A knife holder is disclosed. The knife holder includes a housing and a block portion for holding one or more knives. The block portion is pivotally attached to the housing such that the block portion may be moved between an upright position in which the block portion is substantially within the housing, and an extended position in which the block portion extends from the housing so that knives may be easily withdrawn therefrom. The knife holder may further include a locking mechanism operatively coupled to the knife block, for selectively locking the knife block in the upright position so that knives cannot be easily withdrawn therefrom.