Knife rack idea

tobinsmith

tobinsmith

Joined
Feb 4, 2008
Messages
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I'm always coming in and out of the house and laying a knife, in one stage of completion or another, here or there. Mostly where I shouldn't (on the counter in the kitchen). I've been meaning to come up with a designated spot to keep them so that they don't "walk off", as well as a place to keep them up and away from the smaller ones. I finally decided on some sort of shelf to keep them up higher.

The following is what I came up with. It's made of 1"x3" oak and is glued and screwed together. I have no doubts about this bad boy holding up!

The slots are 1/4" wide each since I've yet to make one wider than that. I also put 10 wooden pegs on the front so I can hang those blades that are in-progress that haven't made it to the handle or guard stage yet.

I'm gonna make another, hopefully a better version using the lessons I've learned making this one to keep in the house.

What do you guys think?

rack1.jpgrack3.jpgrack2.jpg

And here it is "in action"...

rack4.jpgrack5.jpg
 
It looks like it should do a pretty good job of holding knives. What do you think about putting felt or leather between the slots so that you don't scratch the front of the handle as it sits in the slot?

I think too much, so take this with a grain of salt. If you need a place to set knives and blades so that you know where they are, then you've got what you need.

As far as keeping them out of the hands of youngsters, I'm not so sure. They're hanging pretty low. It seems to me that by hanging them on the wall along with other decorations that you're trying to display them also. I understand that.

I'm really confused about this because I was raised with lots of guns around the house. I had six of them proudly hanging in my bedroom when I was still in grade school. I know that kids can be taught to be responsible. Yet I worry about them.

You know your situation and I don't. I just would hate to see anyone, but especially a child get hurt.

- Paul Meske, Wisconsin
 
Thanks, guys, for your comments.

Paul, thanks for your ideas. I had originally thought about felt inside the slots, but couldn't figure out a way to pull it off. I never thought about the front of the handle/guard, thanks!

As for the kids, I have the same mixed feelings about the knives and guns. I grew up around them too, and I educate them on their proper use as tools. The pics I took were just to demo the rack, final install is gonna be a bit higher.

Thanks for the input!
 
Looks good, but from here those blades hanging from the pegs look a tad spooky; like they could slide off the peg and fall off/down point first with a wallop of a door slam or some such catalyst.
 
Just an alternative.

I got a stack of plastic containers at the dollar store. They are about the size of a loaf of bread. I drop the parts for one knife project in each basket, along with any paperwork and supplies needed. I can take one project or a bunch of them to the shop...or to sit and sand....or to match a handle block. The blades are protected,you don't have to look around for where the parts are, and injuries are much less likely. They can all be stacked on top of each other between shop trips. If working on several similar knives at a time, it also prevents the problem of not remembering which handle block was for which knife.

On the subject of scratching a blade that is in the sanding/polishing stages...I make up cardboard sleeves to slip over the blades while in the bins. It prevents accidental scratches. Just take a piece of posterboard that is long enough by three times the blade width. Tri-fold it and glue the seam shut with Woodbond or white glue, or whatever glue is on the shelf. Make up a batch from a sheet of posterboard and keep them in a plastic bin,too. Also a good way to store and transport knives.
 
Phil, thanks. The pegs all have a slight upwards tilt as I placed a small piece of metal stock (1/8" maybe) under the top side of the main block when drilling the holes.

Stacy, those are some great ideas, and far simpler and cheaper than what I came up with, thanks! We have a history of wood-working in my family and some of it has rubbed off on me, I guess.

Thanks guys!
 
Neat idea, and your woodwork looks awesome. I know building something with lots of little dividers can be a PITA to gt it all even and no gaps. Only thing is it looks upside down to me. Just seems to be taking up a lot of vertcle space.

Its funny how many side projects knifemaking spawns, seems like I end up needing to make this, or buy that tool.
Oh well, if it wasn't fun we wouldn be doing it!


-Xander
 
Why not hang those blades off the deer antlers besides it :D
Just kidding, I like what you've made.
I might do something likt that one day.
 
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