In-Drawer Knife Block: Build Your Own

In-Drawer Knife Blocks: Space-Saving Kitchen Storage

In-drawer knife blocks keep blades protected while saving counter space. This project creates custom storage matching your knife collection and drawer dimensions. The result is safer, more organized, and more attractive than loose knives in drawers.

Design Planning

Measuring Your Drawer

Measure inside drawer dimensions carefully: width, depth, and height. Account for drawer slides and any hardware that intrudes into the space. The block should fit with room for easy removal.

Inventorying Knives

Lay out all knives you want to store. Measure blade lengths and thicknesses. Group by size for efficient slot planning. Include sharpening steel and specialty tools if desired.

Slot Layout

Arrange slots efficiently within the drawer footprint. Larger chef’s knives need deeper slots. Paring knives fit shallower areas. Leave space between slots for easy access without crowding.

Construction Methods

Stacked Slat Design

Multiple slats stacked with spacers between them create parallel slots. This approach adapts easily to different knife sizes by varying spacer thickness. Assembly is straightforward.

Cut slats to uniform length matching drawer width. Space them with strips of appropriate thickness. Glue the assembly together and add a solid base.

Routed Slot Design

Routes slots directly into a solid block using a router and appropriate jig. This creates a more traditional appearance but requires more setup. Good for production of multiple blocks.

Two-Tier Design

For deep drawers, create upper and lower knife storage levels. The upper tier slides or lifts to access knives stored below. Doubles capacity in the same footprint.

Material Selection

Primary Wood

Use hardwood for durability. Maple and beech resist knife wear well. Walnut provides rich color. Bamboo makes an affordable alternative with good properties.

Avoid softwoods—knife blades mar the surface quickly. Resinous woods can affect blade edges or transfer flavor.

Slot Sizing

Slots should be slightly wider than blade thickness—enough for easy insertion but not so loose that knives rattle. Approximately 1/8 inch clearance works well. Too tight causes blade wear; too loose allows movement.

Slot Angle

Angled slots make knife removal easier and display knives attractively when the drawer opens. A 20-degree angle from vertical works well. Steeper angles may cause knives to slide out; shallower angles work but offer less visual impact.

Vertical slots work fine functionally. Choose based on aesthetic preference and drawer depth constraints.

Construction Steps

Cutting Components

Mill slats to consistent thickness. Cut spacers to match slot width requirements. Prepare the base panel. Ensure all parts are flat and square.

Assembly

Glue slats to spacers in sequence. Clamp the assembly flat, ensuring slat alignment. After cure, add the base. Sand the assembled block smooth.

Finishing

Use food-safe finish—mineral oil or a dedicated cutting board finish. Multiple coats protect the wood from moisture and staining. Reapply periodically to maintain protection.

Advanced Features

Magnetic Strip

Inset rare earth magnets hold blades securely beyond friction fit. Helpful for larger knives or heavily used blocks. Magnets mount behind slot faces, invisible but effective.

Drainage

Drill small holes through slot bottoms for water drainage. If knives enter wet (they shouldn’t, but sometimes do), water escapes rather than pooling. Raises the block on small feet.

Non-Slip Base

Attach rubber feet or non-slip material to the bottom. This prevents the block from sliding when extracting knives. Particularly important for smooth drawer bottoms.

Safety Considerations

Slots should support blades edge-down. This protects both edges and reaching fingers. Never design slots that store knives edge-up.

Adequate slot depth prevents knives from tipping out when the drawer opens abruptly. Blades should be captured securely enough to resist typical drawer movement.

Maintenance

Wipe the block periodically to remove debris. Re-oil annually or when the wood appears dry. Inspect for wear at slot entries—heavily used slots may need sanding smooth.

Customization Ideas

Compartments

Add open compartments for accessories: sharpening steel, kitchen shears, or other tools. Mixed storage keeps everything organized together.

Labels

Engrave or burn knife names at slot locations. This helps household members return knives to proper spots and quickly identifies each slot’s contents.

Matching Sets

Build coordinating blocks for different drawer locations: one for chef’s knives, another for utility knives, a third for steak knives. Consistent design unifies kitchen organization.

An in-drawer knife block keeps knives accessible, protected, and organized while reclaiming valuable counter space. The project makes an excellent gift or personal kitchen upgrade.