I think they're cool, but how do you clean them? Do they lift out?

Someone here was mentioning that if you pull your cabinets out for more counter space, you have space at the back for one of these. Brilliant, I thought.

So, basically I'm no help whatsoever!

I didn't do it, but I saw one in person. It was cool, but I would have done it a bit differently. It was absolutely flush with the countertop, with the wood of the block exposed, and I was thinking that dirt and grime would easily get in any open slots and also all over the top of it. I couldn't tell how someone would be able to lift out to clean. It was straight up and down and there was an upper cabinet right above. I didn't go and lift out the knives, but I was wondering if it would be hard to get a long knife out in one smooth movement.

So if I were doing it, I'd make it able to come out to clean if needed, maybe not totally flush with the countertop, perhaps angled a bit so as you take a knife out you are taking it out at an angle towards you, and make sure there is clearance above so you don't bump into the upper cabinet as you are getting a knife. I didn't want to seem rude, but scrutinizing this thing, but i also wondered if it would be easy to see the slots to put the knife in easily without having to lean in very very close to see.

Cool idea though.

A built in knife block is a nice idea if it is done right. If not, you won't use it.

1. Make sure there is enough room above the block and below the upper cabinets to slide the knives in an out without hitting the bottom of the cabinet.

2. Make sure there is nothing below the block that will interfere with the knives.

3. Don't flush the block. It should be proud of the countertop at least 1/4" so all the countertop debris does not get swept into the knife slots.

4. It should slope slightly toward the front ot the cabinet 25ð at minimum 45ð is better.

An alternative is to cut a single slot at the back of the countertop, about 2" from the back so the knives will fit between the back of the drawers and the back of the cabinet (there is about 2.5" of space there). The slot is a free-floating knive rack. You can slip kives in the slot in any position or order. This kind of knife storage is common in restaurants.