I Finally Found a Knife Block That Works for My Random Assortment of Blades

Almost every recipe requires a bit of prep work, which means keeping my knives handy is essential. That’s where knife blocks come in. Blocks make knives easy to reach on the countertop, so you can easily grab the ones you need as you cook. But there’s one problem: I prefer to buy my knives individually rather than in sets, and I’ve never found a slotted knife block that worked for my random assortment of blades from different brands.

Since slotted blocks are built for knives of specific sizes and shapes, I’ve historically stored my cutlery in drawers. For years, I was left to rifle through my knives to find the one I needed — leaving my fingers vulnerable to accidental pokes and cuts. But recently, I got a chance to test Our Place’s new magnetized walnut knife block, and it’s the perfect place to store my jumbled collection.

Walnut Knife Block

As soon as I took it out of the box, it was love at first sight. Unlike most knife blocks, which come already stocked with knives that fit perfectly in their divots, Our Place’s knife block is powered by a strong magnet that can store blades of all kinds. Its shape also drew me in — the block is ultra-thin, measuring 10 by 11.5 by 4.75 inches, so it doesn’t dominate my small countertop. It’s made from walnut, a durable dark wood that looks chic in my kitchen, and comes with a non-slip base, so I can grab a knife with one hand without sending the block toppling over.

If you’re loyal to your current block, this one may make you reconsider. Knife block slots can collect mold, grime, bacteria, and dust — even if you clean your knives thoroughly before putting them away. Sanitizing traditional knife blocks can be a pain, requiring pipe cleaners to reach into the grooves, but the smooth surface of Our Place’s block is easy to wipe down with a damp cloth. (If the wood ever dries out, the brand says you can use a food-safe oil to moisturize it.) It’s like a knife block and a knife magnet all in one.

And, while blades gradually dull each time you store or remove a knife from a slot, this magnetized block keeps them sharper for longer. That means I can spend less time and effort sharpening and more time slicing, dicing, and mincing. The block is perfect for storing Our Place’s stainless steel knife set — which comes with a paring knife, a serrated knife, and a chef’s knife in your choice of eight different colors — but I use mine to keep my mishmashed knives close at hand while I cook. I’ve found it can comfortably hold up to five knives at a time.

No matter if your knives are matchy-matchy or you’ve collected a hodgepodge over the years, this block from Our Place offers a simple, sleek alternative to storing knives in a drawer while conserving valuable countertop space. Snag this $95 walnut knife block today for a simple, easy-access storage solution that keeps blades sharp.

More Kitchen Tools to Shop from Our Place:

Knife Trio

Daily Board

Utensil Essentials

Kitchen Linens Set

Better Bowl Set

At the time of publishing, the price was $95.