Knife storage

[cabo_sailor]

I love to cook and enjoy surprising folks who think fine dining doesn't mix with sailing. I would like to have some good quality knives on board but can't bring myself to dumping them in a drawer.

Magnetic bar storage seems to be an option but I'm concerned about safety. We've been in some mighty choppy water and the idea of a handful of very sharp knives going airborne is not appealing. Has anyone tried these magnetic holders (or something else for that matter)? Are they strong enough to keep a blade in place in rough conditions?

I've tried using the search routine for "knife storage" and appear to get threads that have no connection whatever to the search phrase.

TIA

Rich

[Trim50]

We use a magnetic knife storage and it works great. Make sure you have some good German steel knives and it shouldn't be a problem.

[limmer]

I was on a boat that had cuts put right thru the counter top at the back of a set of drawers where the blade of the knife went thru. looked like a good idea.

[Vasco]

I don't trust knives out in the open whether they're held by strong magnets or not. Put them in a drawer with a good catch. Doesn't hurt them, just sharpen them every time you use them.

[hellosailor]

Rich, I don't know where it was or came from, but I have seen a "knife block" made up in a drawer, so that each knife was stored with the sharp side of the blade "down" and a space milled about the handle so you could pick it up and out. A regular knife block would work, as long as you bolted it down and provided some kind of "cover" to secure the knives into it. You could also mill/route one long series of slots into the back of a counter, and build a flip-down cover to secure the knives down into it, or something like that.

[GreatKetch]

Our good knifes all live in a drawer, BUT they are in leather sheaths. In addition to protecting the edges from nicks and dents, we keep the leather saturated with cooking oil which protects the carbon steel blades from rust.

I never have found a stainless blade that comes close to our Japanese laminated Knives ability to take and hold an edge. They are literally razor sharp, and stay that way for weeks between sharpenings. I have a bald spot on the back of my left hand where I shave the hair to test and see if I am done sharpening.

The sheathes are easily made, just take an appropriatly sized piece of medium weight split leather, fold it in half, and stitch two sides together. A small enough project you can stitch by hand without a lot of work.

Bill

[cabo_sailor]

Thank you for all your responses. I've considered cutting some slots into the rear of the counter. Actually pretty easy - simply drill two 3/8 in holes - cut between them and plug holes with 3/8 dowel. It just seems so permanent.

The rack in the drawer would be fine but I don't have enough draws to dedicate one to holding 3-4 knives.

I collect, re-furbish, and use straight razors - consequently I have the mind set that even my knives need to have a very keen edge. The idea of letting them bounce around is not going to be on my short list.

I was rather hoping that someone would say "oh yeah I found this at ....." but it looks like I'll have to make something. As an alternative to holes in my counter I have also considered making a hinged rack that would mount vertically from a bulkhead or inside a cabinet door. Looks like I need to have another glass of ol' thought provoker and doodle a few sketchs.

Thanks again,

Rich

[Randyonr3]

A year or so ago, we installed an "ELF" rack system in the quarter berth, now a pantry... The drawers are made of mesh steel...the wife says its the best as the knives as well as other kitchen tools have air flowing around them... no rust, or mildue...

[cabo_sailor]

Randyonr3,

Could you elaborate on that a bit. "ELF" rack system? Also, I'd be interested to know what you did to your quarterberth in some detail. That's another project that is on my "honey do" list. Too much wasted space in the QB.

Thanks
Rich

[witzgall]

I too would love to see any ideas on converting a Quarter Berth to useful space.


Chris

Originally Posted by cabo_sailor

Randyonr3,

Could you elaborate on that a bit. "ELF" rack system? Also, I'd be interested to know what you did to your quarterberth in some detail. That's another project that is on my "honey do" list. Too much wasted space in the QB.

Thanks
Rich

[Lancerbye]

I installed a double wall strip magnet to hold the knives. These are very strong magnetic stainless covered strips we got from IKEA. Does a great job keeping the knives organized. They will never accidently let go. Even in a roll over.

[Abaco]

Just put some industrial strength velcro under your favorite knife block. My last boat had the knife block built into the counter top which was pretty cool.

[Hud3]

I keep my good quality knives in a knife block, too. It's wedged into a bin behind the reefer so it can't escape, no matter how rough it gets.

[hellosailor]

Cabo,how about going to a good wurstwaren (a place that sells german wursts and salamis, etc.) and buying a dozen nice salamis and cevalats and such? Then you just hang 'em alongside the galley, and stick a knife or two in each one.<VBG>

Keeps the rust away, too!

[Maren]

Originally Posted by Lancerbye

I installed a double wall strip magnet to hold the knives. These are very strong magnetic stainless covered strips we got from IKEA. Does a great job keeping the knives organized. They will never accidently let go. Even in a roll over.

The only issue I have with magnetic holders is you need to be careful to not roll the knive edge first.