My favorite way to store knives is on a magnetic strip. If you don’t care to permanently add to a kitchen wall, a wooden knife block works just as well, even if it takes up a bit of precious counter space. If you use a knife block to keep blades safe when not in use, one tiny change in how you slide them in will keep the blades sharper for longer.
So what is the trick to using your knife block properly? Storing them upside down so that when you slide the knives in or out, it’ll keep the edge from rubbing against wood.
This brilliant knife storage tip comes courtesy of Nina Dols, founder and CEO of mail-order knife-sharpening service KnifeAid. I spoke with Nina about this and more common mistakes made when storing kitchen knives.
What’s the best way to store kitchen knives?
Knife drawers offer specialized storage for each blade.
“A countertop knife block, an in-drawer insert or a knife roll. Anything that keeps the knives separated and the edges protected. If you must keep your knives in a drawer and don’t have an insert, make sure to put a sleeve on each of them.”
Dols notes that she keeps hers in a drawer. “We have little children and lots and lots of knives. Therefore, we have a drawer with three inserts with a child lock. The knives we use less frequently, we keep in rolls.”
Mistakes to avoid when storing knives
Not only will this ruin your knife, but you’re bound to hurt yourself eventually.
“Throwing the knives in a drawer and putting them away dirty and/or wet,” according to Dols. “And you should always hand wash your knives and dry them completely before storing them in a safe block, sheath or on a magnetic bar.”
“While we’re at it, never put knives in the dishwasher. If you see a tiny bit of rust on your knives, make sure to remove it immediately with a scrubbing sponge.”
Are magnetic knife bars safe to use?
Magnetic bars are safe as long as you use them properly.
Dols stresses that magnetic knife bars are safe as long as they’re used correctly. However, when the knives are removed the wrong way or scraped against the metal, the blades can scratch or bend, the latter being the most common issue.
“When putting the knives on a magnetic bar, start by placing the spine on the bar and rolling the rest of the blade onto the magnet, finishing with the edge. When removing knives, lift off the edge first and roll off the rest of the blade, finishing with the spine,” reversing the motion of placing the knives on the bar.
If you’re going to use a magnetic bar, you might consider springing for a wooden model.
Considering the extra effort and care that goes into proper use of magnetic knife blocks, this might not be the best method for everyone. Using a wooden knife bar instead of a metal version can help mitigate dings to your knife’s edge.
If you use a knife block, store it upside down.
Store your knives blades up to avoid the edges rubbing against the wood.
“Wooden blocks are great for storing knives,” Dols explains. “The best knife blocks allow knives to rest suspended without the blade rubbing against any machine material. If you want to be extra gentle on your knives and your block has vertical slots, put the knives in with the spine down and cutting edge facing up.”
Do different knives require different storage?
Most knives should be stored as outlined above, but if you own high-carbon knives, storing them in a dry environment is even more important so they don’t rust or tarnish.
For more, see our list of common mistakes people make when caring for knives and the best chef’s knives to buy in 2025.
