The Best Ways to Store Knives, According to Experts

Weirdly enough, the rustling of an overpacked utensil drawer is a nostalgic sound for me. Growing up, searching for my favorite cooking spoons and untangling old balloon whisks had its charms — until knives got involved. Once sharp edges come into the mix, a fun game of Where’s Waldo tensely shifts to Operation. And all the experts agree: It’s a very dangerous game.

“Tossing knives into a drawer next to metal utensils or other kitchen tools is almost a guaranteed way to dull the blades or cause tiny chips,” says Shanna Jantz Kemp, knife maker at Jantz Supply. “This not only makes the knives less effective,” he adds, “but can also be dangerous because a nicked blade is more likely to slip when cutting.” Jared Schmidt, co-founder and COO of Schmidt Bros. Cutlery, says his safety concerns start in the drawer: “Reaching into a drawer filled with exposed blades is a quick way to end up with a finger injury.”

Instead of accepting the risk of knife roulette, every expert I spoke to recommends transferring your knives from an open drawer to dedicated storage. Here are their favorite knife storage solutions, including economical felt knife guards and an in-drawer knife block.

Best Expert-Recommended Knife Storage Tools Overall

Jantz Kemp keeps kitchen knives in a slotted bamboo block like this one. “It keeps everything organised, makes each knife easy to grab when I’m cooking, and the natural wood helps absorb any residual moisture from the blades,” he says. This 20-slot block has earned over 4,300 five-star ratings, many of which are thanks to its versatile sizing, with slots ranging from half an inch for honing rods to 3 inches for cleaver knives.

If you still prefer to use a drawer for kitchen knife storage, Schmidt urges that you “never put a naked blade in there.” Instead, he recommends an “in-drawer knife organizer that keeps the blades separated and facing down.” This bestselling, 16-slot bamboo knife block is the perfect fit and stores snugly in most standard kitchen drawers. Plus, the brand offers nine-slot and 12-slot models that are also on sale right now.

Most experts I spoke with prefer a knife block or an exposed magnetic knife holder. “However, if one prefers to store their knives in a drawer, edge guards are a simple and inexpensive solution,” says Bill Joseph, founder and CEO of Frontier Blades. According to Joseph, edge guards, such as this 10-piece set with felt liners, “protect the blade from damage.” And at only $1 apiece, this set is a relatively affordable investment to prevent finger injuries, too.

“I personally like a wall-mounted magnetic knife bar,” says Food & Wine Senior Writer and knife expert Jason Horn. He uses the Jonathan Alden knife bar to hold up to six of his most frequently used knives and save counter space. It’s pricey, but according to Horn, “it looks great and has just the right level of magnet strength.”

For a less expensive magnetic knife holder that’s just as stylish, choose our favorite wall-mounted knife strip from our knife holder tests. Despite its relatively low price and curved shape, its magnetic power is impressive and can hold your heaviest knives. Schmidt also prefers acacia wood in his magnetic knife block “for its durability and to ensure it looks as good as it performs.”

If you like to store your knives on the countertop, Joseph says, “a slotted universal knife block with removable rods is a nice upgrade over traditional wooden blocks.” The Oou block stores up to 16 knives, including kitchen shears and a honing rod, and the 5-inch slots in the center can handle your largest blades. And it’s a cinch to clean since the knife slots detach as one dishwasher-safe unit.

Magnetic knife holders aren’t only wall-mounted. Timo Horl, founder and CEO of Horl, prefers to use this countertop block from Schmidt Bros: “It is made of wood, nicely presents the knives, and you have everything at hand,” says Horl. One shopper calls the block, which holds up to 18 kitchen knives, “aesthetically pleasing and functional.”