Full disclosure: I collect kitchen knives the same. Rout the block to match the blade with a simple dishing jig. By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk

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Ulu Knife and Chopping Block Rout the block to match the blade with a simple dishing jig By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk Full disclosure: I collect kitchen

I'm a little surprised that my ulu has become my go-to knife for slicing and dicing.

Seal isn t a regular part of my daily diet, but I ve found that this curved blade excels at dicing vegetables and herbs, and trims meat as well as my

The handle s position above the blade provides a signi icant mechanical advantage when chopping hard vegetables and frozen foods.

1 Ulu Knife and Chopping Block Rout the block to match the blade with a simple dishing jig By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk Full disclosure: I collect kitchen knives the same way I do hand tools in my workshop. I bought the ulu knife kit because I was hooked by the shape of the blade. I'm a little surprised that my ulu has become my go-to knife for slicing and dicing. Designed by the Inuits, this little knife has been used for everything from skinning game, to haircuts, to trimming snow blocks for igloos. Seal isn t a regular part of my daily diet, but I ve found that this curved blade excels at dicing vegetables and herbs, and trims meat as well as my pricier chef s knife. The handle s position above the blade provides a signi icant mechanical advantage when chopping hard vegetables and frozen foods. To make full use of my new knife, I made a double-sided cutting board to match the blade. The concave face keeps inely-chopped ingredients from spilling over the countertop. The lat side serves for slicing meats and cheeses. The knife/block pair is a great excuse to raid your scrap bin. With help from a few simple jigs, you can make this combo in few hours. 28 woodcraftmagazine.com Oct/Nov 205

Different curves for blade and board To allow the knife to pivot, the diameter of the block s concavity is greater than the blade s arc. The 2"-dia.

8" 5 6" roundover 2 4" mortise square = " Half-sized pa ern; enlarge 200%. 8" CHOPPING BLOCK 2 8 8" Glue up strips to create oversize block, and then trim to size.

After layout, I drilled a series of holes, set my saw guide, and sawed out the waste. I then used a jigsaw blade to clean out the slot and work up to my line.

2" magnet Taking the plunge. Set shims under the guide and make two plunge cuts. A countersunk magnet keeps the blade from jumping off the guide.

2 Different curves for blade and board To allow the knife to pivot, the diameter of the block s concavity is greater than the blade s arc. The 2"-dia. routed dish works well with Woodcra s 4 2"-radius knife. HANDLE 2 5" Rout 8" roundover on top edge a er a aching blade. 8" roundover Round edges before routing bowl. 8" 5 6" roundover 2 4" mortise square = " Half-sized pa ern; enlarge 200%. 8" CHOPPING BLOCK 2 8 8" Glue up strips to create oversize block, and then trim to size. Saw-Simple Knife Instead of sandwiching the two tangs between matching wood scales, I plunge-cut the slots with a multi-tool and 8"-wide blade. After layout, I drilled a series of holes, set my saw guide, and sawed out the waste. I then used a jigsaw blade to clean out the slot and work up to my line. When the tangs it, glue them in place with epoxy. Temporarily mounting the exposed blade in a holder saves time (as possibly ingers) as you complete the knife. 2" magnet Taking the plunge. Set shims under the guide and make two plunge cuts. A countersunk magnet keeps the blade from jumping off the guide. Opening photo: Jim Osborn; Project photos: Ralph Lee Anderson; Illustrations: Trevor Johnston Rout this way. Clamp the blade between 4"-thick MDF shields to create a holder for routing the handle. Keep the scrap in place when sanding and finishing. Oct/Nov 205 woodcraftmagazine.com 29

Make a dishing jig to rout the block Turning the concavity might be faster, but this jig makes routing a perfectly-sized dish nearly foolproof. The turntable rotates on a 5 6"-dia.

Use double-stick tape or pin nails to af ix the block to the turntable. The short runners and notched platform allow the router to ride the curve more closely. Drill bit/ pivot point.

3 Make a dishing jig to rout the block Turning the concavity might be faster, but this jig makes routing a perfectly-sized dish nearly foolproof. The turntable rotates on a 5 6"-dia. dowel that's glued into the base. Attaching sandpaper to the turntable prevents the block from spinning should the bit catch the block. Use double-stick tape or pin nails to af ix the block to the turntable. The short runners and notched platform allow the router to ride the curve more closely. Drill bit/ pivot point. 9 2" 7" " 4" 6" Benchtop saver One jig makes another. Cutting the dishing jig's arced sides with a trammel ensures that the sides are smooth and symmetrical. Rout the arc in 4" increments. Tack the sides to a backer so that the parts don t shi at the end of the cut. STOP 4 4 6" RUNNER 8 4 2" File edge to clear side. Center bit above turntable before a aching stops. PLATFORM " SIDE 4 7 4" BASE " TURNTABLE 4 8 8" Doing the dishing. This jig creates a 7 4" 8"-deep cavity in 2" thick block. I used a bowl bit, but any roundnose bit will suffice. To control cha er, use a 2"-shank bit and set the speed to,000 RPM. To reach the very bo om of the dish, I set bit lower in the collet and finished up with super light passes. 0 woodcraftmagazine.com Oct/Nov 205

Routing in the round Rout the recess from the outside in.

platform until the bit's bottom edge makes contact. Rotate the turntable 60 before shifting the platform.

After routing, use the jig to hold the block while you clean up scallops left by the bit. Tilt and spin.

If the block starts spinning, disengage the bit by tilting the platform. Smooth it out.

4 Routing in the round Rout the recess from the outside in. To do this, position the platform so that the bit clears the block, adjust the bit for 8"-deep cut, and then pivot the platform until the bit's bottom edge makes contact. Rotate the turntable 60 before shifting the platform. To minimize cleanup, overlap your passes. After routing, use the jig to hold the block while you clean up scallops left by the bit. Tilt and spin. Aiming the router bit away directs chips away from you and keeps your fingers a safe distance from the bit. If the block starts spinning, disengage the bit by tilting the platform. Smooth it out. Use a curved scraper to shave off any high spots. A wedge-shaped block keeps the turntable from spinning. Sand then seal. A multitool equipped with a sanding pad, followed by a mop sander, quickly erase remaining tool marks. Finish-sand through 20 grit, and then seal with your favorite cutting board finish. Oct/Nov 205 woodcraftmagazine.com

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2. Roll disc against left-hand fence.

2. Roll disc against left-hand fence. TOP TIP Angled fence for routing discs Here s a router table fence that I devised to rout the edges of circular discs with bearing-less bits. Starting with a 3 4 12 21" piece of MDF, I used my framing