The Best Knife Storage Is Magnetic, Not Slotted (And Never Loose in a Drawer)

You’ve done away with those blunt-as-a-butter-spreader knives you’ve been using since college and invested in some quality blades. You’ve got your knife sharpening routine down pat. You’ve finally taught your roommate to never put your knives in the dishwasher. If all of these things are true and you’re still tossing your prized cutlery into a kitchen drawer, you’re undoing all that good work.You and your knives both deserve better, so consider this your wake-up call. Storing knives properly isn’t just a tenet of good kitchen organization practices—knives that have a proper home will stay sharper longer, extending their lifespan and saving you the hassle of constant sharpening.Our top picksBest magnetic knife strip: Jonathan Alden Magnetic Wooden Knife Bar Holder StripBest magnetic knife stand: Quince Magnetic Knife BlockBest in-drawer knife organizer: Made In 9-Piece Knife OrganizerWhile the best way to store your knives depends a bit on your kitchen setup and personal preferences, there are some methods you should definitely avoid.One is stashing them loose in an unlined drawer, where they’re bound to get damaged or hurt someone. Another is a traditional slotted knife block. That may seem like a bold claim, but let me explain: A wooden knife block’s slots are nearly impossible to clean, which means they become receptacles for grime and dust over time. Knife blocks can also be limiting—unless your array of knives perfectly aligns with the number of slots your block has, you may end up with extra slots you have no use for, or find you don’t have enough slots to fit your entire knife collection.When we polled the Bon Appétit staff about the best way to store knives, we learned that this opinionated bunch can indeed agree on something: The best knife storage solutions for most kitchens include some sort of magnet. This can take a couple forms, which we’ll get into below. And if you’re absolutely married to storing your blades in a drawer, we’ve got a few recommendations for that too.Magnetic knife stripsMagnetic knife standsIn-drawer knife organizersMagnetic knife stripsChoose this type of knife storage if: You have no counter or drawer space to spareA wall-mounted magnetic strip was the overwhelming winner when I asked my fellow BA staffers how they prefer to store their knives.What makes this solution a favorite for amateur home cooks and pro chefs alike? For one, it allows you to store knives of all shapes and sizes without worrying about the number and length of built-in slots you have in a knife block. This makes them an ideal option for people whose knife collections include a medley of santokus, cleavers, nakiris, paring knives, and boning knives—you can even store your kitchen shears on these things.Another pro? Magnetic strips take up zero kitchen counter or drawer space (a major win in small kitchens especially). They also couldn’t be easier to clean with a quick wipe down.The only real downside to this type of knife storage is that it’s not the most renter-friendly solution, as most models are designed to be drilled into a wall. As a workaround for those who are power-tool averse, Bon Appétit creative development director Ian Stroud tells us you can use heavy-duty Command strips to affix your magnet to the wall, but you’ll need to select adhesives with a high weight limit.It’s also worth considering whether you want an all-metal strip or one with a wooden exterior. Wood is a softer surface than stainless steel and therefore can help protect your knives from wear caused by scraping against the strip. The downside is that not all wooden magnetic strips are created equal. Senior cooking and SEO editor Joe Sevier notes that he once bought one where the magnets were not evenly spaced throughout the length of the strip, which meant there were areas that couldn’t support the weight of his knives.Jonathan Alden Magnetic Wooden Knife BarJonathan AldenMagnetic Wooden Knife BarThis wood option from Jonathan Alden has a single magnetic strip running through it (to help prevent a repeat of Joe’s experience). It’s lightweight and comes in a variety of lengths, and you can choose between walnut or cherry wood.Modern Innovations Stainless Steel Magnetic Knife BarModern InnovationsStainless Steel Magnetic Knife BarIf you’re on a budget or prefer the look of an all-metal strip, opt for the Modern Innovations Knife Bar. It’s been Ian’s model of choice for years, and performed just as well as a strip twice its price when I tested it. It comes in sizes ranging from 10"–24" in length and will run you $16–$33, depending on which you choose.Veark Magnetic Knife RackOur social media manager Emma Jacobson purchased the Veark Magnetic Rack for her partner after it took over his Instagram feed: “It’s a master class in minimalistic design… We use the rack to store anything magnetic in our kitchen, including knives, scissors, a Microplane, and our kitchen thermometer, and we hang our pots and pans off the hooks. It’s a huge space saver in our small NYC apartment." Jacobson bought two and noted that they “Lego together," with no hardware required aside from the screw that fastens them to the wall. You can also purchase containers and shelves that attach to the rack to store your wooden spoons, spatulas, tongs, tweezers, and more.Magnetic knife standsChoose this type of storage if: You’re emotionally attached to having a freestanding blockIf you lack wall space or are highly attached to the idea of having a knife block on your counter, a magnetic knife stand is another great storage solution that allows for flexibility and easy cleaning, all while protecting your blades from damage. Your knives go on the outside of these narrow, freestanding blocks, which typically have wooden exteriors and magnetic cores.Quince Magnetic Knife BlockQuinceMagnetic Knife BlockWe love that Quince's Magnetic Knife Block combines functionality and design. It has all our must-have features of this type of knife holder, such as storing up to eight knives and a non-slip base, plus its sleek design is constructed of sustainably harvested black walnut. Perhaps the best part is the price: It's nearly half the cost of comparable models.Zwilling Slanted Magnetic Knife BlockZwillingSlanted Magnetic Knife BlockThis model from Zwilling combines the form of a traditional slotted knife block with the functionality you get from a magnetic stand. It’ll take up a bit more countertop real estate, but can hold an impressive 10 knives and is the most secure option of the ones listed in this section.Other great optionsMarcellinMagnetic Acacia Knife BlockSteelport Knife Co.Knife BlockThese are the four models I would recommend if you’re opting for a typical magnetic knife stand. They all contain ultra-strong magnets to grip whatever assortment of knives you have at home (each block fits 5–8 knives depending on the model). Choosing between them ultimately comes down to which best fits your kitchen, stylistically and literally. If you’re tight on counter space, the Marcellin is the narrowest of the bunch at less than 3 inches wide, and also has the largest capacity thanks to its curved sides, which can hold up to seven knives each.In-drawer knife organizersChoose this type of storage if: You have a lot of drawer space and can’t stand the sight of cluttered countertopsI’ll say it again for the folks in the back: Some form of magnetic knife holder is really the best way to go. But some people are married to keeping their knives tucked away in a drawer for one reason or another. If that’s you, don’t fret. I’ve found some excellent in-drawer organizers that will serve you well. These can all hold both large chef’s knives and smaller paring or steak knives and can fit a 10.5" bread knife comfortably.Made In Knife OrganizerA wooden drawer insert will be the most forgiving on your knives, and this model from Made In is the one senior commerce editor Noah Kaufman uses in his home. He likes that it’s got grippy feet on all four corners to keep it steady, a crossbar that keeps most large knives supported without putting weight on the blade, and magnets on each side that allow you to tack on a three-piece extension if need be.Oxo Good Grips Compact Knife OrganizerOXOGood Grips Compact Knife OrganizerThis plastic organizer from Oxo is handy because the slotted tray can be removed for easy cleaning. It fits up to five small knives and four large knives, which is a smaller capacity than the magnetic models above but still large enough to accommodate most home cooks’ knife collections.Misen Modular Knife Storage SetMisenModular Knife Storage 5-Piece SetThis model from Misen is particularly nifty because it’s modular. You can buy a three-, five-, or nine-piece set to get you started, and then purchase additional pieces individually as your knife collection grows. The whole thing is magnetized, which helps each piece click together easily and keeps your knives secure.