Product photos are from the original SARACEN gallery. Additional illustrative images in the text were created using AI.
In brief: The worst place for a knife is loose in a drawer, where its edge hits other items and gets dull. The gentlest option for the edge is a magnetic stand or strip, where the knife is held by the flat of the blade. A block or stand is also good, as long as you insert the blade without dragging its edge across the wood. Always store the knife dry (this is especially important for Damascus steel, which is more sensitive than regular stainless steel) and out of children’s reach.
Article contents
Why storage matters
A knife doesn’t get dull only while cutting. It also gets dull in a drawer when its edge hits a wooden spoon, grater, or another knife every time the drawer is opened. On an edge sharpened to 20°, just a few such impacts are enough to leave you with tiny nicks instead of a sharp edge.
The second reason is safety. Anyone reaching blindly into a drawer is reaching among loose blades. And the third is moisture: a knife stored wet in a block or box will stay damp for hours. Moisture can leave stains on both the blade and handle; it depends on the specific material and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Comparison of storage methods
Magnetic strip and magnetic stand
The knife won’t scratch anything on the magnet, its edge hangs freely in the air, and you can see all the knives at once. To keep it that way, how you place the knife matters:
- First place the blade spine against the magnet, not the edge.
- Then place the blade flat against the magnet.
- When removing the knife, first tilt it away from the magnet by the spine, and only then lift it. Don’t drag the edge across the surface.
When the magnet has a wooden surface, the blade does not touch metal and won't get scratched. The SARACEN® knife stand is designed this way in its magnetic version too: the magnets are concealed inside the oak, and you place the flat of the blade against it. Check from time to time that the knives are held securely.
The SARACEN stand comes in three versions: magnetic oak for CZK 2,890, an oak wood block for CZK 2,590, and a rotating cherry wood stand for CZK 2,490.
How to choose a magnetic rail
- Length. Knives should hang side by side without their blades touching. If your knives only just fit on the rail, it's too short.
- Magnet strength. The magnet must hold the knife even if you accidentally bump it. Before hanging it, test it with the heaviest knife you own.
- Surface. Wood or another softer material over the magnets is gentler on the blade than bare metal, which can scratch it when you place it against the rail.
- Placement. Screw the rail firmly into the wall, out of children's reach. Do not hang it above the stove, where steam and grease settle on the knives, or directly above the sink.
Block and slotted stand
- Only put away a clean, dry knife. Moisture lingers in the slot, and the wood can start to develop mold.
- Guide the blade through the slot so the edge does not rub against the wood, especially when inserting and removing it.
- Clean the slots from time to time with a brush and let the block dry. Blocks with plastic rod inserts have the advantage that the insert can be removed and washed.
- Place the block away from the edge of the counter, preferably against the back wall. Keep it away from the stove and sink, because heat and steam damage wood, and water splashes onto knives near the sink.
The wooden version of the SARACEN stand is an oak block into which you slide the knives blade-first. The rotating cherry wood stand turns around an axis, so you can reach all the knives from one spot.
A drawer, with an organizer only
A drawer is safe only when every knife has its own place: an insert organizer with compartments, or a blade guard. Loose knives among other utensils damage both the blades and your fingers.
A blade guard is the cheapest way to store a knife safely in a drawer or take it with you. It is usually made of plastic, wood, or leather. Choose one that lets you slide the blade in without pressing against the edge, and don't put it on a wet knife, or moisture will remain trapped inside for a long time.
Knives with non-standard handles
Universal blocks are designed for traditional knife shapes, where the handle continues along the blade's axis. Knives with an offset handle, such as SARACEN®, may not fit some of them properly because the handle sits above the edge rather than along the blade's axis. So try a universal block before buying it. A magnetic stand is the simplest option: it holds the knife by the flat of the blade, so the handle's shape doesn't matter. The article Why the SARACEN® Knife Has a Different Handle Position Than Other Knives explains why SARACEN has an offset handle.
You can buy SARACEN stands separately or in sets with SARACEN knives. For example, the Profi set – Precision combines a SARACEN PRO 175 mm knife with a rotating stand, cutting board, and whetstone. Find all the sets in the SARACEN® Gift Sets collection.
Long-term storage and travel
- Wash the knife and dry it thoroughly before storing it, including around the handle.
- Apply a thin layer of food-safe oil to the blade. It will protect it from moisture until you take the knife out again.
- Put it in a blade guard or its original box and store it in a dry place. SARACEN knives with Damascus blades come in a cardboard box with magnetic closure.
- When traveling, for example to a cottage or to visit family for the holidays, always carry your knife in a guard or box, never loose in a bag.
Most common mistakes
- Putting the knife away wet.
- Leaving the knife in the sink or dish rack among the cutlery, where other dishes can knock against it.
- Putting the knife in the dishwasher. It damages both the edge and the wooden handle.
- Dragging the knife along the magnet edge-first.
- Leaving knives at the edge of the counter, where they can fall. The tip of a hard blade can easily chip if dropped.
Storing the knife is only half of caring for its edge. The other half is the cutting board you use and sharpening. Both topics are covered in the articles Which Cutting Board Is Best for Knives and How to Sharpen a Knife on a Whetstone.
Frequently asked questions
How should I store kitchen knives?
On a magnetic bar or stand, in a block, in a drawer organizer, or in a blade guard. Always keep knives dry and make sure the edges don’t hit other objects. Loose in a drawer is the worst option.
Does a magnetic knife bar dull knives?
It won’t dull knives if you place them on spine-first and remove them by tilting them away, not by dragging them along the magnet. The gentlest option is a magnet hidden under a wooden surface, where the blade doesn’t touch metal.
Is a magnetic knife bar safe?
Yes, as long as the magnet is strong enough to hold the weight of your knives and the bar is firmly attached, preferably out of children’s reach. Check from time to time that the knives are securely in place.
Can I keep knives in a drawer?
Only if each knife has its own place, such as in an organizer with compartments or a blade guard. Knives stored loose will get dulled by other utensils, and you can easily cut yourself reaching into the drawer.
How should I store a knife in a block?
Only slide it in when it’s clean and dry, guiding the blade so the edge doesn’t rub against the sides of the slot. Clean the slots from time to time and let the block dry.
How should I store a Damascus knife?
Keep it dry and store it in a dry place. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and dry the knife immediately after washing, including the joint and wooden handle. For longer-term storage, apply a thin layer of food-safe oil to the blade and put the knife in a sheath or box.
Will a SARACEN knife fit in a universal block?
It depends on the shape of the slots. The SARACEN handle sits above the blade, so test a universal block first, or choose a magnetic stand that holds the knife by the flat of the blade. SARACEN stands are available separately and in knife sets.
A simple habit does the most to preserve sharpness: dry the knife immediately after washing and put it back somewhere it won’t touch anything. A magnet, block, or drawer organizer will do the job; a loose drawer won’t.
Hero image: original SARACEN product gallery, composition adapted to a 5:2 format.