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How to Store Kitchen Knives

Knives tossed in a drawer go dull fast and cut fingers. The four safe ways to store them, compared.

Updated November 11, 2026 · 3 min read

The short answer

Store knives so their edges don't touch anything: in a knife block, an in-drawer knife tray, on a magnetic strip, or in individual sheaths. Never toss them loose in a drawer, where edges chip against other tools and fingers find them first.

The four good options

OptionBest forTips
Knife blockCounter space and a full collectionSlide knives in spine-down where possible; keep slots dry. Faith's Build Your Block sizes a block to your knives.
In-drawer trayClear countersChoose a tray that holds each knife separately.
Magnetic stripSmall kitchens, quick accessSet the spine on first and roll the blade on; pull off from the spine side.
SheathDrawers, travel, campingMake sure the knife is dry before sheathing. Cutco makes sheaths for most knives.

What never to do

Questions

What is the best way to store kitchen knives?

Anywhere the edges don't touch other objects: a block, in-drawer tray, magnetic strip or sheath.

Is it bad to keep knives in a drawer?

Loose in a drawer, yes: the edges chip and dull and it's easy to get cut. Use a tray or sheaths instead.

Do magnetic knife strips damage knives?

Not if you set the spine on first and lift off from the spine side so the edge doesn't scrape.

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