Knife block with storage slot blade sharpeners and cutlery set using same

1. A knife block including a first knife, the knife block comprising:

a block body;

a block insert coupled to the block body, the block insert comprising a knife receiving surface, a first knife slot, a second knife slot, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a sharpening element holder defining a pocket on the interior surface configured to directly receive and secure a first sharpening element between two end walls; and

a removable cap facing the interior surface and attached to the sharpening element holder, such that the cap covers the sharpening element holder, the cap having a cavity configured to directly receive and secure a second sharpening element between two end walls, wherein an outer shape of the cap and an outer shape of the sharpening element holder have matching geometry, and wherein at least one of the cap or the sharpening element holder comprises one or more pins, and the other of the cap or the sharpening element holder comprises a corresponding number of holes, such that the pins are received within the holes to align the cap and the sharpening element holder;

wherein the first sharpening element and the second sharpening element form a V-shape having a first sharpener angle that is greater than a first blade edge angle of the first knife, and wherein the first sharpening element and the second sharpening element are configured to sharpen the first knife upon removal of the first knife from the first knife slot; and

a cover plate mounted to the block insert and comprising first and second holes that are overly and align with the first and second knife slots, respectively,

wherein the knife receiving surface and a first lengthwise axis of the first knife slot form a first face angle that is substantially equal to a first bolster angle formed by the first lengthwise axis of the first knife and a bolster of the first knife.

2. The knife block of claim 1 , wherein the first sharpening element is positioned to contact a first side of a cutting edge of the first knife when the first knife is inserted into the first knife slot, and wherein the second sharpening element is positioned to contact a second side of the cutting edge when the first knife is inserted into the first knife slot.

3. The knife block of claim 1 , wherein the cover plate comprises a decorative surface comprising wood, plastic, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, or platinum.

4. The knife block of claim 1 , wherein the cover plate is adhered to the block insert.

5. The knife block of claim 1 , wherein the block insert is coupled to the block body with screws.

6. The knife block of claim 1 , wherein the first and second sharpening elements are ceramic.

7. The knife block of claim 1 , wherein the block insert is formed of plastic.

8. The knife block of claim 1 , wherein the cap is formed of plastic.

9. The knife block of claim 1 , wherein the sharpening element holder is integrally molded as a part of the block insert.

10. The knife block of claim 1 , wherein the sharpening element holder is attached to the interior surface of the block insert.

11. The knife block of claim 1 , wherein the block insert is positioned at least partially within the block body.

12. The knife block of claim 1 , further comprising a third knife slot that does not have a knife sharpener aligned therewith.

13. The knife block of claim 1 , further comprising first and second indicia associated with the first and second knife slots, respectively, the first and second indicia relating to one or more knife characteristics and the first indicia being different than the second indicia.

14. The knife block of claim 1 , wherein the block body comprises first and second storage slots aligned with the first and second knife slots, respectively.

15. The knife block of claim 14 , wherein the first and second storage slots extend completely through the block body.

16. The knife block of claim 1 , wherein the blade edge angle of the first knife is between about 32 and about 40 degrees.

17. A cutlery set, comprising:

a first knife with a first blade having a first blade edge angle, wherein the first knife comprises a first bolster and a first lengthwise axis;

a second knife with a second blade having a second blade edge angle, wherein the second knife comprises a second bolster; and

a knife block comprising:

a knife receiving surface,

a first knife slot having a second lengthwise axis,

a second knife slot,

a sharpening element holder directly receiving and securing a first sharpening element between two end walls, and

a removable cap attached to the sharpening element holder directly receiving and securing a second sharpening element between two end walls, wherein an outer shape of the cap and an outer shape of the sharpening element holder have matching geometry, and wherein at least one of the cap or the sharpening element holder comprises one or more pins, and the other of the cap or the sharpening element holder comprises a corresponding number of holes, such that the pins are received within the holes to align the cap and the sharpening element holder;

wherein the first sharpening element and the second sharpening element form a V-shape having a first sharpener angle that is greater than the first blade edge angle; and

wherein the knife receiving surface and the second lengthwise axis form a first face angle that is substantially equal to a first bolster angle formed by the first lengthwise axis and the first bolster.

18. The cutlery set of claim 17 , wherein the first blade has at least one size characteristic that is different than the second blade.