Product test
Design fail in the kitchen: why the stainless steel board fails for me
by Stephan Lamprecht
Want to elevate your knives? This magnetic rack does exactly that
26/1/2026
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Pia Seidel
Kai’s magnetic rack made of oak is a design piece that enhances your kitchen. It’s minimalist, space-saving and simply stylish.
Kitchen accessories are often either functional or pretty, but rarely both. The magnetic rack from the brand Kai is different. After all the enthusiastic reviews from the Galaxus Community, such as «Top quality!» and «Great on both a visual and practical level!», I had to test it. Spoiler: it didn’t disappoint.
First impressions: clean, classy, timeless
As soon as you lay your eyes on it, the knife rack screams designer piece. The solid oak wood with its natural grain and matt finish? Simply stunning. Whether your kitchen is cottagecore, Scandi or modern, this piece of wood blends in like a perfect Insta filter.
The finish? Chef’s kiss. Smooth rounded edges, no unnecessary frills. It looks like a statement piece that belongs on the wall.
Functionality: delivers what it promises
The wooden rack does what it’s supposed to do – and does it really well. Sharp blades hang securely, even the slightly heavier ones. The magnet resistance is just right: strong enough so that nothing falls off, but easy enough that you’re not struggling to remove the knife. Another benefit is that your knives stay sharp for longer, as they don’t come into contact with other surfaces.
But yes, there are a couple of weak points. At the ends of the rack, there’s around two to three centimetres of space that isn’t magnetic because the wall mountings are hidden there – so it won’t hold your knives there. Plus, the overall magnetic force isn’t always sufficient for really heavy kitchen knives with XXL handles.
Mounting: easy, but requires drilling
It’s a straightforward task to put the rack up, as long as you’re prepared to drill holes. The screws supplied hold the rack firmly in place. But if you think you can stick it to the wall with tape alone – you’re wrong. Tape won’t hold the weight.
And if you thought the rack would hold magnetically on metal walls, you’ll be disappointed. You’ll also need to fix it to those.
Everyday test: practical and stylish
After a few weeks of use, I can confirm that the knife rack’s a game changer. Unlike a knife block, nothing gets in the way on the kitchen countertop. With a length of 40 centimetres, you can hang up to six knives.
One minor problem: although the wood’s pretty, it’s also somewhat delicate. Stains or scratches show up more quickly. But with a little wood oil, it’ll stay looking fresh for a long time.
In a nutshell
Better than a knife block
Kai’s magnetic rack is for anyone who values a tidy and aesthetically pleasing kitchen. It keeps your knives at your fingertips, saves space on the countertop or in drawers and succeeds in quality and design. Although there are cheaper alternatives, it’s worth investing a little more for the high-quality finish and elegant look.
Of course, nothing’s perfect: the magnetic force won’t hold super-heavy cutting knives, and the ends of the rack aren’t magnetic.
Pro
- High-quality oak wood with a timeless design
- Space-saving and ideal for small kitchens
- Secure hold for knives up to 350 grammes
- Easy to put up
- Space for up to six knives
Contra
- Wooden surface susceptible to scratches and stains
- Magnet not strong enough for heavy knives with solid handles
Header image: Pia Seidel
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
These articles might also interest you
30 comments
later