If you already own professional kitchen knives and want to take proper care of them, stick to a few basic rules: sharpen your knives regularly, do not wash them in the dishwasher, do not keep them in the sink, wipe them dry after washing, and do not cut frozen products. If you want to learn more about how to care for kitchen knives, you can read our detailed guide here.
Proper storage of knives is more than just an organizational matter of finding the right place in the kitchen.
Properly stored knives will stay sharp longer, while also decorating your kitchen. There are three basic ways to store kitchen knives, namely: on the wall using a magnetic strip, on the kitchen counter in a knife block, or in a drawer in a special organizer. No matter which method you choose, when planning to buy the right accessories for storing kitchen knives, remember a few things.
Magnetic Strip
If you have space on the wall, a magnetic strip is a really great idea for storing kitchen knives and other kitchen accessories, such as scissors or vegetable peelers. It is also a very cool way to display them; thanks to this, everything is available and in plain sight – you don’t have to struggle to find the right knife that is hidden, for example, in a drawer. If you have beautiful Japanese knives, you are surely proud of them and don’t want to hide them from the world 🙂 In our opinion, a magnetic strip is the safest method for storing kitchen knives, because it has minimal contact with the cutting edge, so it doesn’t damage it.
When choosing a magnetic strip, pay attention to its dimensions and the possibility of buying additional elements, such as hooks for hanging kitchen accessories. Another aspect is the finish of the strips. We can choose from a variety of materials, matching the strip to the kitchen decor and personal aesthetic preferences – personally, I like the wooden ones the most. The most popular are strips made of natural wood and strips made of various types of plastic. Customers also eagerly buy classic strips made of stainless steel, which are the easiest to keep clean. If your magnetic knife strip has strong magnets, remember to apply the knife to the strip with the dull side first, i.e., the back of the knife, this way you will avoid the risk of damaging the knife’s cutting edge and the magnetic strip itself. It is worth developing this habit.
Below is a list of our recommended magnetic strips for kitchen knives.
Kitchen Knife Block
If you have little space in the kitchen or the magnetic strip simply won’t match the room’s decor, a knife block may be the right solution.
Knife blocks are convenient and mobile – they usually stand close to where you are working, providing quick and easy access to your knives. Some blocks are offered together with a set of kitchen knives, while others are available alone, without knives.
When choosing a knife block, you should first pay attention to the number of knives that the block can hold. This is especially important if you are just starting to put together your “knife dream team” 🙂 Some knife blocks are angled, which allows for convenient sliding of knives at an angle. Such knife blocks usually take up a bit more space on the kitchen counter. If you are looking for a solution that will save some space and look more elegant, then choose a block into which the knives are inserted from the top.
When it comes to proper care of kitchen knives, the way you insert and remove knives from the knife block is important: remember that only the back of the knife should have contact with the block. This way you won’t dull your kitchen knives and won’t massacre your block. Unfortunately, knife blocks are difficult to keep clean (especially the slots into which the knives are inserted), so cleaning will require the right accessories.
Storing kitchen knives in a drawer
If you don’t have space on the wall or on the kitchen counter, or if you have small children, then the most convenient and safest place to store knives will probably be a drawer. It’s scary to think what could happen if a small child noticed a shiny object on a magnetic strip or in a knife block… A properly secured knife in a drawer will be completely safe and hidden from the eyes of curious children. Of course, you don’t want the kitchen knives to get damaged or dull, so the blades of knives stored in a drawer should be properly protected. Some furniture companies offer special organizers for knives – if you don’t have them, we recommend getting blade guards. Thanks to them, the blades will not touch each other or other utensils in the drawer, and you will be able to safely reach into the drawer without fear of cutting yourself.
Saya, or wooden covers for kitchen knives
Originally, the word “Saya” refers to a Japanese samurai sword sheath. Such a sheath was made of a light material, usually wood, and covered with decorative lacquer. Currently, Sayas are used to store kitchen knives. It is a very effective way to protect the blade of your knife during transport or when you just want to store it in a drawer or on a shelf. For the Saya to properly protect the blade, it should be a perfect fit for the blade – it is best when it is purchased as a set with the knife, you can also consult the seller about the choice of Saya. Our Sayas were handmade by a small manufacturer. They are made of ash wood, which has very high resistance to moisture. The Danish oil finish brings out the beauty of the wood grain, while also providing additional protection against water. At the “inlet” of each Saya, there is a hole for a pin that “locks” the knife in the cover and protects the blade from slipping out.
