The three Most interesting Knife Blocks of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

To examine the depth of each block’s magnetic topic, we used a Gauss meter. We’ll admit: the Gauss meter was powerful to operate and readings jumped spherical an excellent bit counting on location. However, one issue was clear: Overwhelmingly, the best frequent knife blocks had the strongest magnetic fields. As an illustration, our favorite, the 360 Knife Block, clocked in at 23.5 mT (Tesla), whereas a poor performer measured 7.55 mT.

The magnetic topic vitality had a clear smart implication: The blocks with the strongest magnets saved knives in place when the blocks spun spherical or have been unintentionally jostled and even merely after we eradicated a knife. The weaker magnets resulted in blades truly not adhering to the block—falling off, tilting, or knocking into one another.

Lightweight Knife Blocks Have been Problematic…and Dangerous

Our favorite knife blocks have been the heaviest, with the biggest (the 360 KB) clocking in at 16.61 kilos and the lightest-of-the-heaviest (the Schmidt Bros) weighing nearly seven kilos. Pretty the fluctuate! However, the Schmidt Bros was heavy enough and had a protracted, sturdy metal base, so it didn’t even shudder after we eradicated a cleaver. Lightweight knife blocks (weighing about three-and-a-half to five-and-a-half kilos) shook and even tipped over after we eradicated even merely an bizarre 8-inch chef’s knife.

A Correctly-Made Knife Block? Shockingly Onerous to Uncover

All we wished, actually, was a typical knife block that:

1. Match a big amount of knives (not lower than 10).
2. Didn’t tip over after we added or eradicated knives.
3. Had a strong all-over magnetic topic (no magnetic lifeless zones the place paring knives merely lolled to the side).
4. Was actually easy to clean.

Nevertheless, shock, shock: These 4 components eradicated 5 of the fashions we examined, and some had designs that promised to be larger! And completely totally different! Nevertheless, properly, weren’t.

As an illustration, the Zone Denmark block had tons of of plastic straws that, consistent with the product itemizing, allowed you to drop a knife “correct in, anyplace you please.” Truly, these needles scratched at our blades and swallowed small paring knives.

The Requirements: What to Seek for in a Frequent Knife Block

Probably the greatest knife blocks have sturdy magnetic fields and keep a variety of knives of all lengths and widths (chef’s knives, paring knives, slicing knives, cleavers, and lots of others). They’re ultra-stable, too: they don’t shift spherical whilst you add or take away blades. Plus, they must be easy enough to clean, requiring a quick swipe of a moist material.

Our Favorite Frequent Knife Blocks

What we favored: With a design that rotates 360 ranges—allowing you to easily entry any knife—and a super-heavy flared base, you’d be hard-pressed to find a further regular knife block. It had one in every of many strongest magnetic fields and knives felt secure wherever we put them.

What we didn’t like: The flared base signifies that longer blades, like a slicing knife, stick up just a bit further. They nonetheless match, though. Actually, it’s pricey—however it’s moreover handmade and manufactured in America.

Key Specs

• Provides: Bamboo (on the market in several provides)
• Dimensions: 11 x 7.25 inches
• Weight: 14 kilos
• Care instructions: Wipe clear with a moist material and dry; replenish as wished with food-grade mineral oil

What we favored: Identical to our basic prime select nonetheless with barely wider sides, no flared base, and a shorter stature, this regular block had the second strongest magnetic topic of the lot. It seamlessly rotated 360 ranges, too, and better accommodated longer knives. For these with lower cabinets that want a rotating knife block, this generally is a good risk.

What we didn’t like: This was the heaviest knife block we examined and was more durable to maneuver. It’s moreover pricey.

Key Specs

• Provides: Bamboo (on the market in several provides)
• Dimensions: 10.25 x 8.15 inches
• Weight: 16.61 kilos
• Care instructions: Wipe clear with a moist material and dry; replenish as wished with food-grade mineral oil

What we favored: With two acrylic panes that sandwich an acacia knife block, this model held 11 knives and did so properly. It was regular, had a strong magnetic topic (not as sturdy as a result of the 360 fashions above, nonetheless shut), and was a protected risk. With the acrylic buffer, it under no circumstances felt like a knife may be unintentionally bumped and fall off the block.

What we didn’t like: Because of there’s a thin home between the panes and the block, you wanted to be precise about the way in which you inserted knives. The block scratched a bit all through our sturdiness check out and when you may unscrew and take away the panes to deep-clean points, that’s tedious.

Key Specs

• Provides: Acacia, acrylic, stainless-steel
• Dimensions: 9.25 x 3.5 x 13.5 inches
• Weight: 6.87 kilos
• Care instructions: Wipe down the surface; take away acrylic panes to clean the block

The Opponents

FAQs

Does a knife block harm knives?

When used with care, none of our profitable knife blocks will set off harm to knives. Nevertheless be cautious any design that causes friction in opposition to the blades. The Zone Denmark holder, as an illustration, had many plastic straws that scraped in opposition to the metal, inflicting marks and dings. Bare metal knife holders might trigger rust if moist knives are affixed to them.

What variety of knives does a knife block keep?

It depends on the block in question and the size of the knives, in any case, nonetheless our winners can all comfortably keep not lower than 10 knives.

How do you clear a knife block?

Most knife blocks solely require you to wipe down their exteriors with a moist material.

Are knife blocks sanitary?

The knife blocks we advocate have open sides which may be wiped down, which makes them easy to clean (and keep sanitary).

Are you able to place a wooden knife block throughout the dishwasher?

No, you shouldn’t put a wooden knife block (or one thing wooden) throughout the dishwasher. This may occasionally set off it to warp and crack—no good.

Why We’re the Specialists

• Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the affiliate editorial director at Essential Eats. She’s labored for the positioning for better than two years and has reviewed air fryers, Ooni ovens, and further.
• Riddley beforehand labored at America’s Check out Kitchen and has been reviewing gear for nearly six years.
• For this analysis, we examined 9 knife blocks. We evaluated their magnet vitality, functionality, stability, and further.