Shun DM0831 Cutlery 11-Slot, Made from Tough, Sustainable Bamboo, Authentic, Japanese Universal Block, Knife Holder for Kitchen Counter, Wood

I bought this block and some knives back in 2014. It is now October 2020. While it would have been nice to have at least 1 narrow slot for a small utility knife, the block has held up remarkably well and still looks like it did when I bought it. It holds some knives like the Shun vegetable knife and 8: Chef's knife perfectly as well as the hone (However, that's almost a given really). The design is great and I would buy another one should the need arise. I was asked by the manufacturer to change my rating after leaving my first review. And I refused since I felt it deserved the rating I gave it at the time due to being decent, but not quite perfect. And I don't like to be told what to do. haha. Anyway, after using it all these years, the last few times, I remembered this review and thought I should give an update after spending 6 years with the item. I have kept my original review below for those that care to read it as well. Original Review: I bought this block along with a few Shun knives and the hone. The block looks nice and is made well. But the slots are not the greatest sizes. I would like to add a small Shun pairing knife to this block and there are no slots that narrow. Other than that, it's OK.

Very solid knife block. Slots are wide enough to accommodate my chef, nakiri and santoku knives.

No slots for a Shun carving fork. Carving fork too thick for any of the slots.

My first impression was that this bamboo block is SOLID. It weighs 7 pounds (but feels like it weighs lot more). You are not getting a flimsy bamboo block. When you knock on this thing, it will hurt your knuckles. I use this block to store my kitchen scissors, 7.5 inch Shun Santoku knife, 4 inch Henckles paring knife, 10 inch Wustoff bread knife, and knife sharpening steel. This bamboo bamboo block will fit almost any kitchen knife. The main exception might be a giant cleaver (it will probably fit most medium sized cleavers). As far as length of the knives, my 10 inch Wustoff bread knife is about as long as kitchen knives get and it fits just fine. This also looks great in your kitchen. Why bamboo knife block? Bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial. My main concern with non-bamboo knife blocks was they may store germs. I have no such concerns with bamboo blocks. Pros: 1)Very solid construction and feel. 2)Naturally anti-bacterial. 3)Stores all but largest kitchen knives. 4)Looks great. Cons: 1)None I can think of.

Perfect for my needs, the slots are long enough for my bread knife and my long roast slicer, also wide enough for my wide chef knifes. Has a nice finish, is heavy, doesn't move around, and feels solid. Highly recommend, worth the money for a nice looking knife block that my knifes fit in.