The Best Knife Block (And Other Things You Need To Know)

Knives are precious, especially to kitchen aficionados and dedicated homeowners. They want their cutting accessories to be in tip-top condition as much as possible. If you are one of these people, then you should get the best knife block you can.

A knife block serves as a compact and safe way to store your knives. Each of the compartments can effectively shield the blade of the knives against damage and preserve their sharpness too. At the end of the day, you will realize that these blocks are a better place to keep them than your drawers.

Many professional chefs are using knife blocks to house their various knives, but even ordinary homeowners like us have the right to buy them too. If you’ve already decided to get one, good for you! In this article, we list the best choices for knife blocks. So don’t go anywhere, we’ve got all your needs covered! So what are you waiting for? Read on!

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How To Find The Best Knife Block Set

Best Knife Block: A Complete Review

1. Chicago Cutlery Fusion 18-Piece Knife Block Set

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Peerless in design and performance, the Chicago Cutlery Fusion 18- Piece Knife Block Set is a product that kitchen lovers would certainly chase. It comes with 18 carbon stainless steel knives that have comfortable handles, which can be used with extreme precision, control, and convenience. The blades use innovative Taper Grind edge technology so their edges don’t dull easily.

The knife block is a beautiful piece of work with a sleek wooden design that will improve the overall aesthetics of your kitchen. Furthermore, the block is strong enough not to crack and stain. So you can guarantee that your knives are in good hands with this block!

The limited lifetime warranty of Chicago Cutlery is an additional benefit, but if you always wash and dry the knives before you put them in the block, you’ll maximize their potential and they will serve you for a long time!

Pros

• High-quality pine wood construction.
• Comes with various kitchen knives (santoku knife, partoku knife, paring knife, etc.).
• Sharpening steel is present.
• Effectively preserves the sharpness of the blades.
• Beautiful and robust construction.

Cons

• Knives requires regular hand washing.
• The knives do not line up very well when you put them in the block.

2. Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening 12-Piece Cutlery Set

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The Calphalon Classic is a complete package too. Apart from being a good knife block, you will also get a set of high-quality knives. Moreover, you can guarantee they will always be sharp, thanks to the built-in ceramic sharpeners in the block. Therefore, all the straight-edged knives automatically sharpen once you insert them.

The knife block also features a separate slot where there are no blade sharpeners. It is a good place to put your favorite bread knives. Even the world-famous Calphalon Classic Knives can fit in there! This knife block also comes with a SharpIN Technology to ensure that your knives are always capable of chopping, slicing, dicing, and cutting.

It is notable that the knife block is made from rubberwood, as the smooth and classy finish improves its modern ambiance. It’s compact and rigid design means it can be easily place anywhere in your kitchen! The knives that come with it also have labels on their handles, and it is an intuitive design that allows you to use them efficiently and hassle-free!

Pros

• The block has a solid design and body.
• Built-in ceramic sharpeners guarantee that your knives are always in top shape.
• The knife handles have labels.
• Protects your knives from stains.
• You can store kitchen scissors as well.

Cons

• The steak knife has half-serration, which does not suit some people’s preferences.
• Doesn’t include a bread knife.

3. Cuisinart 15-Piece Stainless Steel Hollow Handle Cutlery Knife Block Set

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When it comes to simplicity and efficiency, the Cuisinart Classic Stainless Steel Hollow Handle Cutlery Block Set is almost unrivaled. Unlike the other knife blocks here, it is the only one that has a black finish. As a result, it has a modern, high-quality feel. The block is also rigid as well. In fact, it is harder than some of the traditional wooden knife blocks out there!

The slots can efficiently take care of the blades of your knives. As long as you hand wash and dry them after use, they won’t rust or break. There is also no reason for you to fear the edges will get dull. After all, the wood itself will make sure your knives are always sharp!

We also love the fact that this wooden block is easy to clean. It’s a nice feature, considering that most of its competitors have difficulties when it comes to this aspect. There is a lifetime warranty as well, so your product and satisfaction are guaranteed!

Meanwhile, the knives are made from high-carbon stainless steel, so their accuracy and sharpness will be truly unparalleled. Their handles are also made from stainless steel. Therefore, using the knives will always be comfortable!

Pros

• High-quality knife block.
• The block ensures the knives are always sharp.
• It secures the knives properly.
• Both the block and the knives are easy to clean.
• Compact and modern design.

Cons

• Steaks knives have no serration.
• Knives are quite light.

4. Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set

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The Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set is a unique knife block set. All of the other knife blocks we featured have a wooden design. But that’s too conventional for the Mercer Culinary Genesis. Instead, it has a transparent glass design, which allows users to see the blades immediately. Therefore, there’s no need for any “guessing game” as to what the knives look like.

The glass compartment gives sufficient security for your knives and there is no friction between the glass and the blades. Therefore, your knives won’t dull easily. Of course, we can understand that some people will be reluctant when it comes to glass blocks. However, we can assure you that it is not brittle. In fact, it is stronger than your ordinary home mirror, and has become a tough contender that many professional chefs use!

Another good aspect is its NSF certification. Both the block and the knives meet the safety standards of the industry, you can be assured that this knife block set is both safe and efficient! So you will never regret buying this block!

Pros

• Glass construction allows you to see the knives easily.
• It has a burr-free design.
• The glass block has a non-slip property.
• It is surprisingly durable and stable (thanks to the tempered glass).
• This knife block set is safe to use.

Cons

• Limited knife slots.
• The knife block stand is too erect and tall.

5. DALSTRONG Gladiator Wood Block Set

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The craftsmanship of the DALSTRONG Knife Block Set is something that you can’t ignore. It has various construction elements and materials that enhance its rigidity and efficiency in handling your knives. The entire block set is made from Acacia, which has the reputation of being among the hardest woods in the world! Therefore, it is shockproof and immune to dents and scratches.

The DALSTRONG also emits a premium feel, with the smooth, caramel-colored finish improving its overall aesthetics. Apart from being a handy knife block, it is can also function as a decoration that goes with various kitchen styles. We can assure that it will be compatible with your setup because of its pleasing appearance and compact design.

The block can prevent the knives from rusting and becoming dull. As long as you hand wash and dry them, their quality won’t deteriorate as all! The blades have a high-carbon German steel construction and have undergone tempering as well to make them stain-resistant. In short, they can last you a lifetime!

Pros

• Extremely hard and knife-friendly block.
• Compact design (fits on small counter spaces).
• Doesn’t rust or dull the blades of the knives.
• Safe storage.
• Luxurious appearance.

Cons

• Fairly expensive.
• The knives require further sharpening.

Our Ratings

Knife Block Buying Guide

As we mentioned previously, a knife block is an essential kitchen tool for storing knives safely. They can also keep your knives in order, drastically improving your speed and efficiency in the kitchen.

You can see different varieties of knife blocks on the market today. Most of them are made of wood and steel and they store your knives in an inclined or vertical position. But, regardless of your preference, it is better to use a knife block than keep them in your utensil drawer. Apart from the convenience it brings, a knife block adds to the attractiveness and modernity of your kitchen.

There are some blocks out there that come as packages. They are sold together with a set of knives and other utensils, making them a cost-efficient choice. Of course, not all knife blocks are the same. Some contain four knives while others can house as much as thirty utensils!

Fortunately, choosing a knife block is not too complicated and there are only two factors that you have to keep in mind. They are:

Your Knives

Before you choose a knife block, make sure that you know the type of knives you have in your kitchen, and what kind of utensils you will put in the block.

For example, can the knife block cater for various types of knives, such as serrated knives and butcher knives, and will it be able to house different sizes of knives? These are questions only you can answer.

Functionality

Buying a knife block involves some critical decision-making. After all, this tool will be an addition to the counter space of your kitchen. If it doesn’t fit in well with the setup of your kitchen, then it might just add to the clutter.

In fact, a lot of homeowners today prioritize functionality over aesthetics. But if you will search well, you’ll find a knife block that can serve both of these two worlds.

Extra Considerations

Quality of the Knife

The construction and overall quality of the knife should also be a deciding factor. Obviously, high-end knives have a longer lifespan than cheap ones. But since they are expensive, they require extreme care as well. That’s the balance that you have to strive for when it comes to this tool. Therefore, if you have a set of ergonomically constructed knives, you should never throw them in your dishwasher or place them in your kitchen cabinet.

However, this doesn’t mean that your entry-grade knives do not deserve to be kept in a knife block. In fact, they need this storage system more than ever. Otherwise, you will just curtail their already short lifespan.

Most of the knives that come with knife blocks are:

• Titanium knives.
• Ceramic knives.
• Carbon steel knives.
• Stainless steel knives.
• High-carbon stainless steel knives.

Material of the Knife Block

When choosing a knife block, make sure you know what it is made of. Although it doesn’t affect the overall performance of the knife block, it still plays an important part in your final choice. We have already mentioned that most knife blocks today have a stainless steel or wooden construction, which is often bamboo, walnut, or cherry.

Most modern kitchens prefer wooden knife blocks. Apart from being sturdy, they also add a classy, stylish ambiance to your kitchen. However, it’s worth remembering that it’s hard to clean the compartments of wooden blocks. Although they are not common, there are still acrylic knife blocks out there.

These are the considerations that you have to remember when choosing a knife block. They should not trouble you, as they are fairly simple and easy to understand!

Final Verdict

Regardless of your choice, remember that knife blocks are essential kitchen tools. You don’t want to shorten the lives of your favorite knives, right? Therefore, you must ensure that they are stored safely. Otherwise, their sharpness and quality will easily deteriorate.

All of the knife blocks we featured here are the cream of the crop with qualities that make them stand out from the crowd. However, it is the Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening Cutlery Set that actually takes the limelight.

Apart from its quality design, it comes with an integrated sharpener, which will take extremely good care of your knives! Therefore, it is the best knife block that you can get on the market today!

Our Ratings

Did you learn from this article? What are your thoughts on these products? Tell us your views in the comment section below!