kitchen knife block question

[quint]

So I have been tasked with making a couple of kitchen blades for christmas (good thing I got warned ahead of time ) and was considering making a nice block to hold them. I know this can be a labor in among itself so while looking at a bunch online for ideas I came across a design that is basically a open top box filled with sticks basically like this one http://www.custommade.com/custom-made-knife-block/by/ClarkWoodCreations/

Looks a tad easier then doing a traditional block. My question is how well do they work for any of you all that have tried them before. Thanks for any input. Just wanna get an idea before I start something that I wont have time to experiment with much.

 

[GrizzlyBear]

Looks like a cool idea, only problem I see is potential cost. There's a TON of those tiny dowel rods. Finding a supplier with bulk rates would be the way to go.

Reminds me of this:

www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=13749337

 

[aarongb]

I have a couple. Very easy to make, just a box and the larger size of bamboo skewers. I prefer the skewers point up, but thats probably just nitpicking on my part. I also have the one that Grizzly linked. Same concept, I just prefer the bamboo over plastic.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Are the skewers loose, or glued in at the bottom?

 

[NickWheeler]

That's a really cool idea!

But for $30, I'd buy that KaPoosh giz-wiz and spend your time focusing on the knives instead of the block.

 

[quint]

Thanks guys, yeah looked at that one. Only issue I have heard is the plastic inserts wear out pretty quick. I have a local wood worker I am going to talk to about making one up for me depending on price ofcourse. Would make my life easier.

Stacy they are just sitting in there from what I understand, enough to make a tight fit with all the blades in the box.

 

[aarongb]

Yup, loose. Adjustable by adding/removing skewers.

 

[Phair12]

I've had the plastic one for two years looks same as when I got it.

 

[Patrickknives]

I made this block as a empty box and then covered the top and sides with black palm wood that was 1/4 thick, you can get a number of thin woods which makes construction alot less than a solid block.

 

[quint]

I remember being impressed by that setup when I first saw it. Great lookin work Patrick.

 

[GrizzlyBear]

There's an idea. Do you not have to worry about the blades contacting one another with just the face as a seperator?

 

[Patrickknives]

The face is about 1/2" thick and the gap just wider than the blade, it holds pretty well and they really don't have much side play. You can alway add a seperator in the box in you like. This construction allowed me to use the same wood in the block as the handles but without the cost. The thin cut woods are not real expensive depending on what you choose.

 

[GrizzlyBear]

Awesome. I may borrow that idea Thanks for sharing it!

 

[Salem Straub]

Nice work, Patrick! I saw one of those knife blocks the other day and passed on it. I thought that it might have a dulling effect on the edge over time. (The dowel filled block, not the one by Patrick.) Cool idea though.