Blade Guard for Milk Street Ulu and Noko Knives

How Specialty Knife Shapes Change the Right Protection

By Kevin Cody | Founder & CEO, FLI Products / Mary Joan Isorena, Communications
Published: 09/18/2026

Specialty knives need protection that matches their shape. FLI Products developed Blade Guard™ solutions for Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street that pair with two distinctive kitchen tools: the wide, curved Ulu Knife and the Noko Offset Serrated Knife. One specialty cover can also accommodate Milk Street’s Bench Scraper, while the other protects the Noko’s curved, dual-serrated blade.

These pairings demonstrate an important lesson in knife storage: blade length alone does not determine the right protection. Blade shape, width, edge design and intended use matter, too.

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Key Takeaways

• FLI Products developed a special private-label cover for Milk Street’s Ulu Knife that can also be used with Milk Street’s Bench Scraper.

• Milk Street currently sells that product as the Milk Street Specialty Knife Sheath, a handmade leather cover specifically designed for its Limited Edition Ulu Knife or Bench Scraper.

• Milk Street’s Ulu uses a broad, curved profile that is fundamentally different from a conventional straight chef’s knife.

• The Milk Street Noko Offset Serrated Knife has an 8-inch curved blade, offset handle and double-sided serrations.

• Milk Street sells an  8-Inch Noko Knife Protector by Blade Guard, made from polypropylene with a hinged design and four interior rubber bumpers.

• The Noko Blade Guard is currently offered by Milk Street in Clear and Black.

• The broader Blade Guard 8-Inch product is made in the USA from BPA-free, food-safe polypropylene and is dishwasher safe.

Why Specialty Blades Need Specialty Protection

A traditional chef’s knife typically has a relatively familiar profile: a long blade extending forward from the handle with a cutting edge below.

Specialty kitchen tools can look very different.

An Ulu has a broad, curved cutting edge designed around a rocking motion. A bench scraper has a wide, straight metal edge. The Noko Offset Serrated Knife combines an elevated handle with a curved blade and serrations on both sides.

Those differences affect more than how the tools perform during food preparation. They also affect how they should be stored.

A protector needs to accommodate the actual blade rather than simply matching a number printed on a package.

That is what makes FLI Products’ work with Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street an interesting example of product-specific blade protection.

The Milk Street Limited Edition Ulu Knife: A Very Different Blade Shape

The Milk Street Limited Edition Ulu Knife immediately stands apart from a conventional kitchen knife.

Its broad, curved blade is designed to rock across the cutting board. Milk Street describes uses including chopping nuts and chocolate, mincing herbs and slicing vegetables. The broad blade can also be used to scoop and transfer prepared ingredients.

That versatility is part of the Ulu’s appeal—but its shape also presents a different storage problem.

A long, narrow knife protector designed around a conventional chef’s knife is not necessarily the logical solution for such a wide, curved tool.

FLI Products therefore developed a specialty private-label cover for Milk Street around this unusual profile.

One Specialty Cover for the Ulu Knife and Bench Scraper

Milk Street currently sells the cover as the Milk Street Specialty Knife Sheath.

It was specifically designed to fit either Milk Street’s Limited Edition Ulu Knife or Bench Scraper, giving the same specialty cover two related applications.

The handmade sheath is constructed from leather with a metal button snap. To use it, the Ulu or bench scraper is placed inside the sheath and the fastening strap is snapped closed.

Milk Street describes the leather enclosure as fitting snugly around the tool to help limit slippage while the edge is covered. The sheath is approximately 6.7 inches by 2 inches without the strap and is made in India.

This is an important distinction from FLI’s familiar hinged polypropylene Blade Guard products.

The specialty Ulu/Bench Scraper cover is a purpose-specific private-label solution, while the Noko protector discussed later in this article uses the hinged polypropylene Blade Guard construction.

The two products should not be confused simply because both solve blade-storage problems.

Why Does the Ulu Need a Different Kind of Cover?

Blade geometry matters.

An Ulu presents a broad, sweeping cutting edge rather than the narrow profile of a typical kitchen knife. When that edge is stored uncovered, it can come into contact with other objects in a drawer or storage area.

A properly fitted sheath creates a physical barrier around that edge.

Milk Street specifically positions its specialty sheath for storage and for situations where the blade needs to be taken on the road.

The same basic concept applies to the Bench Scraper. Although it serves a different culinary purpose, its broad metal edge can be enclosed inside the same specially shaped sheath.

Instead of forcing two unusually shaped tools into conventional protectors, this design addresses their geometry directly.

From a Wide Ulu to a Curved Serrated Knife

Milk Street’s Noko Offset Serrated Knife creates a completely different protection challenge.

The Noko has an 8-inch blade and measures 14 inches overall. Milk Street identifies its blade as stainless steel and its handle as carbonized beech.

Its distinctive features include:

• an offset handle that raises the user’s hand above the cutting board;

• a stiff, curved blade;

• double-sided serrations;

• smooth sections at the tip and end of the blade; and

• an 8-inch blade designed to provide control while remaining long enough for bread and other foods.

Milk Street positions the Noko for more than bread. Its product information discusses using it for tomatoes, cakes, pastries, pies and other foods where its serrated slicing design is useful.

That unusual combination of curvature and serrations is also why protecting the blade between uses deserves some thought.

A Blade Guard™ Made to Accommodate the Noko

Milk Street sells the 8-Inch Noko Knife Protector by Blade Guard for its Noko Offset Serrated Knife.

Unlike the leather Ulu/Bench Scraper sheath, this protector uses a hinged polypropylene construction.

The knife is placed inside the open protector, and the Blade Guard closes around the blade.

Milk Street identifies a patented hinge design and four rubber bumpers inside the protector. When closed, those interior bumpers press against the blade to help limit movement and create a snug fit.

The result is a protector designed around a blade that is anything but conventional.

How the Noko Blade Guard Helps During Storage

A serrated knife deserves the same consideration during storage as a straight-edge knife.

When the Noko is properly fitted inside its Blade Guard, the cutting edge is enclosed rather than left exposed in a drawer, knife bag or other suitable storage area.

That separation serves two practical purposes.

It helps reduce direct contact between the knife edge and surrounding objects, and it creates a physical barrier between the covered cutting edge and someone reaching around the stored knife.

FLI describes its standard 8-Inch Blade Guard as a fully enclosed hinged protector with secure locking tabs and dual rubber stops. The product is made from BPA-free, food-safe polypropylene, is dishwasher safe and is Made in the USA.

These characteristics should not be interpreted as a guarantee against accidental injury. Responsible knife handling and appropriate storage remain necessary.

Four Interior Rubber Bumpers Help Limit Blade Movement

One particularly important feature of the Milk Street Noko protector is its four interior rubber bumpers.

Milk Street says the bumpers press against the blade when the protector is closed, helping limit slippage and maintain a snug fit.

That makes the Noko Blade Guard more than a loose sleeve placed over the cutting edge.

The hinged body encloses the blade, while the interior contact points help manage movement within the protector.

For a curved, serrated knife like the Noko, that combination provides protection designed around the actual blade rather than relying solely on friction at an open edge.

Clear or Black Noko Blade Guard?

Milk Street currently offers its Noko Knife Protector by Blade Guard in Clear and Black.

The broader FLI Products Blade Guard 8-Inch assortment includes additional colors, but Milk Street’s current Noko protector listing specifically offers these two options.

For the Clear/Transparent FLI Blade Guard, the frosted/translucent construction allows the enclosed knife to remain visible while the guard is closed.

The Black version provides an opaque alternative.

Color is ultimately secondary to proper fit. The knife must sit correctly inside the protector and the guard must close as intended.

Can the Noko Blade Guard Protect Other 8-Inch Knives?

Potentially—but 8 inches should not be interpreted as universal compatibility.

Milk Street says its Noko protector also fits most 8-inch chef’s knives.

FLI’s broader 8-Inch Blade Guard is designed for compatible chef’s knives, santoku knives and blades up to 8 inches.

However, two knives with the same nominal blade length can have very different profiles.

Compatibility can also depend on:

• blade width;

• blade thickness;

• heel shape;

• curvature;

• handle-to-blade transition; and

• overall blade geometry.

FLI has not published a universal maximum blade-thickness specification for the 8-Inch Blade Guard.

That is why the actual knife should always be considered when evaluating fit.

Two Specialty Knives, Two Different Protection Solutions

The Ulu and Noko demonstrate exactly why specialty knife protection cannot always be reduced to one universal design.

The Ulu/Bench Scraper sheath specifications come directly from Milk Street’s current specialty sheath listing. The Noko protector information comes from Milk Street’s current Blade Guard listing.

The products look and function differently because the tools they protect are different.

That is the point.

What These Milk Street Pairings Teach Us About Knife Protection

The best knife protector is not simply the longest one that will cover a blade.

Start by looking at the knife itself.

Blade Length

The entire cutting edge should fit properly within the protector.

Blade Width

A wide blade may require substantially more interior space than a narrow knife of the same length.

Blade Thickness

The protector needs to close correctly around the actual blade. It should not be forced.

Blade Shape

Straight, curved, serrated, offset and unusually broad blades present different fit considerations.

Heel Geometry

The shape of the blade near the handle can affect how the knife sits inside a protector.

Storage and Transport

A blade protector covers the knife blade. When a knife is transported, the protected knife should still be placed and secured appropriately within a suitable knife bag, roll, case or other transport system.

The Milk Street Ulu and Noko make these differences particularly easy to see.

Protecting the Knife Edge Between Uses

Good knives are tools intended to perform repeatedly.

Storage should therefore be considered part of basic knife care.

When an uncovered knife is stored alongside other kitchen tools, its edge can come into direct contact with surrounding objects. Enclosing a compatible blade helps reduce that contact.

FLI does not claim that Blade Guard will keep a knife sharp for a specific amount of time or produce a quantified increase in blade life. Instead, the practical benefit is straightforward: covering the blade helps separate the cutting edge from surrounding objects during storage and transport.

That distinction matters.

A protector complements proper knife care. It does not replace sharpening, careful handling or appropriate storage practices.

Specialty Protection Beyond the Kitchen Drawer

The Milk Street product pages also position both solutions for situations where a blade needs to travel.

Milk Street describes the Ulu/Bench Scraper sheath as useful when taking a blade on the road, and it similarly identifies the Noko Blade Guard as useful for transporting the knife.

For FLI’s broader Blade Guard line, documented applications include knife rolls and bags as well as appropriate travel, outdoor cooking, camping, RV, boating and fishing environments.

A distinction is important here:

Blade Guard protects the compatible blade; it is not itself a complete travel case.

For transport, the protected knife should still be secured appropriately inside a suitable bag, roll, case or other container.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Milk Street Noko Knife Protector?

The 8-Inch Noko Knife Protector by Blade Guard is a hinged polypropylene protector sold by Milk Street for its Noko Offset Serrated Knife. Milk Street identifies a patented hinge design and four rubber bumpers inside the protector.

What makes the Milk Street Noko Knife unusual?

The Noko has an 8-inch stiff, curved blade, an offset handle and double-sided serrations. Smooth sections at the tip and end complement the serrated cutting section.

What colors does Milk Street offer for the Noko Blade Guard?

Milk Street currently lists the Noko protector in Clear and Black.

Can the Noko Blade Guard fit other chef’s knives?

Milk Street says the protector fits most 8-inch chef’s knives in addition to the Noko. Because knife width, thickness, heel shape and overall geometry vary, compatibility should still be checked with the individual knife.

Is the Noko Blade Guard dishwasher safe?

Yes. Milk Street identifies the Noko protector as dishwasher safe. FLI also identifies its Blade Guard 8-Inch as dishwasher safe.

Is Blade Guard made in the USA?

Yes. FLI identifies its Blade Guard 8-Inch as Made in the USA.

What is the Milk Street Ulu Knife cover?

FLI Products developed the specialty private-label cover for Milk Street. Milk Street currently sells the product as the Milk Street Specialty Knife Sheath, designed specifically for its Limited Edition Ulu Knife or Bench Scraper.

Can the same specialty sheath fit the Milk Street Bench Scraper?

Yes. Milk Street specifically states that the specialty leather sheath is designed for either its Limited Edition Ulu Knife or Bench Scraper.

Is the Ulu sheath the same as the polypropylene Noko Blade Guard?

No. The Milk Street Specialty Knife Sheath is handmade from leather and closes with a fastening strap and metal button snap. The Noko protector is a hinged polypropylene Blade Guard with four interior rubber bumpers.

Can I choose a Blade Guard based only on blade length?

No. Blade length is an important starting point, but width, thickness, heel shape and overall geometry can also affect compatibility. FLI has not published a universal maximum blade-thickness specification for the 8-Inch Blade Guard.

Does using a Blade Guard guarantee that I cannot accidentally cut myself?

No. Covering a compatible blade helps reduce accidental contact with an exposed cutting edge during storage and transport, but careful knife handling and responsible storage remain necessary.

Will a Blade Guard keep my knife sharp for a specific amount of time?

FLI has not established a quantified increase in blade life. Covering a compatible blade helps reduce direct contact with surrounding objects that can contribute to nicks, chips and dulling.

Does a Blade Guard replace a knife roll or travel case?

No. Blade Guard covers a compatible blade. During transport, the protected knife should still be secured appropriately inside a suitable knife bag, roll, case or other container.

Different Blades Deserve the Right Protection

Milk Street’s Ulu and Noko could hardly look more different.

One uses a broad, sweeping cutting edge designed for a rocking motion. The other combines an offset handle with a curved 8-inch blade and double-sided serrations.

Their protective solutions are different for the same reason.

FLI Products’ specialty private-label sheath gives Milk Street a cover that accommodates its distinctive Ulu Knife as well as its Bench Scraper. The Noko Knife Protector by Blade Guard uses a hinged polypropylene design with four interior rubber contact points to accommodate the Noko’s unusual blade.

Together, the products demonstrate a simple principle:

Choose blade protection based on the tool you actually use—not simply the number printed beside its blade length.

Explore Blade Guard™

Blade Guard knife protectors are available in multiple sizes for compatible kitchen knives, with options designed for storage, knife bags and appropriate transport applications.

Explore Blade Guard

About Kevin Cody

Kevin Cody | Founder & CEO, FLI Products

Kevin Cody is the Founder and CEO of FLI Products and a product development, merchandising and retail industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience. His background includes merchandising leadership at The Home Depot as well as developing, sourcing, manufacturing, marketing and bringing consumer products to market through major retailers and online marketplaces.

Kevin works directly with manufacturers, inventors, retailers and consumers to develop practical products that solve everyday problems. His experience spans product design and development, retail merchandising, manufacturing, e-commerce, marketplace strategy and consumer product education.

Through the FLI Products Learning Center, Kevin shares practical, experience-based information designed to help consumers better understand products, solve problems and make informed purchasing decisions.

Read Full Bio

About FLI Products

FLI Products develops and markets practical consumer products designed to solve everyday problems at home, outdoors and on the job. Working directly with manufacturers, inventors and retailers, FLI Products focuses on thoughtful product design, practical functionality and useful solutions for consumers. Its products are available through FLIProducts.com and select major retailers and online marketplaces.

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Sources & References

Milk Street Specialty Knife Sheath
Source for Ulu Knife and Bench Scraper compatibility, handmade leather construction, metal snap closure, dimensions, origin, care and storage/transport positioning.

Milk Street Noko Offset Serrated Knife
Source for the 8-inch blade, 14-inch overall length, offset handle, curved blade, double-sided serrations, materials and documented culinary uses.

 8-Inch Noko Knife Protector by Blade Guard
 Source for the Noko-specific Blade Guard, polypropylene construction, patented hinge design, four rubber bumpers, Clear and Black options, dishwasher-safe care and stated compatibility with most 8-inch chef’s knives.

FLI Products — Blade Guard™ 8-Inch Locking Knife Blade Edge Protector
Source for the broader Blade Guard 8-Inch specifications, including BPA-free food-safe polypropylene, fully enclosed hinged construction, locking tabs, dual rubber stops, dishwasher-safe care, Made in USA origin and current FLI color assortment.

FLI Products — How to Choose the Blade Guard™ 8-Inch for Chef’s, Santoku & Carving Knives
Source for established FLI compatibility guidance, documented storage/transport applications, visibility, one-knife-per-guard guidance and the limits of FLI’s published fit and blade-life claims.

More Blade Guard Resources: Blade Guard Hub | Shop All Blade Guard