--- slug: how_to_store_kitchen_knives category_path: home_kitchen/kitchen_dining/cutlery_knife_accessories/knife_storage title: "How to Store Kitchen Knives" lead: "Store knives so the edges never knock against other metal — in a block, on a magnetic strip, or in an in-drawer tray or edge guards — never loose in a drawer, which dulls them and cuts reaching hands. Put them away clean and fully dry so they don't rust or grow grime where you grip." recommendation: name: "A block, magnetic strip, or an in-drawer tray with the edge protected — never loose in a drawer" reason: "A knife edge dulls and chips the instant it bangs against other hardware, and a loose blade in a drawer is a cut waiting to happen, so safe storage protects both the edge and your fingers. A block keeps knives on the counter but wants regular crumb-cleaning, with blades slid in edge-up so the spine takes the wear. A magnetic strip on the wall saves drawer space and shows the whole set, as long as you place and lift each knife carefully so the edge doesn't scrape. An in-drawer knife tray or dock lays them flat and hidden, and simple edge guards (or a knife roll) let you keep them in a drawer safely and even travel with them. Whatever you choose, put knives away clean and fully dry — moisture rusts carbon steel and grime builds where the handle meets the blade — and never toss a bare knife into a drawer of utensils." published: 2026-07-08 updated: 2026-07-08 ---