Make your own knife rack

Strong wall mount for knives, so quality knives don't rub against each other

Submitted by: Marc Rieger, Donzdorf, Germany

Online since: 16/02/2009

Table of Contents

DIY magnetic knife rack with 5 attached knives

I used super magnets to make a magnetic wooden rack (33 cm long, 25 mm wide, 25 mm thick) for my good kitchen knives.

I drilled 10 holes of 20 mm diameter and about 20 mm depth in the back of the rack (the deeper the hole the better the adhesive force of the magnets).

Then I glued 10 disc magnets S-20-10-N in the holes.

Home-made knife rack, perfect for displaying a knife collection

I mounted the rack on the kitchen wall with screws and, only then, did I attach the knives!

Each knife is held by two magnets. That works great and the knives won't get dull as they would in a drawer, where they rub against each other! Furthermore, the home-made knife rack is also perfect for displaying the knives.

Note from the supermagnete team:

To avoid accidents, always use strong magnets with a very high adhesive force when mounting sharp objects.
Another interesting project is the Designer knife block.

Magnetic knife rack made from burr wood

Addition by Daniel S.:

This exceptional customer project from our client combines rustic natural beauty with modern functionality.

Two unique magnetic knife holders were crafted from a very old slab of burr wood, displaying high-end kitchen knives as if they were floating on the wall. The combination of exquisite natural wood, precise craftsmanship and extremely strong rod magnets creates a striking contrast between traditional materials and modern magnetic technology.

A slice from a tree trunk lies on a wooden table.

Selection and cutting of the burr wood

The foundation for this project was an old, solid burr wood slab with a particularly striking and vibrant grain. The wood stands out with its natural knots, colour gradients and unique patterns.

Two pieces, each approximately 40 cm long, were cut from this slab. Even in their raw state, it was evident that each piece had its own distinct character.

Two cut, untreated wooden boards with grain pattern lie side by side on a workshop surface.

Sanding and finishing

After being cut to size, the two pieces of wood were carefully sanded and finished. Several rounds of sanding really brought out the stunning grain patterns and warm tones of the wood. Afterwards, the wood was treated with oil, which further accentuated its natural patterns. This not only gave the surface an elegant sheen, but also provided protection and enhanced durability.

Two treated wooden boards with grain pattern lie on a table, two rod magnets protrude from the wood.

Integration of strong rod magnets

In the next step, two extremely strong rod magnets, type S-08-30-N, were integrated into each piece of wood. The positioning of the magnets was precisely planned to ensure that the knives would be held securely and, at the same time, look perfect on the knife rack. Visually, the magnets blend almost seamlessly into the wood, creating an especially elegant effect. Thanks to the strong magnetic force, even heavy, high-end kitchen knives firmly adhere to the surface of the knife rack.

The two knife racks were mounted on a wall.

Wall mounting

Upon completion, the two knife racks were mounted on the wall. Thanks to the natural shape of the burr wood, each piece looks like a decorative work of art. The built-in rod magnets hold the knives almost invisibly in place, creating the illusion that they are floating freely in front of the wood.

Two large knives were attached to the finished knife racks and put on display.

The end result

The finished product is striking thanks to the extraordinary contrast between the natural burr wood and the high-quality steel. The concealed rod magnets make the knives appear almost weightless, as if they were floating. The intense grain of the wood, in particular, gives each knife rack an exclusive and unique character. The result is not only a practical storage solution for kitchen knives, but also a decorative design piece with the authentic look of true craftsmanship.

This project impressively demonstrates how modern magnetic technology and traditional natural materials can be combined to create a unique end product.