How to Pack Knives for Moving: 7 Helpful Steps

Before you start the packing process, ensure you have the required materials and moving supplies to make packing your sharp knives safer and more effective. Collect the essential supplies listed above.

Additionally, make sure your knives are clean and dry. This prep step will make unpacking them much easier since they can go directly in your new kitchen drawers. Making sure they’re dry protects them from rusting during the move. 

There are several ways to pack your kitchen knives. If you have many individual knives, start by sorting them and grouping similar knives according to their type and size. 

1. Pack your butter knives together.

2. Group all steak and bread knives, plus those used to chop vegetables. 

3. Set aside any chef’s knives, carving knives, or any large knives.

4. If you have any other knives that don’t fall into any other category, such as antique knives, keep them separate.

Start by placing two to three clean sheets of packing paper on the counter, and spread out each group of knives, leaving a gap of two to three inches between each knife.

Take the packing paper and roll it over the first knife, wrap it completely, and repeat the process with each knife in the row. Ensure that all the knives are wrapped individually within the packing paper and that knives aren’t touching each other. 

• Butter knives: Pack them in bundles of four.

• Chef’s knives: Place larger and sharper knives in an extra layer or two of packing paper. Wrap them in a clean cloth or towel for additional protection.

• Butcher knives: After wrapping extra-large knives in packing papers, lay them on their sides and put the blades inside a folded piece of cardboard. Tape the carton tightly, then tape that end shut, folding the flaps over for more protection.

When you finish wrapping all of the knives, you should have something that resembles a roll of knives in the packing paper, with each knife individually wrapped up.

Wrap the knife rolls and bundles with an additional layer of bubble wrap for an extra level of protection and secure with packing tape. This method will help prevent any heavy objects from damaging your knives during the move and prevent the knives from sliding out, moving around too much, or damaging fragile items.

Bubble wrap gives an additional layer of protection. Knives can easily tear through paper wrapping, but bubble wrap helps ensure that doesn’t happen. Plus, it keeps your hands safe when you’re reaching into boxes when unpacking in your new home. Bubble wrap also holds your knives in place, preventing them from sliding out of the packaging materials. 

Using smaller boxes to pack your knives is a great way to decrease the chance of injury incidents and eliminate the possibility of damaging other kitchen items. 

1. Before packing the block or rolls of knives, line the moving box with crumpled packing paper or a layer of bubble wrap to provide extra cushioning. 

2. Then, carefully place the wrapped and secured knives or the wrapped knife block in the bottom of the box. 

3. You can pack similar kitchen items such as silverware and cutlery in the same box. 

Remember to fill the excess space with tissue or tea towels to prevent the knives from sliding around in the box. Don't forget to label the boxes so you and the movers know that the box contains sharp objects.

If your knives come with a knife block, don’t forget to pack that. It’s best not to keep the knives in the block as they can easily slide out during transport. Your knife block should be easy to package by wrapping it in a layer of packing paper and bubble wrap and packing it away with the rest of your kitchen belongings.