If you already own professional kitchen knives and want to take proper care of them, follow a few basic rules: sharpen your knives regularly, do not wash them in the dishwasher, do not leave them in the sink, dry them 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 issue involving 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: on the wall using a magnetic strip, on the kitchen countertop in a knife block, or in a drawer in a special organizer. Regardless of which method you choose, when planning to purchase appropriate accessories for storing kitchen knives, remember a few points.
Magnetic Strip
If you have space on the wall, a magnetic strip is really a great idea for storing kitchen knives and other kitchen accessories, such as scissors or vegetable peelers. It is also a very nice way to display them, so everything is accessible and visible - you don’t have to struggle looking for the right knife 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, the magnetic strip is the safest method of storing kitchen knives because it has minimal contact with the cutting edge, which prevents damage.
When choosing a magnetic strip, pay attention to its dimensions and the possibility of purchasing additional elements, such as hooks for hanging kitchen accessories. Another aspect is the finish of the strips. You can choose from various materials, matching the strip to the kitchen decor and personal aesthetic preferences - personally, I like wooden ones the most. The most popular are strips made of natural wood and strips made of various plastics. Customers also often buy classic strips made of stainless steel, which are the easiest to keep clean. If your magnetic knife strip has strong magnets, remember to attach the knife to the strip first with the blunt side, i.e., the spine of the knife, to avoid damaging the cutting edge of the knife and the magnetic strip itself. It’s 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 a strip simply won’t fit the room’s decor, a knife block might be the right solution.
Knife blocks are convenient and mobile - they usually stand close to where you work, providing quick and easy access to 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 primarily pay attention to the number of knives the block can hold. This is especially important if you are just starting to assemble your "knife dream team" :) Some knife blocks are slanted, which allows convenient insertion of knives at an angle. Such knife blocks usually take up a bit more space on the kitchen countertop. If you are looking for a solution that saves some space and looks more elegant, choose a block where knives are inserted from the top.
Regarding proper care of kitchen knives, the way knives are inserted and removed from the knife block is important: remember that only the spine of the knife should contact the block. This way, you won’t dull your kitchen knives or damage your block. Unfortunately, knife blocks are hard to keep clean (especially the slots where knives are inserted), so cleaning will require appropriate accessories.
Storing Kitchen Knives in a Drawer
If you don’t have space on the wall or countertop, or if you have small children, the most convenient and safest place to store knives will probably be a drawer. It’s scary to think what could happen if a little 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 curious children’s eyes. Of course, you don’t want your kitchen knives to get damaged or dulled, so the blades of knives stored in a drawer should be properly protected. Some furniture companies offer appropriate knife organizers - if you don’t have such, we recommend getting blade guards. Thanks to them, the blades won’t touch each other or other utensils in the drawer, and you can safely reach into the drawer without fear of cutting yourself.
Saya, i.e., Wooden Sheaths for Kitchen Knives
Originally, the word “Saya” refers to the Japanese sheath for a samurai sword. Such a sheath was made of lightweight material, usually wood, and covered with decorative lacquer. Nowadays, Sayas are used for storing kitchen knives. It is a very effective way to protect your knife’s blade during transport or when you just want to store it in a drawer or on a shelf. For Saya to protect the blade well, it should fit the blade perfectly - ideally, it is purchased together with the knife; you can also consult the seller about the choice of Saya. Our Sayas are handmade by a small workshop. They are made of ash wood, which has very high moisture resistance. The Danish oil finish brings out the beauty of the wood grain and additionally protects against water. At the "entrance" of each Saya, there is a hole for a pin that "locks" the knife in the sheath and secures the blade from sliding out.
