, chopping vegetables, breaking down proteins, slicing bread, cutting fruit, and serving steak, it delivers consistent results.

The steak knives, kitchen shears, and organized block make it particularly good value as a complete setup. If you're stocking a new kitchen or looking for a practical gift, this set covers all the bases.

For anyone already cooking with quality individual knives who wants to upgrade, start with a single premium chef's knife instead, you'll notice more of a difference than a full budget set can provide.