Everything You Need To Know About A Knife Block

5-Piece Block Set Shadow Black Series | Knives NSF Certified

Top Knife Blocks You Should Check Out:

1. Why Your Kitchen Needs a Knife Block Set

6 Piece Knife Set Dragon Spire | Phantom Series

A Knife block set is used for kitchen knife storage and is the most recognizable item on your countertop. They are usually made with wood and high-quality stainless steel. Knife blocks or sheaths protect knives from damage.

Knife blocks have various slots that are intended for different kitchen knives, depending on the block you can find slots for utility knives, cheese knives, Nakiri knives, Santoku knives, bread knives, and filet knives. There is sometimes even a dedicated slot for kitchen shears and a top-of-the-line, chef knife.

Whether or not you’re a professional chef, a knife block set can make life easy when you’re whipping up your favorite foods. Knife storage in general has a few benefits. Such as organizing your knives in one dedicated space, and saving space on your countertop. Another reason you should invest in a knife block is that it prevents you from injuries that are caused by knives that are kept out in the open.

Since a knife block is a one-stop sheath for all of your favorite knives, it also protects the blades and encourages their durability. It prevents your knives from collecting germs as they’re stored in premium-quality knife blocks.

2. Advantages of Buying a Dalstrong Knife Block

Phantom Series 'Dragon Spire' 6 Piece Knife Set

Now, if you know Dalstrong well, you’re aware that we are a knife brand that is a combination of aesthetics, hygiene, and variety. Our knives are workhorses that are show-stopping in their own right and come with a Dalstrong sheath to promote hygiene in your kitchen. And, since our motto is ‘There Are No Limits’, variety is never a problem for us at Dalstrong.

We’ve narrowed down 3 advantages of owning a Dalstrong knife block. Let’s talk about it in detail.

Hygiene

Knife blocks encourage hygiene levels in your kitchen. Storing your knives in knife blocks keeps you safe from bacteria like Salmonella that transfer from cutting boards and kitchen countertops.

If you keep your knives in a kitchen drawer or the dishwasher after washing them, you’d be more at risk for mold and bacteria growing. This is because these places are usually packed with moisture. The damp environment would also damage your blades significantly, for which you would need a knife sharpener handy.

The bottom line is, if you pat dry your knives with a paper towel after washing them, storing your knives in a knife block is excellent practice to maintain hygiene levels. Dalstrong knife blocks also help keep your knives safe from dust and hot splashes of food. That’s one less cookware piece to clean.

Aesthetic

Where do I begin to talk about the aesthetic value of Dalstrong’s knives? Some of our best-selling knife sets are from the Shadow Black Series and the Frost Fire Series. These are 2 of 14 Dalstrong’s show-stopping series.

Every single one of these series carry an aesthetic purpose that is designed to represent your persona in the kitchen. I’m partial to the Shadow Black Series: Red Edition.

A common trait amongst all of Dalstrong’s knives is the ruthlessly sharp blades with a fierce build and appearance. Dalstrong’s knives come with a PerfectFit sheath so you can keep them beside your grill stations in the summer and dutch ovens in the winter for a family gathering.

Counter Space

If you’ve got a compact kitchen counter space, this is your sign to invest in one knife block. Not only does it promote hygiene levels in the kitchen, but it helps keep your knives in one place, giving you room to place your cutting board and other cookware essentials like grill pants, tea kettles, and stock pots on the kitchen counter.

Thanks to Dalstrong’s ingenious knife block sets, you don’t have to place your knives with your cooking utensils or cutlery sets. Not only do knife blocks give you a boatload of counter space, but also safe storage for the knives you’ve invested in.

3. Types of Knives in a Knife Block Set and Their Use

5-Piece Knife Set with Modular Block | Gladiator Series

Typically, an 8-piece knife block set or a 15-piece knife block set is designed for both home cooks and chefs. But, at Dalstrong, 18-piece knife block sets are best-sellers for all the right reasons.

Here’s what you can expect in different knife sets to determine the one best for your kitchen. Fret not, we’ve elaborated on what each knife brings to the table. Quite literally.

5-Piece Knife Blocks

Chef Knife
Santoku Knife
Serrated Utility Knife
Utility Knife
Paring Knife

6-Piece Knife Blocks

Bread Knife
Kiritsuke Chef Knife
Chef Knife
Santoku
Utility Knife
Paring Knife

8-Piece Knife Blocks

Slicing/Carving Knife
Bread Knife
Chef’s Knife
Santoku Knife
Utility Knife
Serrated Knife
Paring Knife
Honing Rod

12-Piece Knife Sets

Chef Knife x 2
Santoku Knife
Nakiri Knife
Boning Knife
Filet Knife
Straight Edge Steak Knives x 6

18-Piece Knife Sets

Carving/Slicer
Bread Knife
Kiritsuke Chef Knife
Chef Knife
Santoku Knife
Nakiri Knife
Boning Knife
Utility Knife
Serrated Utility Knife
Straight Edge Steak Knives
Paring Knife
Bird's Beak Paring Knife
Gladiator Series Honing Steel

Knives And Their Uses

Chef Knife

Looking for a versatile stainless steel knife? In that case, Dalstrong’s chef knives should be in your knife holder. When it comes down to slicing, dicing, and chopping, this knife is your best mate. The blade on a chef’s knife reduces arm fatigue and helps pick up chopped vegetables and meat to add to your grill pan or stock pot.

The blade on a chef knife usually ranges between 6” inches and 14” inches, depending on your preference.

Serrated Knife/Bread Knife

The best thing since sliced bread is a bread knife to help you devour it. These knives have tiny serrations along the razor-sharp blade for a crisp, clean, and precise cut on fruits and vegetables. At Dalstrong, our serrated knives are made with ultra-premium steel for stain resistance and durability.

The sharp edges and ergonomic handle on a serrated knife help slice through large fruits, vegetables, and thick loaves of bread. It can also be used to slice and trim cake!

Utility Knife

If you too, like myself, have grown up in a ‘one-knife-fits-all’ kind of a home, you probably recognize this one! True and tried to its name and uses, this knife usually has a short or medium blade and is used for cutting and slicing as you go. This is one of those knives that without a doubt, belongs on your knife block.

Paring Knife

A paring knife is perfect for coring tomatoes or dicing green onions and shallots. It is perfect to cut and slice through vegetables or fruits that have a smaller surface. If you’ve got a compact kitchen, a paring knife would suit your needs to take on just about any task related to chopping or cutting.

Paring knives are available in their traditional form, as well as with a spear point tip to remove any pits and dents such as a potato eye. If you love paring knives and want them to work with larger vegetables and fruits, I suggest one that has serrations along the blade. Paring and utility knives make the perfect prep knives.

Slicing Knife/Carving Knife

A slicing knife or a carving knife is the embodiment of the phrase, “enjoying the best of both worlds”. Typically, this knife has a longer blade to slice and carve large pieces of meat such as a brisket or a whole turkey. In fact, it is one of the longest knives you would find in the kitchen.

This knife is perfect for plating uniform and thin slices of meat, as well as cutting large fruits such as melons and papayas swiftly. And just like a bread knife, it can be used to carve and cut cupcakes and cakes.

Boning Knife

A boning knife is quite slim in its appearance and has a sharp edge. The tapered blade gives it the pointed tip which helps keep the flesh intact without puncturing it. Boning knives are perfect for deboning large roasts, slicing meats, and cutting past tough bones and cartilage.

Fillet Knife

A fillet knife has made its way to my kitchen and I am so not disappointed. A fillet knife helps plate restaurant-worthy cuts and slices of fish filet. The only way to do justice to a batch of fresh catch – The Atlantic salmon, is by investing in a good fillet knife.

Fillet knives do most of the heavy-duty work, which makes them quick and easy to use. Typically, the blade on a filet knife is made with stainless steel which ensures longevity.

Steak Knife

Steak knives have a serrated blade with an incredibly pointed tip. These knives are intended to help slice steak, instead of cooking it. The handle on these knives offers a comfortable grip which significantly decreases arm fatigue when trimming off the fat and slicing the meat.

Bird’s Beak Paring Knife

If you’re one for experimenting in the kitchen and making your food look gram-worthy, the bird’s beak knife on a knife block is going to be your go-to kitchen tool! Bird’s beak knives, otherwise known as peeling knives, resemble a bird’s beak. The blade is short and curved for creating decorative fruits and vegetables.

Japanese Knives

Japanese knives are much easier to maintain than western knives. Yep, it’s true! So, don’t get overwhelmed when you look at Santoku knives or Nakiri knives. Here’s a little more about Japanese knives and their uses.

Santoku Knife

A Santoku knife is the Japanese equivalent of a chef’s knife. It is used for cutting meat, dicing fruits or vegetables, and slicing cheese. It is perfect for scooping food on its blade to transfer ingredients to a saute pan or your favorite nonstick cookware. The Santoku knife is perfect for slicing fine slices of seafood like fish, and other vegetables, too.

Nakiri Knife

The Nakiri knife is used for mincing, chopping, and dicing vegetables. This is the knife you want to use when you want the vegetables on your plate to look clean and even. The sharp edge of this knife makes slicing meat, fruits, and vegetables quite easy, and does not require much friction or effort.

Kiritsuke Knife

This knife is meant for that perfect push and pull motion that gives you thin slices of fruits, vegetables, and meat. If you love using your dutch oven as a make-shift hotpot, this knife will help you achieve those thin slices of meat and veggies for instant cooking.

Honing Rods

Honing rods are used to straighten the edge of your knife and regain ‘angle control’ for quick slicing and chopping. Honing rods can mostly be found in 15-piece knife block sets or 18-piece knife block sets.

These rods are specially used for serrated knives or bread knives, as these knives are tougher to sharpen with a traditional knife sharpener like a whetstone, but a honing rod can get the job done in minutes.

4. Find The Perfect Knife Block For Your Kitchen

Since we’ve covered everything you need to know about the knives that come in a knife block, we’ve included Dalstrong’s best-sellers from each category to help you determine the perfect kitchen knife storage that your kitchen deserves.

1.) Best 5-Piece Knife Set

5-Piece Block Set Shadow Black Series | Knives NSF Certified

Blade

This 5-piece knife block set from the Shadow Black Series has a blade that is precision forged and wear-resistant, thanks to its high carbon 7CR17MOV-X vacuum treated steel that is hardened at 58 Rockwell. The sharp edge of the knives in this set is hand sharpened to 16º-18º degrees on each side, which gives it the perfect sharpness and resilience needed to take on any culinary task.

Handle

The handle on the knives in this knife block set is made with fiber-resin, and owing to its military-grade G10 handle, these knives are impervious to heat, cold, and moisture. The ergonomic shape of the handle will assuredly give you the flexibility and grip that you seek. The best part? It cleans easily and is low in maintenance.

What’s Included?

8" Chef Knife
7" Santoku Knife
6.5" Serrated Utility Knife
5.5" Utility Knife
3.75" Paring Knife
Storage Block
Neatly Packed with Dalstrong’s Renowned Packaging
Dalstrong Support

Pros:

This 5-piece knife block set has a titanium-nitride coating, which adds to its durability.
It is low in maintenance, which is a rare find for a diverse set like this one.

Cons:

The price tag on this knife set may be outside of budget for some folks.
It can be slightly tough to sharpen these knives because of the titanium-nitride coating, but nothing Dalstrong’s whetstones can’t handle.

2.) Best 6-Piece Knife Set

6 Piece Knife Set Dragon Spire | Phantom Series

Blade

The blade on the knives in this 6-piece knife set is hand-finished for a mirror polish at a staggering 13º-15º degrees. Hardened at 58+ Rockwell with excellent edge retention, this magnetic knife block is clearly ahead of its time. The ice-tempered blades give you robustness, resilience, and flexibility. The full tang blade on these knives provides decreased arm and wrist fatigue that also cleans easily.

Handle

Made with premium quality, laminated Pakkawood from Spain, the handles on these magnetic knives call for added strength and beauty. It has a sanitary build which makes this set perfect for busy kitchens, without compromising on hygiene levels. The best part? It has a non-slip grip and a stainless steel hand-polished end cap which gives it the perfect counterbalance.

What’s Included?

Dragon Spire Double Magnetic Sided Block
9" Bread Knife
9.5" Kiritsuke Chef Knife
8" Chef Knife
7" Santoku
5" Utility Knife
4" Paring Knife
Limited lifetime Warranty. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Try risk free.

Pros:

The bread knife in this set can work as a cake trimmer, making it extremely versatile.
Magnetic knife blocks like this one have a futuristic look, which is quite rare to see in most kitchens.

Cons:

You could be looking for a minimalistic approach for your knife set, so I suggest having a look at other knife blocks here.
You could be looking for a larger knife block, so I suggest having a look at the 8-piece knife block sets.

3.) 8 - Piece Knife Block Set

8-Piece Knife Block Set Gladiator Series | Knives NSF Certified

Blade

The blades on the knives from the 8-piece knife block set are hardened at 56+ Rockwell and are made with high carbon German ThyssenKrupp steel for longevity. For a sharp edge, the blades in this set are hand sharpened to 16º-18º degrees, which helps in maintaining the right balance between sharpness and robustness. Icing on the cake? The blades are stain-resistant.

Handle

The handle is a military grade G10 which is a guarantee for life-long durability. The handle on these knives is highly impervious to moisture, heat, and cold. Equipped with a finger protective bolster and an ergonomic handle shape, this knife set is not one that you want to miss out on. The best part? This set is low in maintenance

What’s Included?

9” Slicing/Carving Knife
9” Bread Knife
8” Chef’s Knife
7” Santoku
6” Utility Knife
5.5” Serrated Knife
3.75” Paring Knife
Honing Rod
Gladiator Series 8-piece Dalstrong Acacia Wood Block Set
Exquisite Gift Packaging
Dalstrong Support

Pros:

Made with high carbon steel to add durability to your knife.
The stain-resistant nature of the blades makes it very easy to maintain this knife block set.

Cons:

You may prefer whetstones instead of a honing rod that is included in this knife block, so I suggest having a look at Dalstrong’s whetstones.
You may prefer a smaller knife block if you’re a novice in the kitchen, so I suggest a 6-piece knife block.

4.) 12-Piece Knife Block Sets

12-Piece Block Set Black Handles | Gladiator Series | NSF Certified

Blade

The blade in this 12-piece knife block set is hardened at 56+ Rockwell and is made with high carbon German ThyssenKrupp to work as your life-long kitchen tool. The blades have an elegant and hand-polished satin finish and are tapered for flexibility and resilience. The full tang offers you the perfect angle to slice, cut, peel, and chop – Regardless of the knife you choose to work with.

Handle

The handle on these knives is designed to facilitate a comfortable pinch grip while having life-long durability. The ergonomic handle offers maximum flexibility and maneuverability, thanks to the stainless steel bolster that is designed for the perfect balance.

What’s Included?

Chef Knife (8")
Chef Knife (6")
Santoku Knife (7")
Nakiri Knife (7")
Boning Knife (6")
Filet Knife (6")
Straight Edge Steak Knives (5")
Exquisite Gift Packaging
Handmade Manchurian Ash Block

Pros:

This 12-piece knife block set is perfect for a seasoned home cook and a professional chef.
Includes Nakiri knives and Santoku knives which are premium-quality Japanese knives.

Cons:

You could be looking for a larger set of knife blocks, so I would recommend the 18-piece knife block set.
Could be overkill for a novice.

5.) 18-Piece Knife Block Sets

18 Piece Colossal Knife Set with Block Gladiator Series | Knives NSF Certified

Blade

If you’re looking for the ultimate knife block set that has everything you would need to take on any culinary challenge, I suggest this 18-piece Colossal knife set from the Gladiator series. The blade on these knives is stain-resistant and low in maintenance. The tall blade height offers maximum resilience and makes the paring and utility knives included in this set excellent prep knives.

Handle

The handle on these knives has incredible quality and robustness, thanks to the ABS handle that offers life-long durability. The sanitary build of this knife block set is perfect for home cooks, and professional chefs who work in busy kitchens. The ergonomic handle makes it a perfect set of knives for seasoned home cooks and beginners.

What’s Included?

Carving/Slicer 9"
Bread Knife 9"
Kiritsuke Chef Knife 8.5"
Chef Knife 8"
Santoku Knife 7"
Nakiri Knife 7"
Boning Knife 6"
Utility Knife 6.5"
Serrated Utility Knife 6"
Straight Edge Steak Knives 5" x 6
Paring Knife 3.5"
Bird's Beak Paring Knife 2.75"
Gladiator Series Honing Steel 10"
Exquisite Gift Packaging
Handmade Acacia Wood Block

Pros:

This 18-piece knife block set comes with an incredibly affordable price tag for all that it offers.
Block sets often lack variety, but not in this case. It comes equipped with every knife that you would require in the kitchen.

Cons:

You may prefer a whetstone over a honing rod.
You could be looking for a more futuristic and show-stopping build, so I suggest this 18-piece colossal knife set with red handles.

5. How To Clean Your Knife Block

18 Piece Colossal Knife Set with BlockGladiator Series | Knives NSF Certified | Dalstrong

Here’s a quick guide on how to clean your knife block in 6 simple steps.

Steps:

Clean out all the slots from your block sets and flip it over to shake out any crumbs or dirt.
Use a tiny bottle brush to clean out the wooden slots and the block.
Use a diluted mixture of 1 teaspoon of bleach and 4 cups of water.
Use a bottle brush to give the block a gentle scrub.
Wipe down with a damp cloth that is dipped in soapy water. Repeat the process again but without the soapy mixture.
Let the block sit out in the sun or near a window where there is adequate sunlight.

And, you’re all done!

6. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the knife block called?

A knife block is also known as a knife holder or a kitchen knife storage box.

Can you buy just a knife block?

You can buy a knife block and knives separately, but there are two risks that come with it. First, the knives may not fit the slots of the knife block. Second, it will cost you more two buy them separately.

Are blocks good for knives?

Knife blocks are great for knives, as they protect them from excessive heat, cold, and moisture. This helps boost the durability of your favorite kitchen tools!

What is a knife block used for?

A knife block is used as a dedicated space to store your knives safely without causing damage to the blade. They help prevent the spread of germs like Salmonella from cutting boards. Keeping knives in a knife block also helps prevent injuries from laying around on the kitchen countertop.

Shop Dalstrong Knife Block Sets Today

Written by Ananya Tiwari

Ananya loves the fine things in life. When she isn’t penning down poetry or song lyrics, she spends her time cooking and creating recipes while also enjoying new cuisines.

Find The Perfect Knife In 60 Seconds

Everything You Need To Know About A Knife Block

Top Knife Blocks You Should Check Out:

1. Why Your Kitchen Needs a Knife Block Set