The three Greatest Knife Blocks of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

Magnetic Discipline Energy: How the Common Knife Blocks Measured Up
Knife Block	Magnet Energy
360 Knife Block	23.5 mT
360KB MAX	17.42 mT
360 KB	21.2 mT
Schmidt Bros Downtown Magnetic Knife Block	20.35 mT
KITCHENDAO XL Bamboo Common Knife Block Holder	n/a
Dwelling Kitchen Magnetic Knife Block Holder	7.55 mT
Materials Knife Stand	11.5 mT
Kitchen Seven Knife Block Magnetic Knife Holder	10.45 mT
Zone Denmark Fashionable Danish Knife Block	n/a
Made In Knife Block	7.23 gT

To check the depth of every block’s magnetic discipline, we used a Gauss meter. We’ll admit: the Gauss meter was tough to function and readings jumped round an excellent bit relying on location. Nonetheless, one factor was clear: Overwhelmingly, the most effective common knife blocks had the strongest magnetic fields. For instance, our favourite, the 360 Knife Block, clocked in at 23.5 mT (Tesla), whereas a poor performer measured 7.55 mT. 

The magnetic discipline energy had a transparent sensible implication: The blocks with the strongest magnets stored knives in place when the blocks spun round or had been by accident jostled and even simply after we eliminated a knife. The weaker magnets resulted in blades actually not adhering to the block—falling off, tilting, or knocking into each other. 

Light-weight Knife Blocks Had been Problematic…and Harmful 

Our favourite knife blocks had been the heaviest, with the most important (the 360 KB) clocking in at 16.61 kilos and the lightest-of-the-heaviest (the Schmidt Bros) weighing almost seven kilos. Fairly the vary! Nonetheless, the Schmidt Bros was heavy sufficient and had an extended, sturdy metallic base, so it didn’t even shudder after we eliminated a cleaver. Light-weight knife blocks (weighing about three-and-a-half to five-and-a-half kilos) shook and even tipped over after we eliminated even simply an ordinary 8-inch chef’s knife. 

A Nicely-Made Knife Block? Shockingly Arduous to Discover

All we needed, actually, was a common knife block that: 

1. Match a large quantity of knives (a minimum of 10).
2. Didn’t tip over after we added or eliminated knives.
3. Had a robust all-over magnetic discipline (no magnetic lifeless zones the place paring knives simply lolled to the facet).
4. Was truly straightforward to wash.

However, shock, shock: These 4 factors eradicated 5 of the fashions we examined, and a few had designs that promised to be higher! And completely different! However, effectively, weren’t.

For instance, the Zone Denmark block had tons of of plastic straws that, in keeping with the product itemizing, allowed you to drop a knife “proper in, anyplace you please.” In actuality, these needles scratched at our blades and swallowed small paring knives.

The Standards: What to Search for in a Common Knife Block

The perfect knife blocks have sturdy magnetic fields and maintain quite a lot of knives of all lengths and widths (chef’s knives, paring knives, slicing knives, cleavers, and many others). They’re ultra-stable, too: they don’t shift round if you add or take away blades. Plus, they need to be straightforward sufficient to wash, requiring a fast swipe of a humid material. 

Our Favourite Common Knife Blocks

What we favored: With a design that rotates 360 levels—permitting you to simply entry any knife—and a super-heavy flared base, you’d be hard-pressed to discover a extra secure knife block. It had one of many strongest magnetic fields and knives felt safe wherever we put them.

What we didn’t like: The flared base implies that longer blades, like a slicing knife, stick up slightly extra. They nonetheless match, although. In fact, it’s costly—but it surely’s additionally handmade and manufactured in America.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Bamboo (obtainable in different supplies)
• Dimensions: 11 x 7.25 inches
• Weight: 14 kilos
• Care directions: Wipe clear with a humid material and dry; replenish as wanted with food-grade mineral oil

What we favored: Just like our general prime decide however with barely wider sides, no flared base, and a shorter stature, this secure block had the second strongest magnetic discipline of the lot. It seamlessly rotated 360 levels, too, and higher accommodated longer knives. For these with decrease cupboards that desire a rotating knife block, it is a nice possibility.

What we didn’t like: This was the heaviest knife block we examined and was tougher to maneuver. It’s additionally costly.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Bamboo (obtainable in different supplies)
• Dimensions: 10.25 x 8.15 inches
• Weight: 16.61 kilos
• Care directions: Wipe clear with a humid material and dry; replenish as wanted with food-grade mineral oil

What we favored: With two acrylic panes that sandwich an acacia knife block, this mannequin held 11 knives and did so effectively. It was secure, had a robust magnetic discipline (not as sturdy because the 360 fashions above, however shut), and was a protected possibility. With the acrylic buffer, it by no means felt like a knife may very well be by accident bumped and fall off the block. 

What we didn’t like: As a result of there’s a skinny house between the panes and the block, you needed to be exact about the way you inserted knives. The block scratched a bit throughout our sturdiness check and whilst you can unscrew and take away the panes to deep-clean issues, that is tedious.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Acacia, acrylic, stainless-steel
• Dimensions: 9.25 x 3.5 x 13.5 inches
• Weight: 6.87 kilos
• Care directions: Wipe down the outside; take away acrylic panes to wash the block

The Competitors 

FAQs

Does a knife block injury knives?

When used with care, none of our profitable knife blocks will trigger injury to knives. However be cautious any design that causes friction towards the blades. The Zone Denmark holder, for instance, had many plastic straws that scraped towards the metallic, inflicting marks and dings. Naked metallic knife holders could cause rust if moist knives are affixed to them.

What number of knives does a knife block maintain?

It depends upon the block in query and the dimensions of the knives, in fact, however our winners can all comfortably maintain a minimum of 10 knives.

How do you clear a knife block? 

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

Are knife blocks sanitary? 

The knife blocks we suggest have open sides that may be wiped down, which makes them straightforward to wash (and maintain sanitary).

Can you set a picket knife block within the dishwasher? 

No, you shouldn’t put a picket knife block (or something picket) within the dishwasher. It will trigger it to warp and crack—no good.

Why We are the Specialists

• Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the senior commerce editor at Severe Eats. She’s labored for the positioning for greater than two years and has reviewed air fryers, Ooni ovens, and extra.
• Riddley beforehand labored at America’s Take a look at Kitchen and has been reviewing tools for almost six years.
• For this evaluation, we examined 9 knife blocks. We evaluated their magnet energy, capability, stability, and extra.