Raising the Bar on Knife Storage

May 19, 2023 by Chef David

By Chef David

Improper knife storage can be a kitchen nightmare. It can be dangerous when you reach blindly into a cluttered drawer. The problem is compounded for small kitchens where storage and counter space are limited.  Storage solutions should place knives in a manner that gives chefs easy access, while at the same time keeping them clean, and secure. The most common solution, a knife block, is not suitable for small kitchen spaces, in addition, it can be difficult to properly clean and maintain.

We recently tested double-sided magnetic knife bars and found them to be the perfect solution for us. Attaching them to the refrigerator offers ample, easy access while protecting the knives from kitchen contamination. In addition, these powerful magnets can be used to store spoons and other metal objects. Double-sided magnet knife bars are attractive, easily installed practical solutions.

Keep Them Close

New cooks often purchase a knife set which often comes with a wooden storage block.  While this is a good starting point, I have discovered that it does not contain the knives I really want, and prefer purchasing specific knives. These additional knives do not fit into the allotted slots in the knife block.

I needed a storage solution that accommodates all my knives. I found my solution, double-sided magnetic knife strips which adhere to any metal surface while holding the knives firmly in place, and blade guards for specialized blades.

 

Saya – Blade Guards

I have a few prized knives which I do not store on the magnetic bar. For these knives, I like to use blade guards to safely store them in a drawer. Selecting blade guards designed for these specific knives keeps the blade fully protected.

A blade guard is a wooden sheath (saya), or plastic strip, perfectly sized for the knife. It is designed to provide maximum protection for each knife and prevent you from getting cut when reaching into a storage drawer.

For my Shun knives, I selected the appropriately sized saya and blade guards designed for these knives. This simple solution protects my knife’s from chipping, keeps my hands safe, and makes them safe to transport.

Shun is available online.

The Shun Brand  

Shun is a Japanese brand whose products are both high quality and elegant. Shun was created to bring Japanese cutlery to the US and European markets. The brand ‘Shun’ refers to the Japanese tradition of fresh seasonal, mindful eating. The Shun heritage is connected to Seki City, the heart of the Japanese cutlery industry since the 13th Century, with a long history of blade-making.

Shun balances ancient traditions of handcrafted quality, with modern, premium materials and state-of-the-art technology to provide quality tools.

Magnetic Knife Bars – An Ease to Install

The double-sided magnetic strips can be affixed to the refrigerator using magnets only, and stay perfectly in place. They also can be wall mounted which may be more secure.

When locating your knife strips be thoughtful, their powerful magnets make them difficult to move, which is ideal for holding knives. Store knives with the blades pointed upwards. This makes them easy to reach for, and safer in case they accidentally drop. Always locate the magnetic knife bar out of the reach of children and pets and select an area out of the way of foot traffic.

WooDsom

WooDsom magnetic knife holders are made in Minnesota. They are crafted from a variety of wood types, in a wide variety of styles, and lengths. WooDsom’s custom design allows you to select the wood type that matches your kitchen.

What impressed us most was their double-strength knife holder. It is so strong that it is perfect for keeping your knives safe, either horizontally or vertically, and it can even hold my smaller pans.

The distinguishing factor of WooDsom is the wood finish, which requires maintenance. They recommend cleaning it with light soap and water and then applying mineral oil.

WooDsom can be ordered online.

HM Magnets

HM Magnets specializes in the production of a wide variety of high-quality magnetic products. They specialize in providing innovative solutions for both personal and professional use. HM Magnets believes ‘everyone deserves to have access to high-quality magnetic products that make their lives easier’.

We found their magnetic knife bar durable, reliable, and easy to use.

We tested their 17″ double-sided stainless-steel knife bar with heavy-duty magnets on both sides, which can either be attached to the wall. This high-quality magnetic knife holder can hold your entire knife set securely and in easy reach attached to the side of your fridge or another magnetic surface in your kitchen.

The attractive knife bar is made of high-quality corrosion-resistant stainless steel and is designed with a sleek, elegant appearance.  HM Magnets’ Fridge Applicable (double-sided) magnetic knife holder comes in several sizes [12”, 17”, and 24”].

HM Magnets knife bar can be ordered online.

Protecting your Assets

When it comes to chefs and their knives, keeping them safe, and in arms reach is important.  We found the double-sided magnetic bar ideal for all kitchen types. It provides easy access to knives and metal items and requires no installation. We liked both HM Magnets and WooDsom magnetic knife bars as storage solutions, the main difference is personal preference and aesthetics.  For those special knives, we prefer blade guards that protect the knife blade and the chef’s fingers.

Location is important, protecting my ever-expanding knife collection, while putting them in arms reach from my cutting board, and out of harm’s way.  Magnetic knife bars let me have it all – easy safe storage that showcases and protects my knives.