For some reason, i do not like my knives out. i have 2 drawers used for silverware and various items. One of the drawers has a flat knife block that fits in next to a silverware divided tray. You dont need alot of space for a holder unless you have alot of knives. I pared down to my favorite ones.

I only have one upper drawer that is close to the ”prep area” in the kitchen, which is filled with silverware and other utensils that are frequently used.

I also keep mine in a drawer with a custom slots. If you only have a few knives, it wouldn't take up much space. Place your 3 - 4 knives side by side blades down and measure the width. Have Beloved Contractor cut a block of wood with slots for the blades to go in a drawer. Otherwise there are lots of in drawer options that hold knives. oops I missed your post - if in drawer is really out of the question, I'd still ask Beloved Contractor for something that meets your requirements both in design and small foot print for the counter.

I follow a goofy guy on IG who is always testing tips and hacks. The other day he was testing some hack where he needed a sharp knife. He looks in a drawer and announces that all his knives are dirty. Then he goes to a cabinet and pulls a knife off the top shelf - above his head. It appeared to be mixed in with lots of other random knives with no organization. There were lots of comments about that! I think I may have actually cringed and visualized a knife bonking him on the head!

I do not like anything on the counter, if I can avoid it. I have this knife block in a drawer. I see it is unavailable, but I’m sure there is something similar that is available.

My steak knifes are kept in a small tray by themselves in the silverware drawer.

ETA: Oops, sorry. I re-read your comment and see that you do not have enough room for an in-drawer knife block.

More ETA: could you eke out a little less than 6 inches of drawer space? This OXO is 5.6” wide https://www.belk.com/p/oxo-compact-knife-drawer-organizer/0438701343810.html?feed=shopping&cm_mmc=PLA-GOOGLE-Pmax_Home_NewCustomer_SHOP_NA--0438701343810&s_kwcid=AL!5203!3!!!!x!!!&campaignengineid=GG_18456628058&adengineid=&adgroupengineid=&ogmap=SEM%7CPLA%7CGOOG%7CPLA%7Cc%7CHOME%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C18456628058%7C&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl-L71dfDggMVDSqtBh2X4ASdEAQYByABEgKE__D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This Williams Sonoma is only 3.5 inches wide https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/williams-sonoma-in-drawer-7-slot-knife-organizer/?catalogId=79&sku=9641171&cm_ven=PLA&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Cutlery%20%3E%20Knife%20Storage&region_id=780420&cm_ite=9641171_14571727833&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj-2UpdjDggMVI0h_AB0XkwO_EAQYByABEgKUGvD_BwE

I have Wustoff and a few Henkel steak knifes...in a drawer....wooden-knife-block. Like this one..only wider.

I have a block at one place and a drawer at the other - just sideways in the drawer, no slots. I like the block as we use knives frequently and they're easy to grab. I have very little on my counters - knife block, paper towel holder, coffee maker, toaster, smallish cutting board.

I don't like a lot on my counter either and use a drawer so not much help. I had the typical knife block for years - I think it went to Goodwill when we moved. I'd mounted one of the magnetic knife strips to the backsplash to the area where I'd prep - it was still in view but at least off the counter.

The last 10 years I've been using a knife dock in a drawer, it is this one from Container Store.. Specialty knives like bread, tomato, few others are slipped into sleeves and lay along side.

I keep mine in a drawer in the island near where I need them all the time.

I only have one upper drawer that is close to the ”prep area” in the kitchen, which is filled with silverware and other utensils that are frequently used.

For me, I'd sooner store some of these other utensils in some sort of crock next to the stove, and put the knives in the drawer in a small drawer style knife block.

Mine are in an in-drawer knife block. At our lake house, they're in a block on the counter which I hate, but the kitchen has a grand total of two drawers, so I really dont have much of an option!

Global is a fantastic knife. My son gave me my first one (the one in the front, top left of your photo) and then I bought one more ( a boning knife). I wish I could get a lot more. I am going to splurge on a pairing knife eventually.

ETA: I prefer as much as possible on the counter where I use it. Also, pots on pot racks. (Think Julia Child's kitchen, but much smaller.)

Mtn, duh, why didn’t I think of that!

You have all convinced me to try to reorganize my drawer... I’ll be back! I have a (potentially) scary dr appt on Fri and this is a perfect diversion…

Goodness, hope all goes well Sue.

In the meantime, with your love of handcrafted things and even sometimes whimsy, finding something for utensils seems like something you'd be great at.

LOL it took all of 2 minutes for me to realize I can easily fit a knife block in that drawer. I mean, did I need to have an apple corer and a pizza cutter (I don’t make pizza) and not one but three Scripto lighters in the drawer next to the stove?? 🙄

I purchased this for our last house and still using. It comes in two sizes. Faces front to back in the drawer.

Mine are all on magnetic holders on walls in the kitchen. This way I can access them very easily - no drawers to open. This is my favorite one, but I store my knives handles up, so that they do not slide off and are easier to grab. The magnet on this one is extremely powerful.

Here is one of my knife holders:

About half of my knives are Japanese.

I bought a Victorinox chef's knife after reading the rave reviews here. It resides in my 5 holder knife block on the counter next to my prep area. I moved my former chef's knife to a nearby drawer. I like both knives for different applications, but I much prefer the easy access the knife block provides.

Btw, you might consider the heat generated by your cooktop on those spices.

Judi, I almost never use the back burners on my range so I don’t think that will be an issue.

My sharp knives are in a drawer. I wish I had a wood block inside to organize them, but right now they just lay in there. A knife block would sure help them not side around. I hate having things on my countertop and have never wanted a counter knife block.

I have the same magnetic strip as Elizabeth, but I store my knives point down. If a knife happens to slide on the strip (for whatever reason), the handle will help keep it in place.

I pretty much designed this kitchen myself. In my prep area, I have a drawer with a wood knife holder in it. All these years later, I’m still really happy with it.