How to Make a Wooden Knife Block

Having a large wooden knife block on the kitchen counter is nice, but frequently takes up much needed space. An under-the-counter knife block can be mounted wherever convenient and out of the reach of young children. Additional blocks can be mounted in various areas, holding different assortments of knives.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 3 pieces of hardwood 3/4-by-5 1/2-by-8 inches
• 4 1.5-inch flathead wood screws
• Sandpaper
• Stain
• Carpenter's glue

1. Lay out the grooves for the knives. Mark lines horizontally across two of the boards at 3/4 inches, 1 5/8 inches, 3/4 inches 1 5/8 inches and 3/4 inches. You'll be cutting out two sections that are each 1 5/8 inches wide.

2. Cut three or four 3/16-inch deep grooves with a saw in both 1 5/8-inch sections. Remove wood between the grooves with a chisel. Since the inside surfaces won't show, the grooves don't need to be perfectly smooth except at the front edge where they will be seen.

3. Assemble the three pieces of wood. Put glue on the surfaces adjacent to the grooves and clamp them together.

4. Finish by sanding the sides, ends and bottoms of the knife block. Stain the wood to match woodwork.

5. Trace an outline of the knife holder on the underside of the cabinet. Drill four shank holes 1/2-inch in from the outside of the outline drawn under the cabinet. Hold the knife block in place and mark the holes with a pencil.

6. Drill pilot holes in the knife block, then mount the knife block under the cabinet by attaching the rack to the cabinet with the flathead wood screws.