Making a homemade magnetic knife block

We’re frequently contacted by customers looking to build their own homemade knife blocks or magnetic knife holders.

As every project is different, it can be difficult for our team to provide exact recommendations for each application. However, below are some important factors to consider when selecting the right magnet for your project:

Minimise the Air Gap
Any distance between the magnet and the knife surface will significantly reduce the magnetic holding strength. Many customers choose to recess magnets into the back of a timber block, however the thinner the material between the magnet and the knife, the stronger the hold will be.

Consider the Weight of Your Knives
Larger kitchen knives can be surprisingly heavy, so it’s important to choose magnets with sufficient holding power to safely support your heaviest knife.

Choosing the Right Magnet Type
We recommend reviewing our range of magnetic knife holders for an idea of standard construction methods. Ferrite blocks are commonly used because their larger size provides greater coverage across the knife block. However, Ferrite magnets are weaker than Neodymium Magnets and are typically used in multiple quantities to achieve the desired holding strength.

Understanding Pull Force Ratings
The listed pull force of a magnet is measured under ideal testing conditions using 10mm thick steel in a direct vertical pull test. When magnets are mounted on a vertical surface, the effective holding strength is generally reduced to approximately 30% of the stated pull force due to gravity and reduced surface traction.

For example, a magnet tested with a 1kg pull force may provide an effective holding force of approximately 300 grams when mounted vertically.

Expect Some Trial and Error
Every knife block project is different and may require some experimentation to achieve the ideal result. To help with this process, we offer a 30-day returns policy on unused products returned in original condition.

Not All Knives Are Magnetic
Please note that some cutlery and stainless steel knives may contain little or no iron, meaning they may not be magnetic or may only be weakly attracted to magnets.

Customer Review from Andrew who used our Neodymium Disc Magnets (15mm x 7mm):

"I used these for a wooden knife rack and they are just perfect. For anyone interested, I used only a 2.5mm depth of timber between the magnet and the knife surface; and I placed them horizontally at 25mm intervals centre-to-centre of magnet. The strength in this placement is ideal, knives don’t budge but it’s easy enough to lift them off the block of wood. It even holds a hammer!"

The instructional video below uses our Neodymium Block Magnets 40mm x 15mm x 8mm