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Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Punteha van Terheyden

I’m Freeing Space In My Packed Cutlery Drawer With a $68 Compact Joseph Joseph Counter Knife Holder Set, Complete with 5 Japanese Knives

Small kitchen with sage green cabinets on left and right, with window at middle back, and table in middle fo space with two mismatched chairs.

My compact kitchen doesn’t have enough drawers, meaning storage space inside comes at a real premium.

I’ve already moved my larger cooking utensils into the cabinet with my pots and pans, but now I am freeing up even more space by switching my bamboo in-drawer knife caddy to this slim, vertical, and chic Joseph Joseph Knife Holder Set, available on Amazon at a discounted price of $68.

What’s particularly spectacular about this storage gem is that it comes complete with a set of six stainless steel Japanese Knives, which are worth the money alone.

It’s such a great deal that I am snapping it up and retiring my tired knife set. Having some of the best knives on hand is just what my household needs before all the festive prep we will need to do ahead of hosting Christmas this year.

Why This Joseph Joseph Knife Caddy and Set is Great for Tiny Kitchens

What I love about the Joseph Joseph products I have used or tested in my home is that they are built with materials that not only feel and look luxe, but also last a long time without looking tired or falling apart. You get what you pay for, and in this case, the knife storage block is just one of the pros, as it's vertical and slim, making it great for big and small kitchens alike.

With counter space at a premium during hosting season, this caddy combines ease of access without a big loss of counter space, but the set of five Japanese stainless steel knives makes this a true winner.

Homes & Gardens Kitchens Appliances Editor and professionally trained chef, Lydia Hayman, agreed that the Japanese Knives are the star of this currently discounted buy. She says, ‘Japanese knives are the gold standard in cookery; they are sharper, lighter, and made from harder steel than most Western-style knives.

'I was really impressed to see that this set contains a Santoku knife. This is what I use at home and on jobs as a private chef. The design has a largely flat edge, with a slightly tapered tip, which is ideal for slicing, dicing, and mincing. You can't get better for efficient, precise prep work.'

The color-coordinated handles of the knives also take the guesswork out of finding the knife you need when you’re hurriedly making dinner or when hosting. This is a feature I particularly like, as my current stainless steel knife set is not color coordinated on the handles, and I’m forever pulling out the wrong one.

It’s worth noting that these knives are not dishwasher safe, and I’ve learned this the hard way with my current stainless steel set, which now has spots of rust because of the dishwasher. Now I always wash and dry my knives immediately after use, which is also safer for anyone in your household who might stick their hand in a busy sink to start washing, and might meet the sharp end of these.

The Joseph Joseph BladeBrush, available at Amazon, is great for easily cleaning serrated or sharp knives safely by hand.

As for the slim, sleek design, it’s a great one for compact kitchens. Content editor and resident decluttering expert, Chiana Dickson, says, ‘While I am partial to a cutlery organizer to keep my limited countertop space clutter-free, I can 100% see the appeal of a knife holder.

'Shoving a lot of knives into one small cubby can not only make it more difficult to find what you need without the risk of cutting your finger while digging through in a rush, but sharp knife tips can damage the organizer itself, resulting in either plastic dust or wood splinters in your kitchen drawers.

'We had this very problem with our steak knives in our plastic organizer, and it was awful for my partner with contamination OCD. A countertop organizer, on the other hand, with safe, dedicated slots, negates this completely.

'Just be sure to also pick up some narrow straw cleaning brushes (also from Amazon) to clean out the storage caddy's grooves and prevent dirt and debris from accumulating inside the slots over time.'

What to Shop

Meet the Experts

Next, learn the best ways to keep your knives sharp, the surprisingly kitchen Feng Shui tips to be mindful of when arranging your items, and where to put utensils in a kitchen without drawers.

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