Kitchen Knife Storage

Knives are one of the most important and most often used tools of all cooks, professional or pedestrian. Whether for slicing bread, dicing vegetables, or trimming meat, knives are the backbone of food preparation, second only to the stove in importance. Thus, it is imperative to find a method of storing kitchen knives that works for the individual cook. This buying guide explains many of the most common methods for storing kitchen knives, as well as their respective advantages and disadvantages.

Wood Knife Block

One method of storing knives is the traditional knife block. These are wooden blocks that sit on the counter top and have a slot for each knife. Knife blocks are probably the most popular method of storing household kitchen knives, and some knife sets even come with a block.

Some Knife Blocks

This storage method has several advantages. The knives are always within reach because they are stored on the counter. The block keeps the blades covered so there is no way to accidentally cut oneself. This method is also safer than storing knives in a drawer, especially in households with small children. Knife blocks are extremely common and easy to find. There are many sizes and configurations available, from blocks with five slots those with over nineteen slots. Some can hold a set of steak knives in addition to cooking knives. Most blocks also have a slot for a honing steel.

Knife blocks do, however, have a few disadvantages. It is possible to dull knife blades through the repeated sliding of the blade against the wood. If the blades face down in the block (as opposed to sideways), there is a greater chance of the blades becoming dull. Knife blocks are difficult to clean as the slots are as thin as the knives. In households with small children, parents may prefer a different storage method if the child is able to pull over a chair and reach the counter top.

Magnetic Knife Storage

Another method of knife storage is the magnetic strip. These strips of stainless steel, often fifteen to twenty inches in length, are mounted to the cabinet backsplash. The knife blades are attracted to the strip and are stored hanging by their blades. Like wooden blocks, a magnetic strip allows one to store their knives out in the open for easy access. They do not take up any counter space, a plus in small kitchens, and they do not dull the blades. Magnetic knife storage stripsare very popular in modern kitchens, where they add to the décor. They are also reasonably priced.

Magnetic knife storage

There are, however, disadvantages of magnetic storage strips. They tend to look out of place in traditional home kitchens and they can make the kitchen look cluttered. Knife strips are best for holding the knives used most often in cooking, so a larger collection or a set of steak knives would still require additional storage. Also, anything out in the open in a kitchen, especially near the stove, tends to gather dust and grime, although using this method only for the most-used knives will reduce dirt build-up.

In-Drawer Knife Storage

In-drawer organizers are a popular method of storing kitchen knives. These are rather like knife blocks, in that they have a slot for each knife and are often made of wood, but the organizer fits in a drawer instead of on the counter. Storing kitchen knives in a drawer is much safer than storing knives loose, especially in households with children. However, this method of storage will require a drawer lock to keep children away from the knives. Also like knife blocks, in-drawer organizers are available in a range of sizes, including those that hold a set of steak knives. Although in-drawer organizers are not as convenient as countertop or backsplash storage, they will prevent the kitchen from looking cluttered. These organizers keep the knives clean and the blades protected, and are available in a variety of woods and finishes.

in-drawer knife storage

One disadvantage of in-drawer organizers, similar to knife blocks, is that it is hard to clean the knife slots. If a kitchen does not have a lot of counter space and the cook doesn’t mind opening a drawer to retrieve a knife, in-drawer knife trays are a good storage solution.

There are several less-popular methods for storing kitchen knives that, depending on the kitchen setup and the cook’s habits, may be the right method.

Under Cabinet Knife Blocks

Under-cabinet knife blocks are very similar to traditional knife blocks, but are slimmer and designed to be mounted under a cabinet. This keeps knives off the counter but still easy to retrieve, although it may add to visual clutter.

Under-cabinet knife storage

Individual Knife Stand

Individual knife holders or stands can be bought alone but sometimes come with a specialty knife. If one finds that they use a single blade most often, it may be a good idea to store only that knife out in the open, with the rest in a drawer.

Knife Blade Protectors

Blade protectors, plastic pieces that clip onto the blade of a knife, prevent accidental cuts, and protect the blades. These are good if one must store knives loose in a drawer, but they are not generally recommended except for rarely-used knives. Without an in-drawer organizer, the knives will be a jumbled mess. This method also requires two steps to use a knife: First, the cook must open the drawer, and then remove the blade protector.

Knife blade protectors

Knife Rolls

Knife rolls, sometimes called chef’s cases, which are sort of fabric holding cases, commonly used for travel. They are rarely used by home cooks, who rarely if not ever need to transport their knives.

Knife roll

Storing your knives

All of these knife storage options are available online, and most can be found at any major department or kitchen store. Each storage method can be found in different configurations and price ranges to match each kitchen and budget. It may seem like a lot of options, but it will become easier to decide on a method after examining the cook’s habits and kitchen configuration. This will enable the home cook to find the knife storage method that will work best for them.