project archives

Issue 23
The Outdoors Issue
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Blade Runner

Stash your knives in bamboo

by Sherif Shalaby

Dear Al,
I just graduated from culinary school and received a beautiful set of professional knives as a gift. After searching for a unique block in which to store them, I fell in love with Martin Robitsch’s bamboo holder. Can you re-create something similar for me? My Wüsthofs will thank you for it!
Gratefully yours,
Liz Rice

Dear Liz,
I am always ready and willing to help out a fellow foodie. I also love Robitsch’s simple bamboo holder, and I came up with a way to assemble it using a commonplace two-liter bottle. It will only take about 10 minutes and doesn’t require any hardcore tools.
Good chopping to you,
Al

$10

ingredients

  • Clear two-liter plastic bottle
  • 350 12” bamboo skewers
  • 2 cups salt, sugar, or sand

tools

  • Utility knife
  • Ruler

MAKE IT

  1. Drink the liquid in a two-liter bottle or take one from the recycling bin (make sure it’s clean and dry).

  2. Remove the bottle’s label.

  3. Using the utility knife, cut off the top of the bottle of so that it now measures 10 1/2” tall.

  4. Fill the bottle’s bottom with about two cups of salt, sugar, or sand.

  5. Start packing the bamboo skewers (sharp ends down) until the bottle is full and tight.

  6. Gently stab your finest chef’s knives into the bamboo.