Efficient DIY Knife Block

A knife is one of the most important tools in a kitchen. It is used for a variety of tasks, including chopping, slicing, and dicing. A good quality knife will make these tasks easier and more efficient. As important as having a good set of knives is, having a safe and effective way to store them is also critical.

Many people opt for a block or magnetic strip to keep their knives within easy reach, but these can be dangerous if not used properly. If you have young children in your home, it’s important to choose a storage option that will keep them out of harm’s way.

Looking for a unique gift? Then this DIY knife block should do the trick!

Just as materials, maintenance, and cleaning are important for getting the best cutting performance from your knives, so too is how they’re stored.

While it may not seem like it, proper knife storage can be a tricky subject. Certain ill-conceived storage practices will dull and damage fine edges and put your fingertips at risk. The more “cutting edge” methods help to keep those edges keen and crisp – and your fingers intact.

This project is not for the average DIYer as it requires access to a CNC machine to cut the pattern in the ply. If you don’t have access to a CNC machine, you can try using a very good hand and an equally good jigsaw. However, we don’t recommend this method as it’s more difficult and time-consuming. The last option would be a good, old-fashioned fret saw but we’re guessing there are not too many of those in your tool kit 🙂

One of the best ways to get a precise and clean cut when working with wood is to use a fret saw. These saws are designed specifically for making intricate cuts, and they can be a vital tool for any woodworker or carpenter.

Once cut, there’s a bit of manual work involved such as bevelling the edges, gluing, and sanding, but it shouldn’t take a lot of time if you have the right tools. And of course, if you are getting this done on a CNC machine, you might as well get a few done so that you’ve got those Chrissie gifts well and truly covered!

If you don’t have access to a CNC machine and question your jigsaw skills, use this tutorial as an inspiration for your own, simpler design. You don’t need to have a workshop full of high-tech gear all it takes is a bit of creativity and resourcefulness.

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Materials:

• Beech Plywood:

1. 700 x 290 x 15mm
2. 460 x 340 x 15mm
3. 350 x 340 x 15mm
4. 260 x 340 x 15mm

• Magnet Ø25 x 5mm (NdFeB)
• 6mm Dowels
• Wood Glue
• Clear Varnish
• 3x Felt Pads
• Kitchen Knives

Tools:

• End mill (3mm)
• Corner Rounding Bit
• Sandpaper
• CNC Mill
• Manual Router
• Estlcam or another CAM Software
• 2D CAD Program – for customizing knife slots

Project File:

Solder Knife Block Files

Here are some pointers when making your own knife block:

1. The three main parts of this knife block consist of 15mm boards that are fitted with 6mm dowels and glued together because this process is much simpler with the machine than creating thick solid parts.
2. If your wood board has a different thickness than the one mentioned here (15mm), you must adjust the drawings accordingly to make sure the parts will fit perfectly.
3. Don’t forget to adjust the size of the knife slots according to the knives that you have. Use 2D CAD software for this.

Isn’t it a great project to try?

Thanks Christian Knuell for this amazing project!