Buying guide for Best magnetic knife strips
When choosing how to store and organize your knives, you have three different solutions to choose from. You can use a knife drawer, but then you’ll be rummaging around in a drawer while trying not to cut yourself as you search for a specific knife. You can use a wooden block, but it takes up counter space and can foster bacteria growth if not cleaned regularly. Your third option is a magnetic knife strip.
A magnetic knife strip is one of the safest and least expensive options for storing your knife collection. It uses no counter space, and it’s an effective way to keep your knives both handy and in top condition. From size and magnet strength to build and appearance, there are plenty of factors to consider when selecting the perfect magnetic knife strip for your kitchen.
This buying guide takes you through all your options and the features you’ll find when buying a magnetic knife strip.
Key considerations
Your two primary considerations when purchasing a magnetic knife strip are size and magnet strength.
Size
Size is pretty straightforward: the longer the magnetic knife strip, the more knives you can store on it. Strips are available in a wide range of sizes, starting at around 8 inches and increasing by 2-inch increments to around 36 inches. A longer magnetic knife strip is better if you have a sizable collection of knives that you want to display and keep handy. If you have limited kitchen space or just a few knives to store, a smaller strip may be better.
Strength
The magnetic knife strip’s strength is also an important factor. The stronger the magnet, the larger the knives you can store on it. If you plan to use your strip for a few lightweight knives, this will be less important to you. On the other hand, it is quite important if you have cleavers and other heavy knives that you need to keep secure.
All manufacturers claim that their magnetic knife strips are strong, but it’s worth checking. Look at the review comments to find out what other buyers think about a particular product. This can also help you to weed out those that are so strong that you’d have a hard time removing a knife from it without scratching the blade.
Installation
The ease of installation depends on the magnetic knife strip you purchase. Whichever type you buy, be sure that it ships with all the necessary hardware and the directions to install it.
Magnetic: The simplest to mount are those that come with a magnetic backing. In this case, you simply attach it to your refrigerator or other steel or iron surface and you’re good to go. This is the best type of strip to buy if you’re planning on installing it on a metal surface.
Screws: Some magnetic knife strips mount to a wall, cabinet, or another surface. The simplest of these have two screws and predrilled holes on the strip. Some require you to first attach the screws or other fasteners to the wall, making sure they’re level and the right distance apart. You then mount the strip onto the screws.
Adhesive: Some magnetic knife strips come with an adhesive backing that can be attached to a refrigerator, wall, or another surface.
Maintenance
While a magnetic knife strip attracts knives much more readily than grime, dust, and dirt, you still want to clean it occasionally. If a simple wipe with a dry towel doesn’t do the job, try a cloth with a bit of warm, soapy water. Be sure to dry the magnetic knife strip thoroughly before loading it back up with knives. Note that a strip made of stainless steel is easier to clean than one made of wood.
One advantage a magnetic knife strip has over a knife drawer is sharper knives. Knives left to bang together in a drawer tend to lose their edge quickly compared to knives stored on a strip.
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Features
Material
The primary material of a magnetic knife strip and its overall appearance are intrinsically linked. Most strips are made of either metal or wood.
Metal: Magnetic knife strips made of stainless steel or aluminum are fairly common. These are easy to clean and generally less expensive than wooden strips. However, note that a metal strip can scratch your knives if you’re not careful.
Wood: Magnetic knife strips made of wood are usually more expensive than those made of metal, but they’re kinder to knife blades. You can find magnetic knife strips made of cherry, walnut, and acacia.
Appearance
For some cooks, a magnetic knife strip is more utilitarian than decorative. Others might want the strip to match their kitchen décor, and so may be more concerned with the material. Stainless steel or aluminum works well in modern or industrial kitchens, while wood fits better in kitchens with a more traditional or country feel.
Magnets
Long magnets are what hold knives to a knife strip. Some knife strips are essentially one solid magnet, while others use a pair of parallel magnetized strips. While some magnetized strips are flush with the face of the unit, others, called dual-barrel strips, stand out from it like a towel rack. Magnetic strips that are wider apart provide more support, particularly for larger knives.
Hooks
While not standard, some magnetic knife strips also include hooks, so you can more easily hang up a variety of additional kitchen utensils such as spatulas and whisks.
DID YOU KNOW?
If you’re purchasing a magnetic knife strip for use in an RV, choose one that’s strong enough to keep the knives firmly attached when the vehicle is in motion.
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Magnetic knife strip prices
While you can find magnetic knife strips that cost less than $10, the average is $18 to $20.
Inexpensive: At the lowest price points, from less than $10 to $20, you can find simple strips, usually short and often made of aluminum. Also, the magnets tend to be weaker, making these best for those cooks who have just a few knives.
Mid-range: These models have stronger magnets and longer strips capable of holding more or heavier knives. Stainless steel strips are common in the $20 to $50 range, as are some less expensive wood strips.
Expensive: Spend $60 to $70 or more and you can find higher-quality wood knife strips and stainless steel strips sporting more fashionable designs. Extras such as hooks are also more common in this price range.
A wooden magnetic knife strip tends to scratch knives less than a strip with a steel surface.
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Tips
- Leave space around the strip. When mounting or installing a magnetic knife strip, try to leave a couple of inches of space on each end, between the strip and walls or other objects, to allow for easier access.
- Dry your knives. Even if your knives and knife strip are rust-resistant, all knives should be dried thoroughly before putting them away to limit contamination and corrosion.
- Mount the knife strip in a safe location. If you’re at all concerned about the strength of your magnetic knife strip, mount it where a falling knife can do no damage (such as to your toes). If you have young children, take care to mount the strip high enough to be well out of the reach of small hands.
- Display your knives. If you own a nice knife collection, a magnetic knife strip is one of the best ways to prominently display it.
FAQ
Q. Can a magnetic knife strip be used with all types of knives?
A. While steel should work fine with a magnetic knife strip, other types of metal knives may not. Ceramic knives, another popular type, also won’t work with a magnetic strip. Before buying a magnetic knife strip, test whether your existing knives will work with it by simply placing a refrigerator magnet on the knife. If it sticks, the knife will stick to a strip.
Q. Will a magnetic knife strip damage my knives?
A. While the magnetism itself won’t harm a knife, knives can become scratched or chipped if you aren’t careful. When removing a knife from the strip, always twist it so that the sharp edge of the knife is not in direct contact with the strip. Also, leave room between the knives on the strip so that they don’t come into contact with each other.
Q. How many knives does a magnetic knife strip hold?
A. This largely depends on the size of the strip and the size of your knives. You can estimate the number of knives a strip will hold by measuring the width of your knives. Be sure to also factor in some space between each knife so you don’t overcrowd them.
