Two main compartments split the load between knives and utensils, offering organized storage for each. On the knife side, double-stitched reinforced elasticized pockets stow twelve different blades safely; on the utensil side, nylon loops arrange 16 kitchen utensils. Each of the two compartments covers implements securely with an inner fabric flap anchored at the corners with Velcro. Close the two halves of the case, and the main zipper anchors both together. Also on the inside, find pen and pencil holders and a mesh pocket for thermometers, tasting spoons, and other small necessities.

The Ultimate Edge Attache Case has a tough exterior of 600 denier PVC laminated polyester fabric -- spill and puncture resistant. Steel D-rings support a deluxe adjustable shoulder strap, and a padded reinforced carrying handle offers a chance to trade-off the load between shoulder and hand during long walks.

One of the best features of this attache-style knife case is the organized outside storage. Five pockets -- each individually accessible through zippered closures -- offer customized space for business cards, important papers, notebooks, and all the other essentials you don't want to bury under several pounds of neatly arranged sharp steel. While the Ultimate Edge Attache Case is well designed, it provides only basic security and very little padding -- consider it a carry-on wherever knives are allowed.

Wusthof's 25-Knife Case provides storage for up to 25 knives and other tools in a luggage-quality naugahyde soft-sided suitcase.

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VICTORINOX Knives Culinary Attache Case Gray Polypropylene New Knife 43960 US $62.50   Auction Ends: 28d 22h 33m

Messermeister 25 Pocket Knife Attache Case US $134.50   Auction Ends: 5d 20h 42m

This compact knife organizer -- only 17 inches by 4 inches by 2-1/2 inches -- holds three large knives and four smaller ones. The large knives -- like chef's knife, carving knife, or santoku -- fill the spaces between the dividers, and the blades of the smaller knives fit slots in the wooden dividers themselves. Knife handles do project an inch or more above the organizer, depending on the brand and type of knife, so plan to install the block in a drawer deep enough for clearance. Three-and-a-half inches of depth should be enough.

Ironwood Gourmet chooses environmentally friendly hardwoods for its products, and the acacia wood in this organizer is one of the best. The acacia lumber comes from plantations in Southeast Asia, where this fast-growing legume is planted for renewable, controlled harvesting. No natural forest was felled to provide these materials. Ironwood Gourmet also works with renewable bamboo and with the wood of the rubber tree, using trees felled on rubber plantations after their latex production declines.

Care of the acacia knife storage block is simple -- just rub it down with butcher block oil occasionally. In case of a spill, the block washes clean by hand with soap and water. Don't leave it soaking, and don't run it through the dishwasher. After hand washing, air-dry the block and re-apply oil.

See the J.A. Henckels 13-Slot In-Drawer Storage Block for more storage in a similar design.

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Only 17 inches by 9-1/2 inches by 2-1/2 inches deep, the tray should leave much of the drawer available for other tools while keeping your good knives organized, safe, and sharp. Natural, oiled ash wood resists splitting and wicks away moisture which could harm your knives' blades. Knives store in two alternating rows with the larger knives towards the front of the drawer and the smaller blades in the back row of slots.

This large, in-drawer tray holds 6 large knives and 8 smaller ones plus one sharpening steel. Many different brands of cutlery should fit. Just make sure the drawer is large enough to accept the tray, and that the depth of the drawer is at least 3-1/4 inches. That should be plenty of room to clear the handles when the drawer closes. The storage tray will hold carving, santoku, chef's and bread knives, but oversized blades like cleavers will need a different home.

Storage trays should be oiled occasionally, and it's always good practice to dry knives before putting them away.

For a different style of in-drawer storage, see the J.K. Adams Maple Knife Tray.

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JK Adams In Drawer Large Wave Ash Wood Knife Tray NEW US $57.25   Auction Ends: 17d 2h 29m

With dimensions of 8-1/2 by 4-3/4 by 9 inches and a weight of about five pounds, the 9-slot block is stable and doesn't take up too much space. The block actually has a smaller footprint than a comparable Wusthof block with the same number of slots. The largest Mundial knife slot in the block should hold an average santoku or chef's knife but certainly not a cleaver. Consider whether the Mundial block fits your style of knife best before you buy. The block provides slots for 7 knives, with two other slots fitting a sharpening steel and a pair of kitchen shears.

The Mundial block does have a nice polish with smoothly chamfered edges and seamless laminated construction. Layers of hardwood lumber stacked with opposing grain patterns resist swelling and cracking but require some regular care. Spills wipe off easily, but all accessible surfaces of the block will need occasional oiling to protect the finish and repel moisture. Rubberized feet keep the block off the countertop and above most spills, but don't leave water standing beneath it for long.

Wooden blocks are still the best way to store fine cutlery, protecting knife edges and wicking moisture away from blades. Place the block where it will be least exposed to steam and radiant heat. Uneven heating and constant moisture can put considerable stress on the block's glue joints.

For a block of the same general size but with a different selection of slots, see the Wusthof 9 Slot Beechwood Block.

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7 Piece Red Block Knife Set Mundial 5100 Series US $131.50   Auction Ends: 7d 19h 51m

Mundial 5100 Series 7 Piece Block Knife Set Black US $131.50   Auction Ends: 19d 20h 19m

What's different about this case? Construction is solid -- Global built the case from strong 600 Denier nylon canvas with double stitched and riveted straps to support handle, shoulder strap, and buckles. Flexible side panels do a good job of protecting knives but flex enough to accomodate that occasional extra item you can't leave behind. Buckle straps also adjust and compress the case for loads of different volumes. That keeps items inside the bag from rattling around.

Twenty-one individual pockets in the main compartment include elasticized retention panels so knives won't slip out of place. An interior panel provides another barrier between the layers of blades when the case folds, and instead of closing this panel with Velcro -- never more than a temporary solution -- the security panel of the Global knife case zips shut.

The case provides a few small pockets away from the knives where chefs can store important kitchen gadgets like meat thermometers, spoons, and pens. A few business card slots are also included, but for the most part, this Global case is all about transporting Global knives safely. Shift between the briefcase-style grip and the padded shoulder strap to ease the load.

For a good case with expanded storage, see the Wusthof Knife Suitcase.

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Global 10 Pocket Soft Knife Case NEW US $47.95   Auction Ends: 9d 20h 16m

Global 16 Pocket Hard Knife Case w Handle NEW US $89.95   Auction Ends: 20d 4h 11m

The block does use black polymer where it counts -- in the non-slip rubberized base and the knife slot protectors -- but otherwise, the block is polished stainless steel. The 11-1/4-inch tall block has a fairly small footprint only 5-1/2 inches wide by 10 inches deep, but to be practical, add the average handle length of five inches to the height. Locate the block where there's clear access, not tucked under cabinets.

Compared to wooden blocks, the Global 11-slot block is a little light in weight. Under 3-1/2 pounds without knives, the block won't be quite as stable if you grab for a knife and move before you should move. Don't locate the block within reach of small children, who might grab for the shiny new fixture and tip it. Like all Global products, this block is very well-designed, but it will require a slight change in kitchen habits if you're used to the stability of a heavy hardwood storage block.

Maintenance of this block is considerably simpler than for a wooden counterpart. There's no reason to oil any part of the Global block and no worries about splitting or swelling. Moisture could create a different problem if you store knives which are still wet. Inside the slots, water droplets are slow to evaporate and don't wick away through the block, as they do in wooden systems. Dry knives thoroughly before you put them away.

For alternative storage specially created for Global cutlery, check out the Global Knife Magnetic Wall Rack.

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New Global Knife Ikasu Block Set AUS stock Warranty US $355.52   Auction Ends: 5d 5h 41m

GLOBAL MASTERCHEF 7 PCS SYNERGY KNIFE BLOCK SET RRP$759 US $344.71   Auction Ends: 26d 1h 13m

The Wusthof knife roll is well-planned with elastic covers that hold knives in place and internal Velcro closures that lock down the corners of the second layer of the roll. More Velcro on the outside of the roll keeps the knife carrier shut tight. The main carrying system is a loop of Cordura strap sewn to the case in a duffel bag style. There's a pocket for a name tag or business card on the outside of the case, and access to the outside pockets via zippered closures.

The Wusthof knife roll also includes metal D-rings sewn to the ends of the bag, which accept the clips of a shoulder strap. The strap itself is not included with the bag, and the Cordura handle sewn to the bag is much stronger than the shoulder strap system.

Although this bag is good for occasional transport of your good cutlery and serves well for storage, it may not hold up to frequent heavy use. Cordura is a synthetic canvas often used for knife sheaths and tool pouches. While the cloth itself endures sunlight and resists abrasion and is moderately puncture-resistant, the stitching which holds Cordura products together is much more vulnerable to wear and tear. Inspect any weak points -- like the D-ring loops for the shoulder strap -- regularly before relying on them to support your good tools.

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Storage capacity is good enough to transport a full kit to and from culinary school or professional appointments. The main compartment of the soft-sided bag is reinforced by a removable plastic storage tray, allowing chefs to lift out their knife collection as one piece. The back compartment of the white tray is a bin where essential gadgets can be kept handy. Internal flaps seal the knife compartment and provide extra separated storage for larger kitchen tools. Smaller pockets in an outer section store pen and pencil and other small odds and ends like notebooks and business cards. Access to that zippered compartment doesn't require opening the main bag. The dual zippers on the main compartments may be padlocked together for better security while in transport.

The bag will be carrying plenty of weight but is built to hold up to it, and the two carrying systems make hauling the knife case through airports as comfortable as possible. A canvas strap running around the case is the foundation for the wide suitcase-style naugahyde handle and puts very little stress on the bag's seams. Also connected to that foundation strap, the wide padded shoulder strap offers a restful second load support. The strap snaps on and off the bag quickly and stores in one of the outer pockets for check-in.

Although not quite so durable as genuine leather, naugahyde is long-lived and easily wiped clean. With ordinary care, the Wusthof Knife Suitcase should last for years.

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Three fabric-hinged sections unfold easily when you release the buckle fasteners in front. Fold-over protector panels cover each section and fasten in place with Velcro closures at the corners. Reinforced pockets are built as strong as the rest of the case, with elasticized covers to stop blades from shifting. On the inside face of the liner panels, you'll find additional storage pockets for odds and ends, gadgets, and personal items. A mesh pocket for tools like thermometers and a zippered moisture proof pocket for important notebooks are both included, and there's loop storage for pen and pencil and a storage slot for business cards. A second card pocket with clear plastic panel serves as an ID tag on the outside of the case.

The external layer of the Ultimate Edge is durable 600-denier polyester fabric. If the case picks up dirt while traveling or gets splashed with sauces in the kitchen, wipe it down with a sanitizing cloth for quick cleanup. The exterior repels both dirt and moisture.

The briefcase-style handle is comfortable and securely mounted to the case, but you'll find the wide padded shoulder strap more convenient on that long run to the check-in counter. The strap comes with the bag and clips easily on and off the metal D-rings built into the top of the case. Ultimate Edge backs this case up with a limited lifetime warranty. It's professionally built and has a professional look.

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Messermeister 5 Pocket Kitchen Knife Bag Roll Storage Chefs Knife Case US $16.99   Auction Ends: 18d 19h 56m

This laminated hardwood block takes up only a small space on the countertop, with dimensions of 7.2 inches long by 4.5 inches wide by 10.8 inches tall. Expect to use a little more space than the minimum measurements since the block is canted forward for easy access to knife handles. Weighing only about four pounds, the block sits on high-friction rubberized feet which keep it in place and above any countertop spills. Shift it easily for cleanup underneath if things get a bit messy.

The water-repellent finish wipes down quickly with only a damp cloth. Keep the block oiled with an occasional rub of mineral oil for the best resistance to stains and moisture. Henckels makes the block by laminating layers of hardwood lumber together with food-safe adhesive, and if cared for properly, the storage block should be a nearly permanent fixture in the kitchen. Pick a spot for the block where the wood won't be exposed to steam or radiant heat.

Wooden storage blocks are the best way to keep sharp prep knives safely stored but in easy reach, protecting the edges of the blades and the fingers of the chef. The horizontal slot system puts the stress and abrasion on the side of the blade, not the cutting edge. Slots do extend completely through, so be aware that storing a knife with a blade longer than the block could damage the counter surface. Store the butcher knife with the 12-inch blade somewhere else.

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Henckels Miyabi 10 Slot Bamboo Knife Block US $27.50   Auction Ends: 4d 29m

HENCKELS 10 SLOT KNIFE BLOCK US $9.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 19h 51m