Kapoosh Knife Holder, Woodgrain Finish
by Kapoosh
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Our Price: $39.95
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Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: KapooshBrand: Kapoosh
Model: 650
Color: Woodgrain
Product features:
- Storage for knives with no slots
- Hardwood Construction
- Single Compartment
- Easy, safe, convenient
- Safe to use in dishwasher
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Kapoosh Knife Holder, Woodgrain Finish
Customer Review: Returned It
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this partially as an impulse purchase when replacing some everyday table knives at a local Target. I am a fan of innovative and useful product design. Like many others I've found traditional wood knife blocks kind of limiting when you have a variety of knives from different brands, or more than one of a kind. The versatility this product promised seemed to be a big advance, but in reality, it isn't ready for prime time.
Before taking it out of the box, I Googled for more info and found Amazon reviews. To my surprise Amazon even offered stainless steel models not available at my local Target. You just have to love Amazon for the depth and breadth of their inventory, but I digress.
Most of the Kapoosh reviews seemed to be positive, so I promptly washed it for use. Since the packaging is open on top and encourages shoppers to "Try me!" there was no way I was going to use it right out of the box as the enclosed booklet states. There is no telling what made its way into the rods. Keep in mind that this is supposed to be dishwasher-safe, but something I immediately overlooked was that it's for the top rack only. I have a new deep-tub, dishwasher with adjustable top rack, but it barely fit, and only at the edge of the rack where the rotating arm didn't hit it.
Then there was the drying! The drying cycle didn't make much of a dent. While it felt dry on top and on the edges, I had a strong feeling there was a lot of moisture left between the rod. I took the rod unit and forcefully shook a lot of water out, then placed it upside down on a towel to let it air dry. It took about a week before the rods were dry deep down towards the base and in the center, and I live in the Mojave desert! Had I placed my good knives in there straight from the dishwasher, they'd have been a rusted mess. Despite this major complaint, I would have lived with the washing/drying chore had it worked as well as I had hoped.
First off, as is illustrated in the product photo, some knives will not seat deep enough to completely cover the blade. I thought this was just to illustrate the type of blade in use, but in reality long blades will stick out. I don't have any other knife blocks that this happens with. Having a pre-teen in the house who likes to cook, this is a no-go. I'll hazard a guess that this is a product liability law suit in the making. I also noticed the same thing with a much shorter and wider cleaver. I guess it displaces too many rods to fully recess.
I pulled the rod unit out of the block to see what was going on, and I noticed some of the rods had already begun to bend and fold down. This was also the first time I used the cleaver in it. I also have some steak knives with a partially serrated edge that wouldn't slide in easily. I believe had I continued to use it, the serrations would have begun to saw away at the rods.
Lastly, the wood block used to surround the rods is essentially hollow. It is completely open on the bottom, as is the angled piece at the front of the block. It all appears to be held together with glue rather than an interlocking join like a mortise and tenon or dovetail. With the rods inside, the unit has a substantial heft, but take them out and it feels rather insubstantial. Long term durability would probably be an issue.
I hate to be so long-winded in my review, but after reading several others, both pro and con, I was really torn. After trying it out for a short while, I felt compelled to weigh in. I really like the concept. I really wanted to like this product and considered giving them as gifts to family (including a professional chef) and friends (newlyweds.) Maybe it will work for some others with a set of smaller knives, but even with my modest set, it just wouldn't do the job. I took mine back for a refund, and am glad I didn't make any gift purchases.
I think if the designer worked to improve the product, version 2.0 might actually be worth getting.
Some suggestions:
Increase the depth of the rods so that longer blades recess fully.
Decrease the density of the rods to allow for items like cleavers to be inserted without packing down the rods. If this would cause the knives to slide downward, I'd orient them horizontally. Alternatively, some method to allow for the rods to shift and adjust within the base would help.
Maybe replace the rods with self sealing foam or a design it with a user configurable insert. I don't need to find a new location every time I insert a knife, I just need a block with slots that fit the knives I have.
Beef up the construction of the block.
Description of Kapoosh Knife Holder, Woodgrain Finish
Storage for knives with no slots / Dishwasher Safe / Hardwood Construction / Single Compartment / Easy, safe, convenientKnife Storage Items
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