Universal Knife Block: Martin Robitsch Design 2026

Universal Knife Block: Design Martin Robitsch, he designed this knife block, and I immediately loved it. Because it's quite expensive but not too difficult to make one, I decided to contribute my own.

Materials:

• 4 Pieces of 255mm x 140mm x 9mm (10″ x 5.5″ x 3/8”) in nice solid wood (I used oak), these will be the sides of the box.
• 1 Piece of MDF or plywood measuring 130 mm x 130 mm x 8 mm (5″ x 5″ x 3/8″). This will be the bottom, invisible part.
• 2000 Bamboo Skewers, 25 cm long (9.8″)
• Wood glue
• Wood oil

Tools:

• Saw: Only needed if you need to cut all 5 pieces
• Sander: Ideally a belt sander for sanding and an orbital sander for finishing
• Clamps
• Router (optional)

Note: You could modify the dimensions if you wish: I just came up with the size of a leftover Oak, and the end result is about the right size for 3 to 6 knives.

Step 1: Assembling the box

The hardest part is gluing the box. I may look simple, but it's difficult to glue 5 pieces together, maintaining right angles everywhere. So I decided to help you with some step-by-step tips:

1. Place one side on a flat surface
2. Paste the bottom on top: Align the bottom and one corner (in my images I aligned the bottom right corner)
3. Plue an extra side on the opposite corner (so I added a side on the left)
4. Apply clamps and some weights (I often use books)
5. Glue the remaining sides, one by one.
6. Finish by applying a little glue to all the inside joints with your finger.

Note: Ideally, the side will protrude a little on all four sides. It's okay (better than being too small). This excess will be removed in the next step.

Observation 2: It is important to take your time, take one part at a time and let it dry enough. So patience is your friend here!

To keep all the panels exactly square, this might help

Step 2: Trim the sides of the box

On each side, the side panels will protrude a little.
This could be removed by sanding it, but I always use a Router for this.
You need a straight drill bit with a ball bearing. This will trim the panels so they are exactly flush with the adjacent sides.

You can also do this with a sander, but it will take longer and won't be as precise.

Step 3: Sanding the box

Now use a sander to finish the box: it should end up nice and square, and all the panels should be clean and smooth. I usually start with the belt sander, using 80 grit,
Then I finish with the orbital sander, using a 120 or 180 grit.

Important Tip: When using the belt sander, keep the direction of the belt more or less parallel to the grain of the wood. If you sand it along the grain, you will get visible scratches that are harder to remove. Always keep your belt sander moving over the piece, never let it rest in one position. If you hold it still, it can leave a groove that is again difficult to remove.

Step 4: Trim the bamboo skewers

In my case, the bamboo skewers were 25 cm, but they still varied a bit in length. A small variation is not a problem, but I still decided to adjust the ones that stuck out too much.

This is how I did it:

• Cut a piece of wood that fits in the box.
• Then place the skewers, point side down.
• Due to the extra piece of wood, the sticks will stick out, and the longer ones will stick out more.

Use the belt sander to carefully trim them so they are more uniform.

Note: Dust will fall into the box, so be careful when removing the bars as some dust will fall from the saw. Remove the temporary piece of wood at the bottom of the box. If it is difficult to remove, install a screw to remove it.

Step 5: Surface finish of the box

Grease the box, or use any other finish you like.

After applying the oil, I added 4 felt pads to the bottom, so as not to scratch any surfaces, then placed the knife block.

Step 6: Add the bamboo skewers

Finally add the bamboo skewers. Make sure they all fit very parallel to the length of the box.

Admire your result, and if you are proud. Greetings!

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