knife storage

Types of Knife Storage, Proper Knife Storage, Knife Storage Tips

Throwing knives into the drawer with other cutlery and kitchen utensils can damage the tools and increase your risk of injury. Learn how to store knives in several ways.

There are several different kitchen knife storage options that you can choose from to keep your knives sharp and clean when you’re not using them. Here are six of the most common knife storage solutions:

edge guards

Using individual edge guards—which are plastic sheaths that go over the blades of your knives—is a great way to store your knives in the cutlery drawer while preventing injury. Edge guards also prevent your blades from dulling.

knife blocks

A knife block is a wooden block with individual slots carved into it for different knife types. A universal knife block will typically include slots to fit a paring knife, steak knife, sharpening rods, bread knife, chef’s knife, a meat cleaver, and kitchen shears. This countertop storage option is typically made of wood, but there are also glass knife blocks and options with rubber or plastic rods that you can use to sharpen your kitchen tools.

drawer knife blocks

Drawer knife blocks or knife bars fit into your kitchen drawers, with individual slots for your knife blades. Knife organizer drawer inserts are great for keeping your knives organized, protected, and out of sight.

leather knife rolls

Leather knife rolls is a storage accessory made from leather, featuring slots to fit various knife sizes. A leather knife roll protects the blades of your kitchen knives and easily rolls up for drawer storage. It is a popular choice for professional chefs to store and transport their knife sets to work.

magnetic knife holder

A magnetic knife holder is a practical option for saving counter space in your kitchen. These strips mount on your wall to provide your set of knives with a magnetic surface to which they can stick. Install magnetic strips on the wall above your kitchen workspace, and your knives will hold against the wall in a flat row.

magnetic knife blocks

This storage option is similar to a standard knife block but does not feature slots. The knives stick to the sides of the magnetized block, meaning the cutting edges are less likely to get damaged moving in and out of knife slots.

why is storing knives properly important?

Poor storage can damage your knives and possibly lead to personal injury, which is why properly storing your knives is so important. Keeping these tools unsheathed in your drawer in the same compartment as other cutlery can cause minor nicks and dents that are difficult to repair and can also quickly dull your knives.

tips on storing knives properly

choose the right storage method

Magnetic knife strips or drawer blocks are the best options for keeping your kitchen counter space clear. Drawer docks take up drawer space, but they free up counter space (unlike knife blocks) and make your knives easily accessible.

consider cleanliness

Wooden knife blocks (just like wooden cutting boards) can become breeding grounds for yeast and mold if you don’t dry or clean your knives properly. The cleanest way to store your knives is in a drawer block or a magnetic strip. Knives kept on magnetic strips might also attract food splatter depending on how close your magnetic bar is to your food preparation area.

consider convenience

A countertop block or magnetic strip is the best choice for convenience. Knives kept in these storage units are within arm’s reach so that you can use and put them away easily.

select a block with sharpening features

Some countertop knife blocks and knife docks actively sharpen your knives. Look for storage blocks specifically designed to protect and sharpen your knife collection if sharpness is your priority.

store knives blade-up

Whether you’re using a knife block or an in-drawer knife sheath, always rest your knife on the opposite side of the blade. Resting your knife on its sharp edge will dull it.

in conclusion

Let's be honest, countertop clutter is a problem in most kitchens, and oftentimes a big, bulky knife block is the biggest offender. Don't get me wrong, I love to look at a sturdy knife block just as much as the next food professional. They're impressive yet practical and signify to visitors that you know what you're doing in the kitchen (or at least pretend to). The thing is, they take up a lot of counter space, and if you have little kids in the house, they're not exactly the safest storage option. If you're stuck in a tighter kitchen or have little ones whose grabby hands are getting dangerously close to the countertop, it might be time to look for an alternative storage solution.

Proper knife storage and transportation is not only necessary for our own safety but also the safety of others and that of the kitchen tools themselves. While the more conventional options include securing them in a knife block or getting a specially made knife roll (or bag) for transport, there's an ingenious alternative that you likely have never thought about — slipping knives into humble paper towel tubes. After using up a roll of paper towels, instead of tossing out those cardboard tubes, save them to store and carry your knives the next time you need to take them with you to a friend's cookout or other event.

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