How to create a wooden kitchen knife holder with angled slots

Creating a wooden kitchen knife holder with angled slots is a practical and stylish woodworking project. With the right materials, tools, and a bit of patience, you can craft a custom knife block that holds your kitchen knives securely while adding a beautiful touch to your countertop. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make your own wooden knife holder with angled slots.

Materials and Tools

Materials:

• Hardwood (e.g., maple, oak, walnut)
• Wood glue
• Wood finish (optional)
• Sandpaper (various grits)
• Wood screws (optional, depending on design)
• Knife slots (can be rubber or felt for knife protection)

Tools:

• Measuring tape or ruler
• Pencil
• Saw (circular saw, table saw, or hand saw)
• Drill and drill bits
• Clamps
• Miter saw or jig (optional for angled cuts)
• Wood plane or sander
• Wood glue

Step 1: Plan and Measure Your Knife Holder

Before you start cutting wood, think about how many knives you want to store and the size of each knife. Measure the length and width of your knives. The standard size for kitchen knives ranges from 6-10 inches in length, but the width will vary depending on the type of knife (e.g., chef’s knife, paring knife, etc.).

• Knife slot size: Each slot should be wide enough to comfortably fit the blade of the knife, but not so loose that it causes the knife to wobble. Generally, a width of about 1/8” to 1/4” per slot is ideal for most knives.
• Angled slots: Decide on the angle for the knife slots. A 15-30 degree angle is common, which allows easy access to the knives while also securing them in place. This angle should be consistent across all slots.

Step 2: Cut the Main Pieces of the Holder

Once you’ve decided on the size and design of your knife holder, begin by cutting the main components:

1. Base piece: This will be the bottom of the holder. Cut a rectangular piece of hardwood that fits your desired knife block size.
2. Side walls: Cut two side pieces to the same height and width as the length of the base piece.
3. Back piece: This will be the piece that holds the angled slots. Cut this piece to the width of the base and the height that works with your slot angles.

Use a miter saw or table saw to make straight cuts for all pieces. If you’re working with a hand saw, make sure to measure and mark carefully to ensure a clean cut.

Step 3: Cut Angled Slots for Knives

Now comes the most crucial part: cutting the angled knife slots.

1. Determine the angle: Set the angle of your saw or jig (or use a miter saw with an adjustable angle) to the desired slot angle, typically between 15-30 degrees.
2. Mark slot locations: Mark where each knife slot will go on the back piece of your knife block. Use a ruler or measuring tape to space the slots evenly, leaving enough room between each one to ensure the knives will not touch each other. Ensure the slots are angled to fit the blade size.
3. Cut the slots: Use a circular saw, table saw, or hand saw to carefully cut along the marks. Make sure the cuts are deep enough to hold the knives securely but not so deep that the knives are difficult to remove. The angle should allow for the knives to be inserted at a slight tilt.

Step 4: Assemble the Knife Holder

After all pieces have been cut and slots are ready, it’s time to assemble the knife holder.

1. Dry fit the parts: Before gluing, dry fit all parts together to ensure everything fits properly.
2. Apply glue: Apply wood glue to the edges of the side walls and back piece, then attach them to the base piece. Clamp the parts tightly and allow the glue to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Screw the parts (optional): For extra stability, you can drive screws into the joints to reinforce the glue bond. Drill pilot holes first to prevent the wood from splitting.

Step 5: Sand and Finish the Knife Holder

Once the glue is fully dry, it’s time to smooth out the edges and give the knife holder a polished look.

1. Sand the edges: Start with a coarse grit sandpaper and gradually move to finer grits to smooth out the surface. Be sure to sand all the edges and slots to prevent rough spots that could damage the knives.
2. Finish the surface: Apply a wood finish or sealant of your choice. This will protect the wood from moisture and add an attractive shine. If you prefer a more natural look, you can leave it unfinished or use an oil finish.

Step 6: Add Knife Slot Protection (Optional)

To protect the blades of your knives and prevent them from becoming scratched or damaged, you can line each slot with rubber or felt strips.

1. Cut rubber strips: Cut the rubber or felt into strips that match the size of each slot.
2. Glue into place: Attach the strips to the inside of each slot using a strong adhesive or wood glue.

This extra layer of protection will also help reduce friction when inserting and removing the knives.

Step 7: Final Touches

Once everything is dry and sanded, check for any areas that need more smoothing or finishing. You can also add decorative touches like rounded edges or carving details to make your knife holder more unique.

Conclusion

Building a wooden kitchen knife holder with angled slots is a rewarding project that can elevate the look and organization of your kitchen. By following these steps and using the right tools, you’ll create a functional and beautiful knife block that securely holds your knives while complementing your kitchen decor.

For more woodworking tips and inspiration, check out Teds Woodworking Course here.