As it’s been a while since we ventured into the kitchen on LSBA, I thought now as good a time as any. Because we haven’t yet discussed knives, I thought them an apt topic. Whether or not that actually constitutes post-worthy status is debatable, but you know.

Let’s review the basics: various options for storage.

Option 1

If you were a fan of the (fairly) recent magnetics post, then odds are you’ll deem this first storage route a grand idea– magnetic stip + knives.

Pros: convenience; ease of access

Cons: prone to inexactitudes by way of slanting, etc, an obvious down-side for folks with OCD. There’s also the possibility that the magnetic power will wear out, the knives will scatter in all directions, one of which, in its descent to the floor, will manage to amputate a few toes (isn’t there?).

Option 2

For the traditionalist, the knife block.

Pros: Easy to extract and replace.

Cons: sacrificing sacred counter space for a big old bulking knife block.

Option 3

Countertop storage, non-butcher’s block.

Pros: Increased flexibility for those who resent the slots the block imposes.

Cons: The DIY effort required to establish such a system.

Option 4

The drawer/block hybrid.

Pros: offers all the inherent orderliness of the butcher’s block while not occupying counter space, and not being out on the counter (two very different points, which you either get or you don’t get).

Cons: One notch more involved to access, being that getting to them necessitates the opening and closing of a drawer.

Option 5

The lazyman’s solution (also possible the brightest of the bunch)– the giant slot.

Pros: Virtually the easiest system to upkeep and access.

Cons: I don’t know, don’t they tip and stuff?

Okay, now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.

Martha and Emril Lagasse and your dad and granny would all tell you that you’re supposed to handwash your knives because the dishwasher dulls them. And they would be entirely right.

But here’s the thing: we all have certain practices we can get behind, you know? There’s a limit, and there are things we care enough to do and things we don’t. I fold thongs. So. I just can’t get behind the whole hand washing the knives thing. I figure if they actually dull to the point that I can’t slice my apple, leaving my peanut butter all by its lonesome, I’ll sharpen ’em. And then life will resume.

Now, I invite you all to inform me what a horrendous human being I am after all.

Image credits: 1. (left to right) unknown, The Hunted Interior, 2. Dans Le Townhouse, Rue Magazine 3. Chris DiClerico, Migonis Home, Wohnidee,  4. Lapsus Humanus, BHG, BHG, 5. Remodelista, Apartment Therapy, Lindsay Caleo & Fitzhugh Karol for The Selby