Are you looking for some new ways to store your kitchen knives? In this article we’ll look at 15 kitchen knife storage ideas including some countertop storage, drawer storage and wall-mounted storage options too.
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15 Ideas on How to store Kitchen Knives
Below are various ways you can store your kitchen knives.
The list is numbered for convenience, not preference.
NOTE: traditional wooden knife blocks can potentially harbor germs because they are so difficult to clean inside the grooves. After you use your knives it is important to wash them – right away if possible – and then let them completely dry before storing them. Bacteria, yeast and other pathogens love moisture so putting them away wet is not a good idea.
The best way for you to store knives is the option that will allow you to safely store your knives, prevent germs, and have them within reach when you’re preparing your meals. This can depend on your kitchen setup.
Not all of these ideas will work for you, or for your knives, but hopefully you’ll find a knife storage solution that is right for you.
In my kitchen I have knives from several knife sets that I’ve accumulated over the years. I primarily use the wooden block that came with our Ginsu knife set, but I make sure they’re dry before putting them in there. And I store my other knives in a drawer. Since I have a small kitchen, everything is close at hand.
1) Magnetic Knife Strip (wall mounted metal strip)
A magnetic strip mounted to the kitchen wall near your food prep area is a great way to store your knives, utilize wall space, and still have them close at hand for when you need them (easy access).
This style of knife holder frees up drawer space and counter space. It is a great way to store knives in a small kitchen as long as you can store them high enough on the wall out of reach of small children.
A potential downside is that people with glass or tiled kitchen backsplashes may not want to drill into their backsplash. So they may need to move the strip to another location but this may not be as convenient.
And since magnets attract metal, they won’t work with ceramic blades.
Another downside to METAL magnetic strips like this one is that it may scratch the sides of your knives. This could be a deal breaker for some people. (If you care about this, see the option below.)
You can get magnetic wall strips at most hardware stores. Or you can check out this popular and VERY well-rated, stainless steel magnetic knife holder on Amazon.
2) Wooden Magnetic Knife Bar
If you want the convenience of having your knives on your kitchen wall, but you don’t want to scratch the side of your blades with a metal magnetic bar, then you should check out a wooden magnetic knife bar like this walnut version from the Made in the USA company woodSom. (They are made in Minnesota.)
You can get it in various lengths and made from different wood.
You’re sure to find a version that’ll hold your knives and suit the style of your kitchen.
RELATED ARTICLE: Check out these different ways to store a cutting board.
3) Magnetic Knife Block (free standing)
Doesn’t this look cool!
It is a wooden magnetic knife block that is magnetized on both sides. So you can stick knives and metal utensils to both sides of the block.
This is one of the best knife storage ideas if you have the countertop space for it because it’ll hold metal knives of various sizes, kitchen shears and other metal tools. It can hold about 6 knives per side.
That, and it looks great and is sure to get some compliments from your guests.
But will this work in your kitchen?
4) Rotating Knife Block
This is an interesting knife block because not only does it rotate, but you can put knives into the central opening (where there is plastic bristles to hold the knives), or you can stick knives along the outer edges because the sides are magnetic too.
It goes on your countertop, but it has only about a 5″x5″ footprint. So it doesn’t take up a lot of space.
A complaint some people have is that smaller knives can sink down into central compartment a bit. To remedy this you may want to store long knives in the middle part, and smaller knives along the external, magnetic sides.
Other complaints of blocks with plastic bristles is that your knives may cut the bristles while you’re inserting the blades.
But, if you’re looking for a rather inexpensive rotating knife block, you can check this one out.
5) 360 Knife Block – Original (a Made in the USA rotating knife block)
Here is another rotating knife block, but this is a Made in the USA product from 360 Knife Block.
This Original version does not have any slots or central compartments. Instead it is has magnets on its 6-sides that you can stick your knives and scissors on.
(They do make another version – the 360KB MAX – that has slots on top. )
It has a heavy 10-pound base to prevent your knives from tipping over.
The downside to this style of knife holder – like other countertop blocks – is that it takes up space on your kitchen counter.
This may not be a big deal for medium or large kitchens, but it may not be the best option for a small kitchen.
And the price may be too much for some people. (I’ll let you decide.)
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6) Universal Countertop Knife Block (by WUSTHOF)
Many kitchen knife sets come with a knife block. But if your knife block is damaged or you don’t like it, you can buy a knife block like this 17-slot acacia wood block from the German knife maker WUSTHOF.
A wooden knife block is a good option to store your knives if you have the countertop space, and if your particular knives will fit into the block you purchase.
This particular block has 17 slots including one large 2.25″ wide slot for a large Chef’s knife, 2 x 2″ slots for Chef’s knives or Santoku knives, and various size slots for paring knives, steak knives and a spot for kitchen shears too.
The downside to this option is that it take up countertop space. And some people feel they just take up too much space especially in a small kitchen. And remember to make sure your knives are dry before storing them in a wooden knife block like this.
You may want to drape a cloth or other dust cover over the block if you’re concerned with dust getting into the hard-to-clean slots.
Do you prefer your knife blocks to be made of different wood? WUSTHOF makes this from different wood too.
7) Unique, Easy to Clean Countertop Knife Block
This is a great-looking option if you want a countertop knife block, but you want one that is easy to clean.
This unique knife holder has two acrylic sides and a wooden top with 11 slots cut into the top.
The knives hang down from the wooden top and the bottom space is open.
You would have to be careful if you had young kids reaching up for the counter, but you need to be careful with kitchen knife storage around kids anyway.
The three major attractive features of this option are:
- its modern and stylish looks
- how it’s easy to clean
- and the price is reasonable too
It is really well-rated on Walmart.com but doesn’t have tons of reviews yet.
Click here to see current price at Walmart
8) Bamboo Knife Drawer Inserts (In-drawer knife block)
Lots of people store their knives in a kitchen drawer. This helps to save countertop space, but it can potentially be unsafe to just toss the knives in there. You don’t want loose knives all over your drawer, and the blade-on-blade scraping can dull or damage the blades.
To better organize your knife drawer you can get drawer inserts like this bamboo holder that holds your knife blades down.
An in-drawer knife holder can help keep you safer, and knives sharper because improper knife storage can dull the blade.
Below is a picture of the bamboo knife holder itself – this version holds 16 knives – note the knives don’t come with it.
This 16-knife model is about 11.5-inches wide. They also make a narrower 12-knife version that is 9-inches wide.
9) Plastic In Drawer Knife Organizer (by Joseph Joseph)
The company Joseph Joseph makes a lot of high quality home products and organizers.
This is this their plastic knife organizer.
It will hold up to 9 kitchen knives, and the blades need to be 9-inches or less.
This will fit inside most kitchen drawers, but anytime you’re buying a drawer organizer – of any kind – measure your drawer and measure the product to make sure it’ll fit.
10) Knife Drawer Cork Insert Tray (the Knife Dock)
Here is another way to store your knives inside a kitchen drawer.
It is a bamboo tray lined with cork and with cork dividers on the front end to “park” your knives between.
The manufacturer claims it is food safe cork and a rubber composite.
The picture below shows the product without the knives in it.
This Knife Dock measures 13-inches wide and 15-inches front to back. If you like this option, make sure it’ll fit into your drawer.
Click here for more details of the Knife Dock.
11) Get a Saya for your knives (wooden, protective sleeves)
If you have just a few knives that you want to put into a drawer, then you should look into protecting the blades (and yourself from cuts) by getting a wooden sleeve or another protectant for your knives.
This wooden sleeve shown here is called a Saya. And this particular saya is for Chef knives and Santoku knives with blades 7 to 8 inches long
Cleaning the inside of a wooden Saya can be tricky, so make sure you wash your knife right away after using it and allow it fully dry before putting it back inside the saya.
12) Edge Guard Knife Strips
To help protect you from sharp knife blades you can get edge guard knife strips like this from Messermeister.
Once the blades are protected you could store them inside a kitchen drawer with more peace of mind knowing you won’t cut yourself reaching to get them out. (Well, hopefully you won’t anyway.)
Messermeister makes these sheaths in a variety of different sizes.
Click here to see the available sizes.
13) Kitchen Counter top Cylindrical Knife Block
This is a unique-looking universal knife block from the company Toosbuc.
It is a plastic cylinder that stands just under 9-inches tall and has a removable top with wavy, plastic dividers. These dividers create the slots to slide your knife down in to. (Since the top is removable you can clean inside easier.)
I wondered whether it would tip over once the knives are inside, but several reviewers have claimed it is sturdy and didn’t tip over.
This would be a good option if you have several mismatched knives that you’ve collected over the years and you want a good countertop holder to store them.
Will this work for you?
14) Leather Chef’s Knife Bag Roll-up
The company Rustic Town makes this leather chef’s knife roll.
This may not be the greatest option if easy access is priority one, but this makes a great gift for chefs or people who want to store their knives in an eye-catching bag.
Below is a picture of the knife roll all rolled up as a bag.
Do you want to store your knives in something cool like this?
15) Wall Knife Rack (by Camco)
This product is called the “Knife Safe” by Camco. It is marketed as a knife holder for RVs and campers, but you could use it inside your home’s kitchen as well.
You can mount it to the wall or potentially inside the door of a kitchen cabinet.
16) DIY Knife Block Ideas
Do you want to tackle a new DIY project?
If so check out the YouTube video below where you can follow the instructions to make a DIY knife holder that is custom-made to fit your particular knife collection.
I hope you’ve found a knife storage idea that’ll work for your kitchen and your knife collection.
What I’ve noticed is that people – such as myself – will often have a couple different ways they store their knives. They may use a magnetic strip to store some knives, and yet keep other knives inside a drawer with a knife organizer.
It really comes down to analyzing your kitchen, looking at your food prep area and determining what will work best for your space.
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Now that you know how to store your knives…how about your cutting boards? Check out these cutting board storage ideas.
Are you a tea drinker? Check out these Tea Bag Storage Ideas to help organize and contain your tea.
Thank you.
Tim from LearnAlongWithMe.com
Tim worked in construction for a few years before going to university. Then he worked in a pharmacy for 10 years and now works as a full-time writer and online publisher. He has experience in several different, far-reaching lines of work.
“I sincerely hope you find the articles helpful and informative.”
Tim from LearnAlongWithMe.com
Tim worked in construction for a few years before going to university. Then he worked in a pharmacy for 10 years and now works as a full-time writer and online publisher. He has experience in several different, far-reaching lines of work.
“I sincerely hope you find the articles helpful and informative.”
Tim from LearnAlongWithMe.com
