This simple wooden knife rack keeps kitchen knives sharp and safe. Mounted under the cabinets, it reduces clutter on the countertop and keeps knives out of reach of small children. It is easy and inexpensive to make following the woodworking plans below. Simple hand tools are sufficient for this project.  

[Scroll down for plans]

INSTRUCTIONS     ( Copyright © 1998/2017 by J.C.Miller )

1. Laying out the grooves:

Mark out the lines on 2 boards as shown with a marking gauge (Dimensions shown in inches). Mark the areas to be removed with "X"s. (The third board does not have grooves).

2. Cutting the grooves:

A table saw with dado cutter makes short work of the grooves, but you can do just as well with a back saw and a chisel. Make saw cuts just inside the lines on the faces of the boards, to a depth of 3/16". Make 1 or 2 more saw cuts to the same depth, within each groove. Remove the wood from the grooves with a chisel. (The inside surfaces will not show, so the grooves need not be perfectly smooth, except at the front edge.)

CAUTION:  Keep hands out of the path of the chisel blade.

3. Assembly:

Apply glue to the surfaces adjacent to the grooves and clamp the pieces together as shown. (Woodworking tip: You may also need to clamp the edges in place to hold the pieces in alignment while the glue sets.)

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4. Finishing:

Sandpaper the sides, ends and bottom face. Stain, if desired, to match kitchen woodwork.

5. Mounting the knife rack under the cabinet:

Trace the outline of the rack onto the lower side of the shelf where it is to be mounted. Drill 4 shank holes in the shelf about 1/2 inch in from the outline of the rack. Countersink the shank holes from the top of the shelf. Holding the rack in place, mark positions of pilot holes in the rack through the holes in the shelf. Drill pilot holes in the rack. Attach the rack to the lower side of the shelf with #8 flathead wood screws.

CAUTION:  Always wear eye protection when using a power drill.