What is the best way to store Japanese knives?

A magnetic knife rack or magnetic stand is the best storage option for Japanese knives. It holds each blade individually without any edge-to-edge contact, allows the knife to be grabbed and returned in a single motion, and keeps blades visible so you can select the right knife at a glance. Wall-mounted racks also save counter and drawer space.

Do magnetic knife holders damage knives?

No, a well-made magnetic knife holder will not damage your knives. Quality magnetic racks, like ours, use a wood or padded surface between the magnet and the blade, preventing scratches. The magnetic force is calibrated to hold the knife securely without requiring excessive force to remove it. The only scenario where damage could occur is with very cheap, exposed-magnet strips that allow steel-on-steel contact.

Is a knife block or a magnetic rack better?

Magnetic racks are generally superior for Japanese knives. Traditional knife blocks can harbour bacteria in their slots, dull edges as blades are inserted and removed, and limit you to a fixed number of knives in predetermined sizes. Magnetic racks accommodate any number or size of knife, are easy to clean, and keep blades visible. The only advantage of a block is that it requires no wall installation, though our freestanding magnetic stand addresses this.

Where should I mount a magnetic knife rack in my kitchen?

The ideal location is on the wall near your primary cutting area, at a height that allows you to grab a knife comfortably without reaching or bending. Avoid mounting directly above the stove, where heat and grease can affect the knives, or in high-traffic areas where someone might brush against exposed blades. Our article on the best places to hang a magnetic knife rack covers ten practical placement options.

Storage

Somewhere safe for the edge.

Magnetic stands and wall racks. Not a drawer.

A drawer is the worst place for a Japanese knife. The edge knocks against everything else metal, the spine takes scratches, and you don’t see the knife, which means you don’t reach for it. A magnetic rack or stand fixes all three.

Our storage is hand-finished in Europe from oak or walnut, with copper, brass or steel hardware. Each piece is built around a strong magnet that holds the blade gently and lets you lift it cleanly off.

Wooden Magnetic Knife Stand Block

from $193

Oak or walnut · Freestanding

A stand block for the kitchen counter or a shelf. Holds several knives by their spine, off the board and out of the drawer.

Wall Mounted Magnetic Knife Rack: Steel

from $193

Oak or walnut · 50cm or 70cm · Steel

A long magnetic rack that mounts to the wall. The classic choice: clean, quiet, lets the knives breathe.

Wall Mounted Magnetic Knife Rack: Copper

from $193

Oak or walnut · 50cm or 70cm · Copper

The same rack with copper hardware. Warms over time. For kitchens with a little weight to the metalwork.

Wall Mounted Magnetic Knife Rack: Brass

from $193

Oak or walnut · 50cm or 70cm · Brass

Brass against oak or walnut. The classical kitchen-metal pairing, hand-finished.

Wooden Kitchen Utensils Holder

from $111

Oak or walnut

For the things that don’t belong on the magnetic rack, wooden spoons, whisks, ladles. Made from the same wood as the boards and racks.

Signature Wooden Tray

from $104

Oak or walnut · Three sizes

A tray that earns its place: for bread and tea on a Sunday, for the things you bring through to the table.

Wooden Triple Trivet Stand

from $83

Oak or walnut · Nesting set

Three trivets that nest into one another. For the pot that comes straight from the stove to the table.

Hexagon Brass & Marble Kitchen Roll Holder

$111

Cast brass · Marble base

A kitchen roll holder with the weight to stay put, cast brass on a marble base, for the counter that earns a little shine.

A note on care

Wood ages best when it’s fed. Wipe with a dry cloth, keep it out of the dishwasher, and give oak and walnut the same monthly oil as the boards. Brass and copper will patina, polish if you prefer them bright, or let them keep the record of the years.

Off the board, on display.

The knives you see are the knives you use.

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