My knife block slots are large so there is ample room and knives aren't squished in. I vote sharp-side up!!

Sharp side up sounds like a bloody accident waiting to happen.

I'm with Aleec. Also, listen to the makers, they probably know what they're talking about. After all, wood cutting boards are supposed to be best because they don't dull the knife blade, I fail to see why resting on wood would be worse than being pressed onto it while cutting. I could maybe, MAYBE see it folding the edge over but it's probably already folded because of cutting and that's why you're supposed to hone the blade every time you use it anyway.

You ought to be sharpening your knives regularly, so it really shouldn't matter. Just store them sharp side down so no one gets "surprised" and needs stitches.

People expect the sharp side to be down, and with dangerous things, it is bad to be unpredictable.

Tell your teenager that when he starts buying the knives, he can have input. :)

where can i get that knife block in the picture?

Oh, as for the laying in the sink vs. soaking in a glass conundrum, I was always taught that for safety knives should never, ever be left in the sink. It's too easy to reach in to grab something else and slice the heck out of your hand (especially in my parents' house, where you could pratically shave with the knives). They shouldn't need to soak, either, just wash them when you use them. It takes 10 seconds, tops. If they really need a soak, then yeah, I'd use a glass or something else where you can put them sharp side down.

I have seen that knife block at Think Geek: http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/86dd/.

I am not affiliated with Think Geek...

I store them sharp side down, both because that's the way my knife block works and sharp side up just sounds dangerous. Also, I was taught to never soak knives, either in a sink or a glass.

I store my knives sharp side up in the block. My reasoning was the same as his. I doubt it makes a big difference but the logic is sound, I'd say. On the other hand, your kitchen, your knives, your way. When he has his own... etc.

i don't hone the blade every time i use it. there's no need and can cause more wear on the edge than good maintenance. as far as listening to the manufacturers - no. they're interest is in my buying their knives. the better care i take with them the longer they last and less money they make. their interest isn't in my knives lasting too long.

look in a lot of professional kitchens. they don't use blocks. some do but they're likely to be vertical slots rather than angled wooden blocks.

magnetic strips and sideways storage the best options for care and safety in my experience. i'm sure others' will vary and work better for them. it's just a matter of finding what works best for you and your style :)

I now use a magnetic knife rack, so no longer have that issue, but when I did have a block, I used to store them sharp-side-up. I found a couple times pulling them out I'd get a few splinters. Also, I think the knife handles are distinguishable enough that you can tell based on the handle which way a knife is facing. And how would which way the knife is facing result in cutting yourself. I'm not seeing how that's relevant.

And yes, while blocks of maple are recommended for cutting boards because they say they don't dull knives, but most butcher blocks are probably made out of cheap wood.

I throw my knives in the sink. I've never had an issue, but if I have to soak items, I generally have to soak a bunch, so they all generally end up in the same bowl in the sink. They end up being easily distinguishable.

Accident waiting to happen. Shouldn't even be a consideration.

our knives are kept either in a drawer or upside-down in the block. both of us know they're kept upside-down, and we neither entertain guests who would be using our knives, nor have children to worry about. the cats certainly lack the ability to pull knives out, so we'll keep doing it the way we do for now.

until we invest in a magnet strip, of course.

Oh my gosh, I was thinkg "sharp side up" as in up and _out_, as in the blade sticking out of the block. Reading the comments I couldn't understand why more people weren't horrified that the son is clearly trying to maim someone. That'll teach me to read questions quickly while trying to also work!

i have that knife block, btw, and since you can't put your knives in upside down in the slots, it is both hilarious and very safe.

because of the balance of the knife blade & handle, doesn't the knife actually rest against the top of the opening more than the bottom?

I, too, block my knives sharp-side-up. I think I originally thought it better for the edges, but now it's just habit. Only the handles are exposed, so there's never been a safety issue.

I don't ever soak them or put them in the sink; they're the first items to be washed and put away in cleanup. Mostly, this is to keep from accidentally dinging the edges, and to keep "helpers" from sticking them in the dishwasher.

my knives are stored sideways :-) (I have the Eva Solo knife block.) I vote down for the reasons mentioned above.

Also, I would never soak a knife! They're so $$$. I wouldn't want to damage the handle. In a glass it would tip over. In the sink, it would scratch the sink, other things will likely be placed on top of the blade (not good for the knife), the handle will be wet for long periods of time, and it's not safe.

I always spend a few seconds and wash the knife properly immediately after use.

I'm very confused as to how storing them sharp-side-up is "dangerous" and "an accident waiting to happen"? They're still fully encased in the knife block, and you're just grabbing the handle to pull them out...how exactly are you people pulling out your knives??? :)

My husband and I store them differently, one of us preferring face-up, the other face-down. There hasn't been an accident ever, in the many, many years we've been doing this....

Worry about something that matters, like toilet paper side up or down. Who are those still holding on to that "roll from the underside" old guard, anyway?

I store all my knives in a long drawer with the points towards the back. The tips go down when air drying them so the water does not pool up on where the handle and the blade meet. I don't want bacteria to build up at the joint or water to seep into the joint.

"Who are those still holding on to that "roll from the underside" old guard, anyway?"

People with evil evil cats. /grumbles

Top-quality knife blocks have the slots sideways, so the knife blade rests on the side. This protects the edge.

ilovechartreuse- they can be found on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/5-Piece-Stainless-Steel-Knife-Unique-Holder/dp/B000IXINLC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1255125636&sr=8-1

:)

OMG. I've been looking for a wedding present for my brother and his fiance. Thanks Meereesa, I think I just found one. LOL. That man with the knives in him is perfect.

My knives are stored with the edge up, because that way when I go to put them up or take one out I cannot poke the blade into or cut my block. The blocks where the knives lay sideways are sort of the ideal for the blades, but I found the layout annoying.

"because of the balance of the knife blade & handle, doesn't the knife actually rest against the top of the opening more than the bottom?"

Agreed - This is why they're supposed to be stored sharp-edge down.

I store mine flat, on a magnetic strip.

Here's my opinion on storage in a block: blade pointing down.

Why? Gravity...the handle is heavier than the blade so the blade won't rest as heavily on the wood and get dull when it is pointing down. When the blade is pointing upwards, the handle will be lower than the blade and it will push against the wood.

Just my opinion.

i actually vote against the "ex" knifeblock. i have it - and the knives it comes with are terrible. unless you don't mind buying the set just for the fun block and replacing all the knives yourself, which i am slowly having to do.

I have a magnetic strip, but for the moment I'm using my Cutco knife block--and it stores knives on their flat sides. (I like it, but I miss the magnetic strip, which I just don't have wallspace for right now.)

Cutco Knife blocks are designed with the knife slots sideways so you don't cut into the bloc when taking out. The table knives some put in upside down to avoid the knife edges of the table knives cutting into the block....not the safest suggestion, but Cutco has free factory sharpening so just put them in your Cutco block and make sure they don't get dinged up as they would in a drawer. If you need a Cutco block you can call me I'll give you a good deal. 401-265-6386 or visit http://Cutco.Auctivacommerce.com

I've always stored my knives upsidedown in a wooden block...thinking twice about that now.