Paul Kiarie created this unique, custom-made item based on a customer’s idea. What's your wish?
A request by Björn from Weinstadt, Germany
Knife block for the cutlery box you have already made (https://www.urbanchangelab.com/customizable-cutlery-tray-with-knife-block/).
405 mm x 120 mm x 105 mm
The Journey of Creating Custom Made Knife Block for Cutlery Box 405x120x105 mm
Negotiation & Planning
Hello Bjorn'
I hope you are well.
Could you kindly share a sketch with the exact dimensions that you would like the knife block to be including the height of the knife slots? This is to avoid any confusion during the building phase
Enclosed a sketch and again photos with measuring tape, I hope you get on with it.
Please note the dimensions more precisely this time and do not deviate, the height only by a few millimeters upwards.
Greetings Björn (Automatic translation)
Hello Bjorn,
Thank you for your sketch and photos; they are very helpful. To proceed, could you let me know your preference for the following?
1. How many slots would you like per level ? and if you also have a preference for the width of the slots that would be greatly appreciated.
2. Will the knife block base be 0.5cm thick?
Hello Paul, I'm fine,
I hope you can do something with the measurements. Also with the tape measure on the photos.
In principle, you need to take the upper one from the first one we had and narrow it by 5 mm on the outside, i.e. make it 12 cm wide instead of 13 cm and lengthen it from 14 to 17 cm.
And lengthen the lower one from 20 cm to 25 cm and add a wide skirt. Another base plate in full length, i.e. 408 mm, the other base plate then 170 mm and a cover 140 mm long at the top.
I forgot to draw something else in the sketch. The large knives need a shelf for the handles at the bottom. This is hopefully easy to see in the photos, although there is no base plate under the handles in the photos, but there is in the new knife block.
Greetings Björn (Automatic translation)
"Hello Bjorn,
Thanks for the detailed description. Just to clarify, for the lower-most level meant for the biggest knives, would you like it to extend beyond the measurements you've provided for the other levels?
I.e If the top most level is being extended from 14cm to 17cm and the middle level from 20cm to 25cm then what about the lower most level for the biggest knives?
Hello Paul, there are only 2 levels on the sketch. (Automatic translation)
Hello Bjorn
This is noted. How many slots would you like per level ?
Hi Paul, I thought it was clear 6 up and 5 down, please have a look at the photos. Once the 6 pieces and once the 5 pieces.
I also sent you the photos with a tape measure.
Greetings Björn (Automatic translation)
Hello Bjorn,
Thank you for your response. I am ready to proceed now.
Crafting Process
How to make a Custom Made Knife Block for Cutlery Box 405x120x105 mm – work in progress
Hello Bjorn
I hope you are well. Kindly bear with me as I await the necessary funds to start the project.
What resources do you need? (Automatic translation)
Hello Bjorn
I was able to get the materials needed to start...I have shared a photo of the wood I'll be using.
Hello Paul, I hope you are well?
What kind of wood did you get?
Greetings Björn (Automatic translation)
Hello Bjorn, I am well how about you?
I used cypress wood like previously.
I have attached photos of the knife block so far.
Hi Paul, please don't tell me it's finished and already glued.
The additional board, which serves as a shelf, is in the wrong place and seems a bit too flat to me. What are your measurements?
Greetings Björn (Automatic translation)
Hello Bjorn, I hope you are well.
The shelf is only loosely attached at the edge and can always be moved to the desired location. Would you also like the shelf to be more curved?
Hello Paul, what do you mean by curved?
What are its dimensions?
Can you please fix it in the right place.
The one I have as an alternative for storing the knives in the photo is this roll, also photographed with a tape measure.
Greetings Björn (Automatic translation)
Hello Bjorn
I have added the shelf to the position indicated in your photos...the piece sits at the mark between 5.5cm and 7.5cm from the edge and is 2.3cm high.
I reduced the size of the piece I had initially added but did not remove it completely.
This is because the 5mm base is quite thin and prone to splitting at the edge and requires something to hold it together.
Would you like me to round the edges of the piece to match the curve of the roll you used to hold up the knives?
Hello Paul,
that looks good already.
Nothing needs to be rounded off.
Just pay close attention to the dimensions so that it fits into the top drawer.
Greetings Björn (Automatic translation)
Hello Bjorn, I hope you are well.
I have made it to the dimensions as you incicated in the sketch.
Hi Paul, yes I'm fine. And how are you?
Do you have a photo for me please?
Greetings Björn (Automatic translation)
Hello Björn,
I am well how are you?
Here is the finished tray.
Hello Paul,
if the dimensions I specified have been adhered to, Vicky is welcome to check it.
Many thanks in advance
Greetings Björn (Automatic translation)
Hello Björn,
I hope you're doing well. I’ve completed the quality check for your custom knife block, and I’m happy to report that this time Paul followed the specifications closely, and the piece meets all the requirements—including 6 blade slots on the top level and 5 on the bottom. The measurements are as follows:
Overall dimensions: 400 mm x 120 mm x 100 mm
Top level: 170 mm (length) x 120 mm (width)
Lower level: 250 mm (length)
Base plate: 400 mm (length)
Cover plate: 140 mm (length)
Top blade slots height: 30 mm
Bottom blade slots height: 56 mm
The knife slots also hold standard knives securely without excessive movement. The block is also well-finished, with smooth, properly filed edges and no splinters. Please have a look at the photos I shared and let us know if everything looks good on your end so we can proceed with shipping.
Best regards,
Vicky
Hello Vicky,
I am disappointed. This is not a custom-made product that you are offering me here.
The fact that even the quality control department is waving it through is not okay.
For me, custom-made means made to measure, so read the texts correctly.
The base plate is 8 mm too short.
Greetings Björn (Automatic translation)
Dear Björn,
Thank you very much for your honest feedback, and I want to sincerely apologise for the mistake in my previous message. You're absolutely right — a custom-made product should meet every detail as specified, and I take full responsibility for the oversight.
At the time I did the quality check, I wasn’t feeling my best due to a brief illness, and unfortunately, that affected my attention to detail. That’s not an excuse, just a bit of context — ultimately, the responsibility is mine, and I’m truly sorry for the confusion caused.
After rechecking the knife block, I can confirm that the base plate is indeed 408 mm as originally specified. I’ve attached new photos showing the correct measurements for your reference.
Thank you again for pointing this out. I appreciate your patience and high standards, and I’ll take extra care to ensure nothing like this happens again. Please let me know if everything now looks in order so we can proceed.
Best regards,
Vicky
That makes me happy. (Automatic translation)
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON016272E-76086
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
15.58
|
| Cost of labour |
19.48
|
| Cost of packaging |
1.95
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
4.68
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
41.69
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
4.17
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
4.17
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to Germany* |
44.43
|
| VAT (Germany)* |
17.95
|
| Total |
112.41
|
*Shipping costs and VAT vary depending on your location.
Each price shown is based on a unique, custom request. Final prices may vary depending on materials, effort, and delivery location.
