Knife Storage

[Huevos del Toro]

I use a magnetic strip for my most used knives. For those that see less use I store them in a ballistic nylon knife roll which I also use to transport my cutlery when I’m cooking in someone else’s kitchen. I also have a rotating holder that I’ve mounted under one of my kitchen cabinets. Between the magnetic strip, the rotating holder and the roll I have safe and convenient storage for almost all my cutlery. The big advantage to the magnetic strip, for me, is the fact all the blades are completely visible. It used to bug me that some of my knives have identical handles so blocks don’t work so well. I’m also careful when putting a knife back on the strip to lay the spine on first, then gently lower the edge so as not to deform it. My 12-inch chefs knife just barely fits the roll and won't fit the rotating holder but is just fine on the magnetic strip. And the strip is mounted about 6 feet above the floor level, over the sink so it's out of the way of little children. Important!

[forever_young_ca]

I think my preferred method would be a metal strip. However, I don't have the wall space in my kitchen, so am debating FG's strip method attached to my free standing butcher block. Just debating how good my DIY skills are!

[elyse]

Why don't you screw the magnet to the butchers bock?

[EJRothman]

You can buy a countertop magnetic knife block. Here's the link.

-Eric

[forever_young_ca]

Wonderful idea E! I rarely have small children coming into the house so safety should not be an issue. Thanks very much

[forever_young_ca]

Thanks for the tip EJ, but the magnetic knife block only holds 4 knives - not enought for my growing fettish.

[Vanessa]

I have a ludicrously expensive knife 'block', bought in a fit of insanity, which has turned out to be worth its weight in gold. It is from a Danish designer, brand name Eva Solo here it is. A metal outer case (aluminium?) like a rectangular box with no top and bottom, houses a removable concertina-like plastic insert into which the knives slide. Mine is plain box-shaped, so the knives stand vertically and the blades don't rest on the plastic. They also do a slanted version, shaped more like a conventional knife block, which I dislike - it takes up too much space on the counter and then the blades are resting on the plastic insert. There is room for umpteen knives - far more than a normal block, I keep it on the sink drainer so that wet knives drain straight through. When I take the plastic inserts out to clean, impossible with a normal block, I usually find that they are clean anyway. They don't seem to get gungey like wood does.

v

[maggiethecat]

I  It is from a Danish designer, brand name Eva Solo here it is.

In the words of Pete Townshend:

I wannit I wannit I wannit!

[forever_young_ca]

I wannit I wannit I wannit!

I not only WANT IT, I NEED IT!

Now for the hunt to source out a supplier on the net - someone who will ship to Canada!

This is perfect for me!!!

[clb]

Oh Vanessa, I knew I wanted that Eva Solo knife block as soon as I saw it but now I have a reason (other than aesthetic). At last, at last, the possibility of ditching the horrible pine block.

But can I give it to my husband for his birthday?

clb

[forever_young_ca]

It is from a Danish designer, brand name Eva Solo here it is.

I have done a web search for this knife block with no success. Has anyone else come up with it. I WANT IT!!!!!

[oraklet]

try this:

http://www.alstrom.dk/product_view.jsp?category=96

it's a small place in copenhagen, and i don't know if they speak english. on the other hand, you should be able to click your way through their site.

i'm not sure, though, that the knife block is large enough for a knife fetichist's needs?

[Rachel Perlow]

I found it for $79 on a US site, link: Eva Solo Knife Block on tabletools.com - send yourself a referral for a 10% off coupon code. Looking at other Eva Solo items, I realize I already have the company's cutting board set.

The angled version is available on a British site for 45 pounds.

Edited April 4, 2003 by Rachel Perlow (log)

[forever_young_ca]

Instead I'll ask forever_young_ca: how many knives do you own, anyway? (and what types)

I would like to have about 20 knives in the knife block - this one looks like it will accomodate that many.

What kinds - they are a range - from a great monster (I think at least 12 inch) that I got in an estate sale (name unknown), but wonderful for wacking huge turnips & other larges beasts, several Wustoff, several E. Shaaf Goldhamster (fabulous knives), a couple of Henkels (have a hard time keeping them sharp as I like) and a couple from a local knife manufacturer. We have a local manufacturer that I am just trying out. He makes knives and ships them all over the world. They are beautiful specimens that he makes with your choice of tropical wood handles. He is very popular with a 4 - 6 month waiting list. I am just having a couple made to try out and should be picking them up the end of April. I also keep a couple old no names for hubbies use - he is not quite as particular about knife care as I am and is prone to cutting all sorts of things (cellophane, paper, cardboard) with knives.

I think my favorite (notwithstanding the local guy) are the Goldhamster. They are very heavy, with perfect balance. I have not been able to make the leap to the lighter weight Global yet. I have "tried" them out in the store, lifting them, pretending to chop, etc. They just don't seem to have the weight I like. Plus I don't trust myself to not slip while chopping. I would like to try one out in someone's kitchen before I buy one. On the other hand, maybe I will just have to buy one and see what all the talk is about...........Maybe I will have to order two blocks.

[forever_young_ca]

I found it for $79 on a US site, link: Eva Solo Knife Block on tabletools.com

Thanks a bunch Rachel. I am soooooooooooo excited. Just clicked on the site and ordered one - they ship to Canada for $22.95. Will report to everyone once I receive it.

Thanks to all for you help. This is a great site.

[Vanessa]

I just counted the slots in my Eva Solo knife holder: 44. But I don't think you could fit 44 in, physically. 20 would certainly be fine. I only have 8.

The price sounds about right - bloody ridiculous considering it is only a square of aluminium with some plastic inserts. I guess you are paying for the idea, which is pretty clever.

Eva Solo products are pretty easily available in shops in London, but it is worth shopping around as prices vary.

v

[Suzanne F]

The Eva Solo is also available through the Museum of Modern Art, but at $85 US. $68 for members, and between today and Sunday (4/6) there's a special members' sale with 20% off.

[EJRothman]

The Eva Solo is also available through the Museum of Modern Art, but at $85 US.  $68 for members, and between today and Sunday (4/6) there's a special members' sale with 20% off.

According the MoMA online store, " it stores up to 15 knives." Maybe you can shove your other knives in there anyway.

-Eric

[oraklet]

honestly, it looks like a silly gadget. the plastic will soon be cut by the knives, get ragged and make storing the knives difficult. and they may say it holds 15 knives, but do take a look at the moma-link: it will hold no more than 6 of the globals shown there. and apparently not big enough to hold a really big (say 12") knife.

[Vanessa]

Oraklet - not at all. I have had my block for over a year now. The plastic is very tough and thick - impossible to be damaged by the knives. I have 8 or 9 knives in my holder and it appears nearly empty. There is plenty enough room for more than double what I have. It is also easily tall enough to hold my longest knive, which I am sure is 12" (I am not at home right now).

Edit: but, as mentioned before, I have the upright model, not the slanted one as in the MOMA picture, which seems much less practical.

v

Edited April 7, 2003 by Vanessa (log)

[oraklet]

then perhaps i've been overly suspicious towards it...while scandinavian modern design as a whole is of high standards, this is not the case with kitchen tools and gadgets (a canadian friend once said: "if the knife is all steel, doesn't cut and falls off the plate, take a close look at it: you can be sure it says "scando design" somewhere"). too much emphasis on looks.

still, i think i'd prefer a magnetic rack if it's safe for the edges.

[forever_young_ca]

I ordered my knife stand from table tools on April 4. I received an email from them saying that it was currently not in stock and would be shipped in a few days. I was so excited about finding this beast...............and now I am waiting (not so patiently)

[Gifted Gourmet]

An old thread (and I have a closet full of them!) to be sure, but the only proper place to post:

The Voodoo Knife Block

What a great idea! Removes anger and keeps cutlery sharp for one price!

[JayBassin]

I've gone through knife blocks and various gimmicks. I really like magnetic knife bars, but it's important to get strong magnets. I've had my Messermeister bars for 2 years and they're very strong and stable.

[Chris Amirault]

I've gone through knife blocks and various gimmicks. I really like magnetic knife bars, but it's important to get strong magnets.

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Yeah, and it's important to recognize that thinner knives especially are at risk of falling. Our knife strip is on the door to the pantry, a great idea until I got a boning knife; because the blade is so thin, I have to keep the knife attached at the end of the strip closest to the hinges of the door, or else it falls off when we shut the door.