Why Magnetic Knife Blocks are a Great Way to Store Knives

There are lots of great ways to store your knives. However, magnetic knife blocks are one of our favorite kitchen storage solutions! Just as it’s important to properly store cutting boards to maintain their lifespan, knives also need extra care.
 
Keep reading to learn the different ways to store knives in your kitchen. And discover the benefits of choosing a magnetic knife block over other available options.

How to Store Knives

How you store your kitchen knives and cutlery is extremely important. Improper knife storage can dull the blades of your knifes more quickly than if stored properly. Storing knives correctly is also important for safety concerns. Loose knives in a drawer are an easy way to accidentally cut yourself.
 
To protect your knife blades and avoid accidents, knife storage separate from your other utensils and kitchen tools is a must. This keeps them from bumping into other items and damaging the edge. It also protects fingers from unintentional cuts.

Here are the ways you can store knives in your kitchen:

• Knife sheaths are a simple, yet effective way to store knives. This product is a basic sleeve that slips onto the entirety of the knife blade to protect both the knife and the user when it’s not in use. Sheaths are designed specifically for the knife model you are purchasing. Therefore, if your knife wasn’t sold with a sheath, this is likely not an option for storage.
• Similar to an artist’s roll up case used for paintbrushes and writing utensils, a chef’s knife roll bag is another off-the-counter option for storing your cutlery. Well suited for travel, leather is the ideal material for this product. They are used to protect knives from moisture, knicks and scratches when being transported from one location to another.
• Knife blocks are the most common way to store knives in the kitchen. While most people buy a knife block set with the knives included, you can also buy knife blocks without knives to build your collection over time. There are several types of knife blocks you can buy to store your knives. These include upright wood knife blocks, in-drawer knife blocks, universal knife blocks, magnetic knife blocks, and under the cabinet knife blocks.
• Finally, magnetic knife strips or holders are another option for kitchen knife storage. This style of holder is wall-mounted and easy to keep clean. However, they do expose your cutlery to dirt and dust and there’s no enclosure.

Magnetic Knife Blocks

We love the advantages magnetic knife blocks offer when storing kitchen cutlery. While there are numerous types of blocks available for purchase, our favorite are wooden magnetic knife blocks. Not only is wood a beautiful material for displaying these everyday kitchen tools, but they also provide better blade protection over metal blocks.

Why You Should Choose a Magnetic Knife Block for Your Kitchen

Magnetic knife blocks offer several benefits that you won’t get from a traditional wooden knife block.
 

• Because magnetic knife blocks don’t have interior knife slots, they’re easier to clean and therefore more hygienic. It’s challenging to clean the interior of a traditional knife block. Therefore, dust, debris and bacteria may accumulate inside.
• They dry quickly as they have a large flat surface area versus slots where moisture may get trapped.
• Magnetic knife blocks come in a variety of designs and styles. So, it’s easy to find one that works for you as a decorative storage solution!
• Unlike blocks with slots, the magnetic version can hold any size or style of knife. You aren’t committed to your chef’s knife going only in the designated spot. Without limitations to the number of knives of a certain size, you have more options.
• If you have other stainless steel kitchen tools, you can use your knife block to hold these instruments as well. So, your pizza cutter or kitchen shears can also be kept handy for daily use. Or use it to safely store your Ulu knife if you’ve lost the sheath to your blade.
• They are a convenient way to organize and store your knives, so they remain within easy reach and are always readily accessible.
• Magnetic knife blocks help to keep your blades sharp. Unlike wood knife blocks, they aren’t accidentally rubbing against wood when being inserted inside a knife slot. They also won’t rattle against once one another which can damage the edge.
• Furthermore, magnetic blocks fit neatly on your kitchen countertop. So, there are no holes to drill in the wall as with magnetic knife strips.

How Do Magnetic Knife Blocks Work?

Just like regular wooden knife blocks, magnetic knife blocks sit on your counter and provide a place to store and organize your cutlery. Rather than providing a slot for each different type of knife however, you attach your knives directly to the face or sides of the block depending upon the style.
 
To make this type of knife block functional, it contains either a medium or heavy-duty strength magnet inside the block to hold the knives in place. Neodymium magnets, also known as rare earth magnets, are most commonly used for this application as they are incredibly strong and reliable.
 
The magnets used are contained and hidden inside the knife block, surrounded by either wood, metal or plastic, to provide a decorative exterior for display. Not only are magnetic knife blocks a beautiful and functional way to store your prized cutlery, but they are also a safe storage solution for knives.

How to use a Magnetic Knife Block

To store knives using this method, simply place the knife onto the block. The magnet inside will then hold it securely in place until it’s ready to use.
 
For countertops blocks, we advise placing the knives on the block with the handle facing upwards and the blade facing down toward the counter. This will help to prevent cuts from accidentally grabbing the wrong end of the knife. When placing knives onto the block, set the back end of the knife on the block first, so the sharpened blade lands on it last.
 
To remove a knife, take it by the handle and gently pull it off the block. As you do so, slightly twist the knife as you pull so that the side with the blade comes off the block first. By doing this, you avoid scraping the blade against the block and hastening the dulling of the blade.
 
In addition, you want to take care not to overload the block with knives. We recommend you leave ample space between each blade for your own safety as well as to protect the integrity of the blades. By providing room between the knives, you help to prevent them accidentally bumping against one another and chipping or damaging the metal.

Are Magnetic Knife Blocks Bad for Knives?

Magnetic blocks are a wonderful way to store knives. But are they bad for your knives? As long as you are using a well-made, quality wooden magnetic knife block, this storage solution isn’t bad for your knives. When used correctly, they are a sturdy solution to keep your cutlery organized when not in use without risking damage to the blades.
 
Additionally, there is no evidence to suggest that magnets damage knife blades over time.

Are Magnetic Knife Holders Safe?

Magnetic knife holders are a safe solution for storing knives. Not only do they keep your knives stable to avoid damage to the blade, but they also are more sanitary than a traditional wooden block.
 
For the best results, we recommend that you choose a wood magnetic knife block for storage. This ensures the magnet is strong and durable enough to last. Cheap magnets will lose their holding power over time and can cause knives to slip or fall.

How to Clean a Wooden Magnetic Knife Block

Cleaning a regular wood knife block can be tedious. Not only do you have to soak the block in a mild bleach (or vinegar) solution to kill bacteria that may be lingering inside the slots, but you also need to take care that it dries thoroughly so there’s no mold growth.
 
Wooden magnetic knife blocks on the other hand don’t have slots that collect food particles or debris. As there are no holes to contend with, cleaning a magnetic block is a lot easier. Simply clean your block with hot soapy water, then dry with a clean dishtowel.

Where to Buy Wood Magnetic Knife Blocks

The magnetic wood knife block from LifeLong Gifts is an ideal way to store your knives and kitchen cutlery sets. This stunning, universal knife block is crafted from richly hued, environmentally friendly rubberwood. Measuring 11.75” wide by 8.75” tall, the sleek design makes it perfect for any countertop. While its eye-catching design provides a beautiful way to display your knives.
 
Compatible with most knives (not all knives stick to magnets depending on the materials used to make them) this artful block also boasts a keepsake medallion on the side of the block. This medallion can be engraved to create unique client gifts with your choice of personalization. Or buy one for your own kitchen along with our amazing custom cutlery!

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