Many of us grew up with a big wooden knife block collecting dust on our parents’ kitchen counter. And for most of us, it seems a necessary part of the kitchen, almost as immovable as the stove.
But did you ever stop to consider if you really need one? Or to wonder whether it’s sanitary, effective, or the best use of your precious counter space? Here are five reasons you should consider ditching that big wooden knife block for good. Your knives will thank you.
1. It dulls your knives.
That’s right—the very tool that’s supposed to keep your knives safe is actually ruining them. According to Rosemary Trout, program director of culinary arts and food science at Drexel University, “if the knives don’t fit perfectly into each specific slot, you rub the tips and blades against the wood every time you remove or insert them, which can bend and sometimes dull the blade.” This forces you to sharpen those knives more frequently than usual, which, over time, wears down the blade—and wears out the knife.
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Even if you’re sure that your knives perfectly fit the slots in your block because you bought them as a matched set (see #4 for more thoughts on THAT!), this doesn’t guarantee your knives are safe. “Even when knives are a perfect match...you sometimes rub the blades against the wood,” says Trout. The end result is still a set of dulled or damaged blades.
2. It can harbor bacteria.
Super thin, deep knife slots are a breeding ground for all sorts of germs. According to Kantha Shelke, certified food scientist, these slots “can harbor residual microbes from knife blades...[including] Salmonella, E. coli, yeast, and mold.” Even knives that have been painstakingly cleaned and sanitized can contribute to the problem if they are not “dried completely before being slid into their holders,” since any residual moisture will help mold grow. No wonder a study from the National Sanitation Foundation found knife blocks to be one of the most contaminated kitchen items!
There are, of course, ways to clean a knife block. Guy Crosby, food science editor and adjunct associate professor at Harvard, suggests sanitizing it by “spray(ing) on a mixture of 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water.” While this excellent suggestion may help germaphobes sleep better at night, it doesn’t really address the dull blades, or any of the other issues listed below. Yes, there are more.
3. It wastes counter space.
Let’s look at some cold, hard numbers. A “starter” knife block from Wüsthof is 10.5 inches long and 4.5 inches wide at the base. It’s also 8.5 inches tall. Maybe not everyone has a tiny apartment kitchen like me, but even in large suburban home kitchens, counter space is still a premium.
With all today’s modern appliances (the air fryer, the blender, the rice cooker!) who has space for a giant wooden block housing 10 knives when, in reality, you’re only really using one or two? Trout agrees: “knife blocks take up valuable counter space, especially if you reach for the same knife, and not the others in the block most of the time.” Which brings me to my next point...
4. It encourages you to own unnecessary knives.
Many knife blocks come loaded with a full set of knives, including (but not limited to) a paring knife, trimming knife, utility knife, santoku knife, chef’s knife, serrated bread knife, boning knife, and several steak knives. But no one actually needs or uses that many different knives on a regular basis—not even professional chefs.
Think about it: when was the last time you reached for that trimming knife? In reality, all you need is a top-quality chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a good serrated bread knife. Maybe if you break down meat or fish often, you need boning or fish knife. All the others? A complete and total waste of money and space—just like the knife block itself.
5. You're missing out on a piece of super stylish kitchen decor.
A big chunky knife block isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing thing. Even if it has gorgeous wood grain, chances are it still might not match your kitchen's vibe. A wall-mounted magnetic knife holder, on the other hand, allows you to turn your knives into a stylish wall display, while simultaneously ensuring that they’re readily accessible whenever you need to one. A magnetic knife holder also solves many of the issues mentioned above, since hanging the knives from a magnetic strip eliminates the problems of incidental dulling and letting germs multiply in the slots. And it frees up your counter space, leaving room for that new indoor pizza oven you've been dying to buy.
Taylor Ann Spencer is the assistant food editor at Delish, where she develops recipes, creates recipe videos, and styles food. With a background in writing and theater as well as professional cooking, she enjoys sharing her love for global flavors and all things baking through informational posts, hosted videos, and just plain everyday conversations. When she's not cooking, she's brainstorming her next culinary mash-up. Mac 'n' cheese chili rellenos, anyone?
