J.K. Adams: A 2nd-Generation, Family-Owned Company
Kitchen storage solutions by J.K. Adams make it easy to save on valuable kitchen space while enjoying the best of USA-made craftsmanship. The family-owned company provides everything from pot hooks and spice bottles to wooden spice carousels, kitchen-knife blocks, bread boxes, wine racks, pot racks, and more. J.K. Adams' wooden kitchen items feature renewable and sustainable wood in Maple, Cherry, Walnut, Alder, Ash, or Hickory varieties, and many of the items are FSC certified. A thoughtful choice for gift giving, the high-quality kitchen items provide sleek designs and convenient functionality for year after year of everyday convenience.
Innovative Kitchen-Storage Solutions
In the late-1970's, when the gourmet-chef-tools market in the U.S. was still in its infancy, J.K. Adams owner Malcolm Cooper, Sr. conceived of the first slanted knife block. His goal was to create a cutlery organizer that would hold knives at a low enough angle that they could be easily removed from the block when it was pushed back under a cabinet overhang. The J.K. Adams Kangaroo knife block was launched in 1980--the first-ever slanted knife block, and still the best.
Recognizing the many opportunities to improve kitchen storage, J.K. Adams introduced the revolving "carousel" spice rack in 1982 followed by countless other well-designed storage products in the years since, including the popular in-drawer knife tray in 1994, a space-saving alternative to the knife block that offers the same safety and blade protection.
In 2011, J.K. Adams takes cutlery storage to a new level once again with the new Universal knife block. For over 30 years, J.K. Adams has continued to lead and inspire the kitchen storage market with their innovative designs, superior hardwoods, and exemplary craftsmanship.
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| Today, J.K. Adams continues to provide innovative designs, superior hardwoods, and high-quality craftsmanship. |
J.K. Adams: Over 65 Years of New England Yankee Craftsmanship
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Some of the world's finest woodworkers can be found in New England. The rich heritage and folk lure of the great Yankee Woodworker is as well known today as it was hundreds of years ago, and the craft has been handed down through the generations. J.K. Adams' success is certainly attributable to the early Vermonters employed by the company while in its infancy who brought forth the techniques and quality craftsmanship that could only come from generations of shared knowledge and experience.
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The J.K. Adams factory has been at the same location since the beginning. As many as three generations of families have relied on J.K. Adams to provide for their families. Located in a rural area of Vermont, J.K. Adams remains one of the largest employers in the area and is an important pillar of support for the local community.
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J.K. Adams has always used the creativity and skill of their workforce in developing new products, and today J.K. Adams continues its New England craftsmanship with a wide variety of cutting boards, as well as wooden salad bowls, kitchen islands, and slate serving trays. And at the J.K. Adams factory, you'll find future generations of woodworkers building upon the traditions begun over 65 years ago.
Cutting boards and other products by J.K Adams are made in the USA.
About J.K. Adams' Logo
In colonial New England, three strokes of a broad ax were used to mark the finest trees in the forest for the Queens' Navy shipmasts. The broad arrow was adopted as our logo because it symbolizes the exceptional quality of wood that goes into our products.
J.K. Adams' first product--the Speedy Racer. View larger.
J.K. Adams' Company History
- Started over 65 years ago in a small garage in Dorset, Vermont
- Cooper family purchased business from founder Josiah K. Adams in 1949
- Began with the Speedy Racer toy, and then followed by manufacturing drafting and surveying tables, Kiwi shoe groomers, gifts, and furniture
- Now the leading supplier of wooden storage and food preparation products for the specialty housewares industry
Our Wood
- Maple, Cherry, Walnut, Alder, Ash, and Hickory
- Either from New England or other North American sources
- Renewable and sustainable
- Hard and durable, yet forgiving to knife edges
Wood Grains
End Grain
- Prized for look and longest wear
- Identifiable by small pieces put together
- Board usually thick and heavy
- Many pieces, lots of glue joints, cracking can be a problem
Edge Grain
- Most common in cutting boards
- Moderate grain pattern
- Stable with minimum glue joints
Environmental Responsibilities
- We only purchase lumber from a select few suppliers who we are confident practice sustainable forestry practices
- Vermont forests are growing faster than they are being harvested
- J.K. Adams has been awarded the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence
- In 2009 J.K. Adams became the first manufacturer of our type of products to become FSC certified
- To this day we remain the only manufacturer who has met the stringent standards of the FSC certification process
- The Forest Stewardship Council is the main authority in Europe and the U.S. that oversees forest stewardship
- The term "green" is unregulated and is often used to mislead
- The FSC brings credibility to "green" which is why so few companies are certified and can pass the auditing and certification process
Why Choose a Wood Cutting Board?
Wood is naturally anti-bacterial, and any bacteria left on the board will actually lessen in time versus multiplying on a plastic cutting board. A wooden board will also be more gentle on your knife's edge, and it just feels and sounds better under a knife.
Caring for Your J.K. Adams Cutting Board
Wash by hand in warm soapy water and dry thoroughly, and oil frequently with mineral oil to help give it an optimal appearance. Do not soak, microwave, freeze, or put in the dishwasher. For removing stains, you can use a weak bleach-and-water solution or a combination of lemon juice and salt. Be sure to rinse and wipe with mineral oil afterward. Additionally, the surface can be sanded to make the board look like new--although a board with wear will add character to your kitchen. For storage, keep the board away from strong sunlight as avoiding UV rays will reduce the risk of fading.
