ON THE CUTTING EDGE: 7 OF THE BEST KNIFE BLOCKS

Even if you've given up the saddle of lamb or roast chicken for Veganuary - or for good, every kitchen needs a good set of knives. From paring and slicing to carving and chopping the right blade will make preparing delicious dishes easier and quicker.

Take good care of them and most quality knives will last a lifetime, so a stylish block to store them in is a must.

Sharp knives lose their edge if they're stuffed in a drawer (and put in the dishwasher) so wash and dry them by hand and keep them in tip top condition by storing them correctly.

Invest in one of these new generation knife blocks and you'll have your utensils standing stylishly proud within easy reach and ready for you to show off your culinary prowess to friends and family.

Designed by Christian Bird, this angular knife block looks like a sculpture. Clever use of weighting secures the knives in their blocks, just as slight angling allows for them to be easily removed.

Designed by Christian Bird, this angular knife block looks like a sculpture. Clever use of weighting secures the knives in their blocks, just as slight angling allows for them to be easily removed.

From Germany's heritage knifeware company, this modern knife block is crafted from natural bamboo and fitted with magnetic slots to securely hold its five knives. Each blade is precision forged with ice-hardened stainless steel for durability and finished with an ergonomic handle and a classic three rivet design.

This nifty gadget is made from silicone and ultra-compact for maximum space saving on your worktop. Each knife is made from stainless steel and has a non-stick, silicone-coated blade with comfortable, ergonomic handles, tool rest and weighted handle so the head doesn't touch the work surface when you place it down. The rotating knife block is super sturdy with a non-slip base and magnetic knife slots that hold the knives securely in place when stored. Knives include: 3½” Paring knife, 4¼” Serrated knife, 5” Santoku knife, 6” Chef’s knife, 8” Carving knife, 8” Bread knife.

Made from X50 German stainless steel with an official Rockwell hardness rating (HRC) of 55 ±2 (which means they're good), these knives come with a 25-year guarantee. The set includes paring, utility, chefs, bread knife, santoku knife, carving knife and knife block.

Contained in a natural acacia wood block, this set contains 6 full tang knives with chunky bolsters for great balance and anti-rust, super sharp blades. Each knife is labelled with its name the end of the handle and the set comes with a 25 year manufacturer's guarantee.

The durable titanium coating on these stainless steel knives makes this range highly resistant to rust, tarnish and dishwasher safe. The magnetic knife block which holds the knives in position makes this an eye-catching piece of kitchenware.

Made from wood and aluminium, this elegant knife block holds six professional knives from Wüstof's Ikon series.