You can make your kitchen knives last for years once you know how to take care of them. One thing I always do after using my knives is wash and dry them thoroughly with a soft, dry cloth so I can put them away immediately. Though this won’t keep knives sharp, it will help keep them from rusting. There are a lot of other ways to keep your knives in good condition. Here are some tips to keep in mind to take care of your kitchen knives:

1.  Always keep your knives covered to protect their edges, as well as protect the hands that reach for them. One way to do this is to get knife block sets

Chicago Cutlery Landmark Forged 14 Piece Knife Block Set

I haven’t been on this cooking gig all that long, but I’ve already found some tools, methods, and tricks that work well for me. I told you when I started this adventure I’d share these with you, so today let’s look at one of my favorite kitchen gadgets.

Though I don’t have an expensive collection of knives, I’ve come to learn that keeping my knives clean, dry, and sharp is one of the most important things I can do to keep the workflow in my kitchen, well, flowing. For too long our solution to knife storage was in the big catch-all utensil drawer, with the knives all banging together in a long tray. Invariably, my knives would come out dull, and it was always too hard to find the one I wanted buried under the rest.

We were in Bed Bath & Beyond a few months ago, drooling over the plethora of cook gadgets they have, when we ran across this ingenious little knife block called the Kapoosh. I knew one day it would be mine. I can’t remember what exactly drew me back into the store, but sometime later I found myself there, searching for something completely unrelated when I saw the Kapoosh on sale. Armed with my handy-dandy 20% coupon, I proceeded to the check-out counter with the nifty knife block in-hand.

Rather than being the standard slotted-style knife block, the Kapoosh is a wood (or sometimes plastic) container filled with hundreds of little plastic rods. The rods allow you to insert just about any size of knife, and it can usually accommodate many more knifes than a traditional knife block of the same size.

As you can see in the picture above, I even store my instant-read thermometer in my Kapoosh. The instructions warn you to be careful not to overfill the block, but as you can see there is more than enough room for my 16 favorite knives plus the thermometer. I keep my chef’s knife, a santoku, a tomato knife, paring knives, and several others of all sizes in my Kapoosh without any problems. The only knife I would like to add is our bread knife, but it’s simply too long to fit.

I read some negative reviews about the block, citing black plastic particles on the knife blades when withdrawn from the Kapoosh. For myself, I only experienced this at the very beginning, and it’s simple to wipe the blades clean with a dry towel before use if necessary. The entire plastic insert is removable and can be cleaned, however it does take some time to thoroughly dry. Keeping the insert dry is very important, as water is one of the many enemies of your knives. Just like a traditional knife block, you’d never put your knives away wet would you?

If you’re looking for a great knife block, I highly recommend you give the Kapoosh a serious look.

First available in March of 2009, this set marks the entry of Fiesta Dinnerware into the world of cutlery. Manufactured by the Homer Laughlin China Company, in partnership with Cambridge Silversmiths, the assortment of knives comes in a wide variety of handle color choices and matching hardwood knife blocks.

The eight knives in the set are forged from high carbon stainless steel and built with solid steel bolsters and heels. The colorful Softgrip handles completely enclose the tangs in a comfortable shape designed to increase grip safety and lessen hand fatigue. Each set includes an eight-inch chef’s knife, carving knife, bread knife, and a seven-inch santoku. Smaller knives range from a 6-inch utility knife to a 5-1/2-inch boning knife and both 3 and 4-inch paring knives. Matching honing steel and kitchen shears complete the list of tools. The knives are dishwasher safe, but the best way to keep finish and edges in good condition is to wash by hand.

The distinctive disc of the Fiesta-style wood knife block resembles the shape and pattern of the Fiesta pitcher. On the front of the block, an engraved stainless steel plate shows the Fiesta Dancing Lady logo. Each color theme uses a wood stain to match the block to the knife handles without disguising the beauty of the natural wood grain. Colors include scarlet, tangerine, sunflower, cobalt, peacock, and chocolate. A final choice offers knives with ebony black handles and a naturally finished hardwood knife block.

See the Furi Cutlery Rachel Ray Block Set for another comprehensive assortment of colorful kitchen knives.

Find this Cambridge Fiesta Knife Block Set:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

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Ginsu 4827 14-Piece Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, with Black Block

Product Description
Furi Rachael Ray GustoGrip 6-Piece Bamboo Knife Block includes a 3-1/2-inch Paring Knife, 5-Inch East/West Knife, 6-Inch Serrated Utility Knife, 8-Inch Cooks Knife, 8-Inch Bread Knife and a Bamboo Clean-Store Knife Block. New! Füri Guard¿ antimicrobial inhibitors are incorporated directly and permanently into the Gusto-Grip handles during the manufacturing process, giving the handle an added safeguard against microorganisms that can degrade the handle materials over time. Each knife has a solid forged bolster and is tang constructed from one piece of superior CrMov stainless steel alloy. The handle is pressed into the thick tang and then a stainless steel counterweight is pressed into the tail for perfect balance.

Paula Deen Knife Set, 14-Piece

• Includes: 8″ Slicer, 6″ Utility, 8″ Chef, 8″ Bread, 3.5″ Parer, Six 5″ Steak Knives, 8″ Sharpening Steel, Kitchen Shears, Acacia Wood Block
• Hardened and tempered high carbon steel with a tapered ground edge is designed for perfect cutting performance. Exceptional control and balance is offered by the full tang
• Smooth, contoured handles are perfectly crafted and shaped to ensure safety and comfort when handling the knives. Handles are nonporous to prevent the growth of odor causing bacteria
• Block is made from sustainable, eco-friendly acacia hardwood. This complete set contains the knives you’ll need for all your kitchen needs
• Lifetime Limited Warranty

Knife Block Set

A good set of knives is just as important as quality cookware. Chefs go crazy over knives, and I can understand why – they become an extension of your hand in the kitchen. My new collection is razor-sharp to get the job done will and fast, and feel comfortable so you won’t get fatigued. I love the storage block from acacia wood, an eco-friendly hardwood that has such a rich, warm grain.

Knife Block Set Rating: