Tip-out Knife Holder?

18 years ago

I'd appreciate a sanity check on a little project I'm considering. We have a 3-3/4" wide space under the countertop between the prep counter base cabinet and the side of the range. We have a tiny kitchen, so I'll feel better if we make some use of the space other than just putting in a filler strip. We also don't have a good place for our knives. The best solution - a magnetic holder on the wall - won't work because all of the wall space anywhere near the prep counter is already used for something else.

I'm thinking about starting with a 3/4" board cut to fit the height and width of the opening. I would saw off the bottom 4" or so of the board and fasten it in place at the bottom of the opening with steel corner brackets screwed into the floor. The remaining length of the board would be hinged to the short length so it tips out into the aisle. I would make a simple knife box of four 3/4" boards separated by 1/4" spacers and attach it to the back of the hinged board, just low enough for the knife handles to clear a cleat attached to the underside of the countertop. If the geometry works out like I think it will, gravity will hold the assembly closed when it's closed and open when it's opened. A length of brass chain would keep it from opening too far. The cleat under the countertop would stop it from closing too far.

As I said, I'd appreciate a sanity check. Am I overlooking anything obvious here?

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Comments (2)

cocontom
18 years ago
I think it would work, but by the time it's all said and done, the Rev-A-Shelf with pegboard and a magnetic knife bar or a restaurant style wall rack mounted on it would be easier to do and work as well or better. We changed our minds a lot- the original intent was to do slots in the counter, but we couldn't figure out how to make that look nice, so we were going to mount the above mentioned rack in the counter. We ended up just mounting it on the side of the cabinet. Here's a link to the rack I'm referring to: http://www.globeequipment.com/Catalog/Kitchen+Supplies/Cutlery/EDL!KR699.html
The one I bought was significantly cheaper at a restaurant supply place- I think it was around $20, but it does have a non-removable stainless top with a plastic gasket to protect the knives.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pull out pegboard filler.
sue_ct
18 years ago
The problem with using the filler insert is that it is supposed to be installed between 2 cabinets to be fastened securely in place. I installed one next to my sink base behind the turn post (the spice rack one). You fasten one side to each cabinet and that makes it secure. You might be able to add a small box to insert it into or something since you do have an extra 3/4 inch to work with that would take a panel of some type. You would just have to find a way to fasten the panel securely so it holds the pullout's frame in place and the pullout doesn't become loose over time with use, and so items don't drop off and get stuck in the space between pullout and refrig. You could always pull the refrig out to retrieve them, though. One plus, the pullout with the metal pegboard might be more solid than the spice rack.

Sue
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