Wanted: Wood Magnetic Knife Block

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Ok Pit wood workers... When we finally get around to getting our kitchen redone, I'm possibly going to lose my current knife storage options. I might use some 3M tape for our magnetic holders for my other stuff but my good knives need to be a little more accessible... and they already lost their home when I moved my fridge.

We agreed on a compromise of a free standing double sided magnetic knife block, the problem is I need one at least 12" tall and 14-18" wide and when I look at those on Amazon the prices are near the $200 range. I refuse to pay over $100 for a hunk of wood and epoxy from China. I would however pay that and a little more for something like that made by 1 of our fine Pitmaster Club friends.

Wife wants a darker stained wood (I think something with dark blackish browns or greys would work fine) and some swirly sapphire toned blue acrylic. Whatever it is, can't be just a hunk of wood, so either a unique pattern wood and/or a decent stained wood with the rivers of acrylic.

Below are just some examples, if it's something you might be interested in doing feel free to PM me for possible pricing if it's not something you want to discuss publicly. Though I would be sharing the end result here in the Pit (sans price). If this is something you already make from time to time, I'd love to see what you have done in the past.

This is our favorite one acrylic wise and the stain color isn't too far off from what she would like
Amazon.com: FINDKING Magnetic Knife Block, Double Sided Knifes Holder, Powerful Magnet Kitchen Knives Storage, Acacia Wood and Resin, Brown, 12 x 10 Inches (Without Knives): Home & Kitchen

A nice flowing grain pattern like this with no acrylic but a darker stain
ColorLife Magnetic Knife Holder | Wayfair

Something funky like this might be an option too, we definitely like the grain on olive wood
RARE Knife Block 300 Yrs Old Olive Wood Knife Holder Magnetic Knife Holder Knife Stand Olive Wood Knife Block - Etsy

[HawkerXP]

Helloooo RonB

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

He makes really nice cutting boards... I dunno that I've seen one of his with the epoxy stuff or how hard it is to work with magnets so I figured I'd cast a wider net.

[Oak Smoke]

I just checked and found quite a few in eBay. It’s worth a look.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I found a few, but honestly if I'm gonna spend money I'd rather give a Pit Member a chance to earn that money.

[RonB]

Thanks for thinking of me. I did one for our son in 2020 to match a cutting board I made for him. It was not a pleasant experience for me for a number of different reasons, so I will have to pass. The one I made was about 18" wide if I remember correctly, and would hold knives on both the front and back. I could fit blades of either 8" or 10" on the front, and 10" or 12" on the back.



All the wood has natural colors. The dark wood is walnut. The white wood is maple, and the red wood is bubinga. There are also two very narrow stips of cherry in it too.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Were there any significant points of pain making it? On the off chance I just try to make my own.

[RonB]

First, quality magnets are expensive. I did not use the cheap magnets I bought on Amazon - they were not powerful enough. then you have to figure how many you need and how far apart to space them, and how close to the outer surface should they be. You must also decide if you want to route a groove for them or drill holes.

I like working with wood - magnets not so much.

[Mosca]

On the one hand,

I refuse to pay over $100 for a hunk of wood and epoxy from China. I would however pay that and a little more for something like that made by 1 of our fine Pitmaster Club friends.

On the other hand, once it’s spent, it’s over. The band aid has been ripped, and you have the thing you want.

I am all against paying too much, and strongly against what I call “the tyranny of ‘things’”. But sometimes it’s worth it to make everything fall into place.

Unless you can think of a different solution. Myself, I’d spend a few weekends at estate sales first.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Worst case we'll just buy one, heck I might just try to make my own and then end up buying one because.mine sucks... but I figured I'd see if s9meone here might want to make one first

[sarredon]

I got a really nice block off of etsy thats similar to what you are looking for. Might try on there if no one is looking to make on here. Below is the link for the block I purchased. The magnets are strong and hold my knives easily. They don't feel like they will slip off ever. The block has good weight, so it doesn't move when I pick up a knife or put one back. I like the look, and my wife does too! (she's way more picky). It has a huge capacity, and my collection seems to keep growing.

I can upload some pictures if you'd like to see how its stood up to several months of constant use. But it looks exactly as it does in the picture. I

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1671482876/custom-handmade-kitchen-knife-storage?show_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I like that one, the problem with most of the Etsy ones I like is they seem to be made in Europe and the shipping and taxes puts them higher than what they should be.

[sarredon]

The one I got was made in the US (PNW I think) shipping isn’t usually super cheap tho due to weight.

[sarredon]

I will add, I avoided getting an epoxy one because I was worried about how the epoxy would hold up. I’m sure it’s fine, but I’d never really be worried about the wood block knowing I could just sand and restain if needed.

Also I did see some very reasonable cost blocks from Schmidt bros online.