Magnetic knife block or slotted knife block?
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In short
- Choose a magnetic block if you care about the edges of your knives, if your blades come in different sizes and brands, and if you want storage you can clean with a single wipe.
- Keep a slotted block if young children can reach your worktop, if you use ceramic knives, or if your knife set was designed with its block. In that case, store the blades spine down.
Two ways of holding a blade
In a slotted block, the knife slides into a slot in the wood. Every time it goes in and comes out, the blade rubs against the wall; if it is stored edge down, it is the edge that rubs.
In a magnetic block, magnets set beneath the wooden surface hold the blade by its flat side. The knife rests against the face of the block: the edge touches nothing.
Edge wear: a measurable difference
The American test kitchen America's Test Kitchen compared the two ways of storing a knife in a slotted block. Stored edge down, a knife could no longer cleanly cut a sheet of paper after 70 strokes. Stored on its spine, it showed no visible wear after 200.
Two lessons: if you keep a slotted block, always slide your knives in spine down; a magnetic block simply removes the friction.
Hygiene: slots are hard to clean
In 2013, the American organisation NSF International found yeast and mould in the knife blocks of the homes in its study. The cause: dark, narrow slots where moisture lingers and crumbs build up. For a block in frequent use, NSF advises emptying, washing and sanitising it once a month, and storing only completely dry knives.
A magnetic block has no hidden corners: its faces are open and wipe clean with a damp sponge. The dry-knife rule applies to it too, as wood does not like standing water.
Which knives fit
A magnetic block takes any steel knife, whatever its brand or shape: chef's knife, santoku, fillet knife, paring knife. The only limit is blade length, up to 23 cm on our block. Ceramic knives, which contain no metal, do not stick to a magnet.
A slotted block is often designed for a specific set: a new knife, wider or longer, does not always find its place. So-called universal blocks, filled with flexible rods, take blades of any size.
Safety: the one real concession
On a magnetic block, the blades remain visible. With young children, place it out of their reach, at the back of the worktop. A slotted block hides the blades: a real argument in a kitchen with little hands around.
The right technique with a magnetic block
- To put a knife on, first present the spine of the blade to the block, then let the flat side settle against the magnet. The edge never hits the surface.
- To take it off, tilt the knife so the spine comes away first, then remove it. Do not slide it along the wood.
- Store clean, dry blades.
The comparison
| Magnetic block | Slotted block | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact with the edge | None, the blade is held by its flat side | Friction on every pass if the blade is stored edge down |
| Knives accepted | Any steel knife, up to the intended length | Those that fit the slots |
| Cleaning | Open faces, a single wipe | Slots that are hard to clean |
| Visible blades | Yes | No |
| Ceramic knives | Do not stick | Yes |
Our block
We chose magnets for our solid oak knife block: four built-in magnets hold the blade by its flat side, never touching the edge. It takes four knives, with blades up to 23 cm. Its compact 21.6 × 10.4 cm base, its 1.35 kg of solid oak and its non-slip pads keep it in place when you grab a knife with one hand. It comes without knives: it holds the ones you already own.
You will also find it in the La Crémaillère and La Grande Tablée gift sets.
Frequently asked questions
Does a slotted block really damage knives?
Only if the blade rubs along its edge. Stored on the spine, wear becomes negligible, according to America's Test Kitchen's tests.
How do I clean a wooden knife block?
Remove the knives, wipe with a damp, lightly soapy sponge, then dry straight away. Never the dishwasher or soaking, and keep it away from hobs and direct sunlight. Once or twice a year, a wood-care oil brings back its depth.
What about a wall-mounted magnetic strip?
It works on the same principle as a magnetic block and frees up the worktop, but it is fixed to the wall, usually by drilling. A block can stand wherever you like and be moved when needed.
Which knives should go on a four-knife block?
The four you use most: a chef's knife, a santoku, a fillet knife and a paring knife. On our block, the blade must not exceed 23 cm, which rules out most large bread knives.
Sources: America's Test Kitchen, "Knife storage"; NSF International, 2013 study of the germiest kitchen items.
Le Beau Marius, beau · bon · durable. Kitchenware made in Europe. 10-year guarantee. lebeaumarius.com