Amazon ran this block about two weeks ago for $3.99 plus super saver shipping. Notwithstanding the so-called retail price of $49, I was not expecting much, and I wasn't disappointed. Here is the information that Amazon should have put on their product page:
1. The dimensions are 13" long x 7 7/8" wide x 1 ˝" high. This makes for a smallish cutting board, suitable mostly for preparing salads.
2. Not only does the top slide, it is firmly held on by magnets imbedded into the wood.
3. The wood appears to be some type of pine, very knotty, and unfinished. It is not brown like shown in Amazon's picture. Also, they used green wood in places, and the top portion has whitish, chalky portions. The board was made in China and it shows. For these reasons, the piece does not present well, and my opinion is that this piece is not giftable.
4. Regarding the three interior slots for storing knives, the smallest one will not accommodate a standard 3 ˝" paring knife. I have two small paring knives, Henkel and Anolon, and neither will fit. This space must be custom made to one of Puck's knives. It will hold a small salad fork, tines down. Similarly, the other two slots will not fit any of my chef's knives. It is possible, however, to store one of my small paring knives and one 7 ˝" paring knife in these spaces. Again, these slots must have been customized for Puck's knives only.
So, this item is worth the $3.99 I paid for it, but if you pay the current $11 additional for shipping cost, you will be disappointed because of the overall quality and unless you already have Puck's knives.
