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Created 10/29/06

Cutco blocks are perhaps the most mislabeled Cutco item on eBay.  Many seller resell old blocks found in garage sales and call them all ...CUTCO BUTCHER BLOCK.  Cutco has never made a block by this name.  In this guide, I will describe each block and its correct name.

Most of Cutco's blocks come in a basic model and a plus model. Plus models are built differently and have a ledge that holds between 4 to 12 Table Knives.  It is very hard to find a plus model that has the extra slots aligned just the way they look in the Cutco catalogues.  I have sent back as many as four blocks at one time having to add photographs to illustrate really gross misalignments.

Lets start with the two Table Knives blocks.

Table Knife Set Block either holds 6 or 8 pieces..

These mini blocks are easy to identify.  The slots are horizonal rather than vertical.  If you own a basic block, buy one of these on eBay for $15 to $25.  If I had a family or did a lot of entertaining, these min block are much more practical than the plus model and alignment problems I have not seen.  Move that mini block around the kitchen from table, back to sink, pop the Table Knives in to dry and relocate to nearby counter area or move to the dining table for a festive gathering.  Compact size adds to its easy mobility.

Studio and Studio Plus 4.

This is Cutco's intro block and knives set.  It will hold a Paring Knife, Trimmer, Spatula Spreader, and Petite Carver.

Essential and Essential Plus 5.

This block is same size as the studio, but has different slots for the Kitchen Knives and a center hole.  That hole will hold a Turning Fork, and slots hold the Paring Knife, Spatula Spreader, Petite Carver, and Petite Chef.  It is possible to pop in a Trimmer to share the slot with the Petite Chef.  Tight fit, but it does work. Here, you get the mini carving set with Petite Carver and Turning Fork. Also, many owners prefer the Petite Chef over the full size French Chef which will not fit.

All of the above blocks can fit into a flat rate Priority Mail shipping box square type if you want it fast and actual rate is under $10.

Space Saver Block.

This next block is unusual compared to the squarish blocks it is rectangular and slim. No room for Table Knives. These block found on eBay, beware it should have a plate installed on the bottom. It is free and easy to install yourself if you have one and just call Cutco and they will rush a kit right out. A law suit was brought up as a woman placed the wrong knife in a slot and while carry across the kitchen it feel through and penetrated a body part perhaps foot.

These set holds a Paring Knife, a 4 inch Paring Knife, Trimmer, Petite Carver, and Petite Chef.

Galley and Galley plus 6.

This is a break down from the Homemaker block.  If you do not plan to prepare large meats like ham or turkey, then you probably do not need the large carving set. You get the Paring Knife, Trimmer, Spatula Spreader, Petite Chef, (or French Chef), Petite Carver,  Slicer (Bread Knife), and Turning Fork (3 pointy prongs).

Homemaker and plus 8.

This block is what a home economist back in the late 1940's decided was the basic knives that a house wife would need to cover any domestic situation. It has all of the knives found in the Galley, but also add an extra hole for a Carving Fork and two addition knives a Butcher and Carver.

Gourmet

This block is a basic model only. It is a nice addition to any of the upper blocks and now in 2006 holds the Clever, Hardy Slicer, Vegetable Knife, Boning Knife, and Santoku or Petite Santoku.  Prior to the Santoku was your choice of French Chef or Petite Chef.

The Galley, Homemaker, and Gourmet blocks all have the same dimensions, but with different cuts. These are heavy large blocks around 6 lbs. each. 

Ultimate Set Block and plus 12

This is a fairly new block and I rarely is ever have seen it mislabeled. It should hold any knife that Cutco has made for the 17xx and higher series, but as they add new knives, I am not aware of additional slots added.  Really not sure why anyone would need and use of of these 36 plus kitchen knives, but one friend said her adult children would. You need a fair amount of counter space too and forget about moving it around.  The block alone should weight in at around 12 lbs. Very impressive and sure looks sharp in pricey neighborhoods.

All Cutco blocks have a hard clear coating that will prevent blood and moisture from being absorbed into the solid oak. This coating will fade if expose to stream over and over. That is covered by Cutco's Forever Guarantee as well as blocks that have smoke odors from non smoke free homes. Cutco asks that you not allow the knives to air dry inside the block except on occasions.  Since around 1998, I will have to recheck that date, Cutco has added a guard under each block. Older blocks are replaced free if you want that guard or they may add one to yours. Guards protect your counter top if wrong knife is placed in short slot and the tips are not hitting hard surfaces like a granite top.