Knife Storage

[SailingSue]

Ok here's what you might think is a dumb question. We're new sailors and we live aboard. I have some very good quality chef's knives that I use frequently and I am not willing to part with. My question is storage. On land, I stored them using a magnetic strip and the knives were safely held in place. On the boat though I'm worried that the magnetic strip, 14 inches long, will adversely affect the compass accuracy at the helm approx. 10-12 feet away from the galley. Should I be worried about this and look for a differnt storage method or do I just have newbie jitters?!

[Alan Wheeler]

Well the easiest way to find out, is take a bearing with the compass and then bring the magnet onboard and place it temporary in posistion. Then check the compass to ensure it isn't giving a different reading.
However, I am not sure I would want to store knives in this manner anyway. It would only take one very sharp wild jolt off a wave or hitting something, and the knives could find a different place to store themselves. I wouldn't want to be that place.
Things like that need to be stowed away safe and secure.

[Talbot]

Our sharp cooking knoves are stowed away in a plastic case- much safer, and also easier to find the correct knofe.

[delmarrey]

What I use is 2 cardboard strips 2" X 12" (for the largest) taped together for each knife. Then slide the knife between the two. Then store them in a drawer.

When the cardboard gets old or dirty. it's easy to replace.

I thought of a wood block like at home but the placing was difficult.

[rakuqueen]

We got plastic guards from William Samona, they work great. Protect the knife and my hands!!

[Jon D]

We have a wood verticle knife holder[kind of a mini chefs knive block] that is attached to the bulkhead in the gallywith battens to stop knives from shifting at sea. Only time might be an issue is with a complete rollover. Works like a champ for those we use all the time. Others are strored as described above.

[witchcraft]

We have a knife roll, (similiar to a tool roll) , that works beautifully. One can have a large selection of good knives, stored in a small space. If they knocked about, well the knives are protected and so are the people.
Cheers
Witchcraft

[bearhill]

Where does one find a knife roll?Are they the same thing that caterers use to transport their knives.
Sounds like a great Idea.
I have a japanese knife made out of ceramic that would be great on a boat.Light, sharp and will not rust!

[Harriet]

Sue,

We have used a magnetic strip for our knives for over a year, and we've had no problems with the compass. Our galley backs up to our helm (we have a sailing catamaran). We installed the magnetic strip on the inside of the cabinet door for the cabinet under the galley sink. I would guess that the magnetic strip is less than 10 feet from the compass.

I really think this is an excellent solution to your knife storage problem.

[SailingSue]

Great ideas from everyone! Thanks very much. For the 'knife roll' you can check out website www.cooking.com, they have a few that aren't very expensive but look attractive and durable.

Fair Winds!