Knife blocks perform a wide variety of important functions that are related to safety, hygiene, and organization of knives. People often forget how critical these kitchen items are because of how commonplace they can be. Nonetheless, they are true essentials in the kitchen as they contribute to the product life of knives by protecting their blades.
This makes them crucial especially for professionals that rely greatly on the sharpness of their knives’ blades such as professional chefs and sushi masters. But is it only for them? Absolutely not. Whether you are a kitchen professional or a typical individual who loves to cook, a knife block is a must for you.
But how would you pick the right knife block for you?
The wrong knife block can dull the edge of the knife, damage the tip, bend the blade, or cause it to rust. There are even times when knife blocks accumulate slimy substances that can lead to contamination. You wouldn’t want that for your kitchen, would you?
Then, have a look at the five knife blocks being here. Not only will they help you keep your knives safely tucked away, but they’ll also ensure that you can cook hygienically while giving you other essential functions.
Best Knife Blocks Comparison & Rating
Image | Knife Blocks | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 95% | |
| 94% | |
| 93% | |
| 91% | |
| 90% |
Want to Learn More?
Before you decide what knife block to buy, you might want to find out more about the best options available. This is to make sure that you will absolutely enjoy the knife block that you would get for your kitchen. Also, be sure to click the yellow buttons below to see their best deals on Amazon! With that, here are five of the best options that we found especially for you.
Cook N Home NC-00326 Knife Storage Block
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 10.25 x 4.75 x 9.25 inches |
Color | Natural Bamboo |
Material | Bamboo |
Weight | 4 pounds |
This is the kind of knife block that is great for any home. It has enough slots to accommodate most types of knives that are used at home. Blade sharpness will not be affected either, so knives will not become dull by simply inserting them into these blocks. Any moisture or water droplets will drain right out of the block, as well. So there is no risk of sludge buildup or rust. Most of all, this knife block is made of bamboo which is a good material in preventing serious damage in the knives’ blades.
Coninx Magnetic Knife Block
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 21 x 21.6 x 12.4 inches |
Color | Natural |
Material | Bamboo |
Weight | 3.11 pounds |
This knife block follows the same principle as magnetic strips, but makes it more stylish and safe. The block is placed on a table where the knives will be placed, so there is no risk of blades getting dulled due to constant friction. Getting knives is also just a matter of reaching toward the block instead of leaning over the counter. This minimizes the risks of knocking things over and making a mess. Cleaning this knife block is just a matter of wiping it down, thanks to its smooth surface.
KITCHENDAO XL Universal Knife Block
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 9.8 x 9.4 x 4.9 inches |
Color | Natural |
Material | Bamboo |
Weight | 3.44 pounds |
This is an excellent, space-saving knife block. It comes with a ton of expandable slots that won’t dull the blade. The block itself is light, which makes it fairly easy to clean and dry. Due to the design of the slots, sliding knives into them doesn’t take concentration or the need to aim. This frees you up to focus on other things while cooking.
Henckels International Knife Block
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 16 x 1 x 5 inches |
Color | Wood |
Material | Wood |
Weight | 4.5 pounds |
If you have a standard knife set with normal sizes for home use, this knife block is perfect for you. It can accommodate chef’s knives under eight inches, as well as all accompanying blades at around the same size range. The high-quality wood will ensure that the sharpness of the knives won’t be affected when pulling them out or putting them back in. The angled design also makes drawing knives much easier. The solid build also ensures that this knife block will last a long time.
OOU Universal Knife Block Holder
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 5.9 x 5.9 x 9.84 inches |
Color | White |
Material | Plastic |
Weight | 1.95 pounds |
This is a fairly stylish knife block that would look great in small apartments or office kitchens. It can hold long, thick knives of any shape. It can even hold kitchen scissors and other utensils, if necessary. The knives themselves easily slide in and out, so it’s easier to store them. The knife block itself takes no effort to wash and air out, so hygiene is never a problem. It saves a lot of space, as well, and won’t get in the way when cooking.
Knife Block Buyer’s Guide
Knife blocks should be able to hold multiple knives and accessories. This is one of the biggest factors that you need to consider when buying this product. Every single knife you use in the kitchen should be sheathed or secured. Fortunately, there are blocks that can accommodate as many as 20 knives.
Knives should be clean when they are used to prepare food. The risk of contamination from dirty blades is high if the knife block contains dirt and residue. To avoid this, knife blocks should have reliable drainage systems. It would be preferable if they have antimicrobial properties, as well.
Whether the knife block is made of wood, plastic, or metal, they should all be of the highest quality. This means that they should be smooth, sturdy, and sourced from the best suppliers. There is a huge difference between artificial bamboo and organic bamboo, after all.
Knife blocks need to be cleaned from time to time, so they should have features that make this easier. There should be drainage systems to let water out and for air to circulate if you need to dry them. Mold, sludge, or gunk should be easy to remove once they start appearing, as well. This will help keep your knives clean while they’re in the block.
Knife blocks should be designed to take advantage of the space available to them. Each slot should properly accommodate the knife they are meant for. If they are too small and tight, they could make the knives duller. Choosing knife blocks that are compact and save space would be recommended as well.
FAQs
Different materials have different pros and cons. Wood is tough, plastic is light, and metal is durable.
Knife blocks with slots are typically safer, but magnetic blocks are more convenient and take less effort to clean
As many knives as you have or are planning to buy. You can leave one or two slots free just in case, as well.
Slotted knife blocks can affect the sharpness of the knife, but not by much. With a honing steel, this issue should not become a big problem.