Key takeaways
- Farberware has been selling cutlery for generations, and its catalog today leans on a few recognizable formats: the 15-piece block.
Farberware has been selling cutlery for generations, and its catalog today leans on a few recognizable formats: the 15-piece block, the oversized 22-piece block, and mid-size sets with a sharpener built right into the base. Shoppers searching for a Farberware cutlery set are usually weighing those formats against each other, and the product names make it hard, because many sets share the same piece count while differing in handle style, block material, and whether steak knives are included. This guide sorts the options for a 2026 purchase.
The audience is practical: parents stocking a first family kitchen, new homeowners who want one box to cover the basics, and gift buyers who need something that looks complete. Everything below is drawn from the product titles alone, which list piece counts, steel type, block material, color, and included accessories. Claims such as never-needs-sharpening are quoted as the maker’s wording and should be read with the usual skepticism, since every edge needs some maintenance.
Quick Picks
Our top picks
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| Product | Best for | Key spec from the title |
|---|---|---|
| Farberware 15-Piece Knife Set with Wood Block | All-round starter set | 15 pieces, high-carbon stainless, steak knives, sharpening tool, shears |
| Farberware 22-Piece Block Set | Large households | 22 pieces, steak knives, scissors, sharpening steel |
| Farberware Edgekeeper 16-Piece Block Set | Easy upkeep | 16 pieces, triple rivet, built-in knife sharpener, black |
| Farberware 18-Piece Block Set | Mid-size block with non-slip grips | 18 pieces, high carbon stainless, non-slip handles |
| Farberware Triple Riveted 15-Piece, Black Pine | Traditional look | Triple riveted, high carbon-stainless, pinewood block |
| Farberware 15-Piece Stainless Set with Santoku | Cooks who like a santoku | Chef, bread, santoku, steak knives, sharpening steel |
How to Choose
Format and piece count
A cutlery set can be a modest 15 pieces or an expansive 22, and the larger counts mostly add table knives, scissors, and spare utility blades rather than premium cutting tools. Think about who is using the set. A couple who cooks nightly needs a chef knife, a paring knife, a bread knife, and a utility knife. A family that hosts holiday meals benefits from eight steak knives. Match the count to your household, not to the biggest number on the shelf. A practical check is to list the tasks you perform in a normal week, then see which listed blades cover them. Anything that does not map to a task is a candidate to ignore.
Sharpening features
Some Farberware sets add a built-in sharpener in the block, such as the Edgekeeper, while others rely on a separate sharpening steel or an accessory tool. A block sharpener refreshes the edge every time you slide a knife in and out, which is convenient but coarse. A honing steel is more precise and takes practice. Titles that claim blades never need sharpening should be read as marketing, and a long-lived edge still requires some care.
Handles and block materials
Triple-riveted handles are the traditional choice and are named in several titles. Non-slip and ergonomic grips are listed on others. Blocks arrive in pinewood, graphite, wood, or natural finishes, and the material affects look more than performance. Choose a darker block if you worry about stains and a lighter one for a bright kitchen. Check block dimensions against your wall cabinets before ordering a 22-piece set. If counter space is tight, a drawer tray or a magnetic strip can hold single knives, though it will not suit a set designed around its own block.
Where budget sets cut corners
Budget-tier cutlery typically saves money on thinner shears, plain steak knives, and simple blocks, while the chef knife gets the most attention. Look at how much of the piece count is accessories. If a set advertises 22 pieces but only six are cutting knives, you are paying for volume. Ignore descriptors like razor sharp, which describe a new edge, and focus on included blade types and sharpening tools.
The 6 Best Options
Farberware 15-Piece Knife Set with Wood Block
This is the broadest all-rounder in the group. The listing mentions high-carbon stainless steel blades, a wood block, steak knives, a sharpening tool, and all-purpose shears, so it ships ready to cook and serve. For many households, it is the format that comes closest to a full kitchen starter. A new homeowner who is also buying pots, pans, and utensils will likely appreciate not having to hunt for shears or a sharpener separately.
- A sharpening tool and shears are included alongside the knives.
- Steak knives are named, so the set covers table service as well as prep.
- Trade-off: a 15-piece count includes accessories, so the number of true cutting knives is smaller.
Who should skip it: cooks who want a built-in block sharpener or a larger pack of knives.
Farberware 22-Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set
The largest set here, with 22 pieces including steak knives, scissors, and a sharpening steel, all in a block. It is meant for big households, holiday hosts, or anyone who prefers to buy once and not think about knives again, and the high carbon stainless steel is stated in the title. Think of it as a household inventory more than a curated collection: there is a tool for most jobs, but not every tool will earn its slot.
- Twenty-two pieces cover prep, serving, and upkeep in one purchase.
- A sharpening steel is included for regular edge alignment.
- Trade-off: the block is likely large, and many of the pieces may rarely be used.
Who should skip it: small kitchens and cooks who prefer a few good knives to a big collection.
Farberware Edgekeeper 16-Piece Block Set
The Edgekeeper puts a sharpener inside the block, so each draw through the slot gives the knife a touch-up. The title also mentions a triple rivet design and a black finish. It suits people who forget to maintain knives and want the set to do some of the work on its own. It also suits a gift for a busy parent or a first-time homeowner who would not know where to begin with a whetstone, and the black finish pairs with most appliance colors.
- A built-in sharpener reduces the need for separate tools.
- Triple rivet construction is named in the title.
- Trade-off: a block sharpener is a quick fix and removes more metal than a honing steel.
Who should skip it: knife enthusiasts who prefer to sharpen by hand.
Farberware 18-Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set
The 18-piece block sits between the 16 and the 22, listing high carbon stainless steel, non-slip handles, and a natural-finish storage block. It carries a never-needs-sharpening claim, which should be taken as a promise about the edge design and not as a guarantee of eternal sharpness. It makes sense for a family that wants more than the 15-piece sets without jumping to the largest block, and for cooks who care about grip security when their hands are wet or greasy.
- Non-slip handles are listed for a secure grip with wet hands.
- A natural finish block blends with wooden counters.
- Trade-off: the never-needs-sharpening line invites skipped maintenance.
Who should skip it: cooks who want a stated sharpener or steel in the title.
Farberware Triple Riveted 15-Piece Set, Black Pine
This set pairs triple-riveted high carbon-stainless blades and ergonomic handles with a natural pinewood block. The look is classic, with black handles against light wood, and it suits kitchens with traditional or farmhouse styling. Because the construction is the familiar triple-rivet style, it is an easy recommendation for relatives who want something that looks like the knife block they grew up with, only newer and complete.
- Triple rivets are the traditional construction named in the title.
- The pinewood block gives a warm, simple look.
- Trade-off: the title does not list a sharpener, so budget for a honing steel.
Who should skip it: shoppers who want an included sharpener or a more modern finish.
Farberware 15-Piece Stainless Steel Set with Santoku
This one lists a chef knife, bread knife, santoku, and steak knives, plus a sharpening steel. The santoku is the key differentiator, since many sets skip it. It fits cooks who like a shorter, flatter blade for vegetables and thin slicing, and who still want bread and steak knives available when the meal calls for them. Pair it with its sharpening steel on a regular schedule to get the most from the set.
- A santoku is included along with chef and bread knives.
- A sharpening steel is named, which helps with regular upkeep.
- Trade-off: the title is cut off before the end, so check the full listing for remaining contents.
Who should skip it: anyone who has no use for a santoku.
Which One Fits Your Situation
You are furnishing a first home
The Farberware 15-Piece Knife Set with Wood Block covers cutting, serving, shears, and a sharpening tool in one box, so there is nothing else to buy on the first day. Add a honing steel later if you want finer upkeep.
You host large family dinners
The Farberware 22-Piece Block Set provides enough steak knives and utility pieces for a crowd, and the included sharpening steel keeps them usable. With that many pieces, nobody has to wash a steak knife between courses.
You will not maintain knives by hand
The Farberware Edgekeeper 16-Piece with a built-in sharpener suits a low-effort routine, though a honing steel is still worth buying. It also takes the guesswork out of maintenance for a gift recipient.
You prefer a classic look
The Farberware Triple Riveted 15-Piece in Black Pine matches traditional or rustic kitchens and keeps the storage simple.
Common Mistakes
- Counting scissors, steaks, and the block as part of the real knife count.
- Believing a never-needs-sharpening claim and skipping all upkeep.
- Ignoring the footprint of a 22-piece block before ordering.
- Putting the knives in the dishwasher routinely, which dulls the edge and loosens rivets.
- Buying steak knives you will not use because the set includes them.
Specs and Terms Explained
Piece count
The number in the product name often counts every item that comes in the box, including the block, shears, a honing steel, and steak knives. A 22-piece set might hold only a handful of working blades. Subtract anything that is not a knife to see what you actually get.
Stainless steel grade
Stainless steel varies widely in carbon and chromium content. A higher chromium level resists rust, while more carbon lets the edge harden. Budget sets typically use a basic stainless that is easy to sharpen but loses its edge faster. Brands rarely name the alloy in this tier, so an unspecified grade is the norm.
Triple rivet
Triple-riveted handles use three metal pins to clamp the handle scales to the tang. The design is traditional and looks sturdy, and the rivets should sit flush so food does not catch in the gaps. A loose rivet or a visible gap is a sign the handle may separate over time.
In-block sharpener
Some blocks hide a slot with ceramic or carbide wheels that sharpen each time you draw the knife out. These work as a quick refresh, but they remove metal quickly if used constantly. Owners who use the slot every day are likely to see the edge wear down sooner than someone who reaches for it monthly.
Which One Should You Buy?
| If you… | Choose… |
|---|---|
| Want a mid-size classic with a wood block | Farberware 15-Piece Knife Set with Wood Block |
| Need the most pieces for a big household | Farberware 22-Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set |
| Prefer a built-in sharpener in the block | Farberware Edgekeeper 16-Piece Block Set |
| Want a moderate set with extra utility blades | Farberware 18-Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set |
| Like the traditional riveted look | Farberware Triple Riveted 15-Piece Set, Black Pine |
| Cook with a santoku-style blade most nights | Farberware 15-Piece Stainless Steel Set with Santoku |
Setup and Care Tips
- Rinse and dry each knife before the first use, then place them in the block handle-first or edge-up as the design allows.
- Hand wash and towel dry even if the box says dishwasher safe, since detergent and heat dull edges and loosen handles.
- Keep the sharpener slot, if there is one, free of crumbs by tapping the block upside down occasionally.
- Use the steak knives for steak only, not for opening packages or cutting rope.
- Replace worn blades individually where possible, rather than living with a dull chef knife because the rest of the block is fine.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Farberware set has a built-in sharpener?
The Edgekeeper 16-piece names one in the title. Other sets in this group list a separate sharpening tool or a sharpening steel instead.
Are the 15-piece sets all the same?
No. They differ in handle style, block material, color, and included accessories. Compare the details in each title before assuming they match.
Is a 22-piece set better than a 15-piece one?
Not necessarily. The extra pieces tend to be steak knives, scissors, or utility blades, which are useful for some households but wasted on others. Count the true cutting knives first, and treat everything else as a bonus rather than a reason to upgrade.
Can these knives go in the dishwasher?
Even where a listing is silent, hand washing is the safer option. Dishwasher heat and detergent dull blades and can damage wood or pine blocks. A quick rinse, a dry towel, and a return to the block takes less than a minute and keeps rivets tight and edges cleaner for much longer.
