[Still confused (OP)]

I want to make a featured board of thin sheet metal to be fixed in the kitchen inplace of a slash back. What sets it apart is that it's magnetised and is used to hold kitchen metal utensils, fish slice, masher etc.

I don't want to put magnets on the utensils so a magnetised board or sheet is needed.

Any ideas on metals to use and how to magnetise them?

Thanks.

[CliffordK]

Look up on the internet:

Flexible Magnetic Sheet.

For example:
http://www.dickblick.com/products/flexible-magnetic-sheet/

This is magnetic sheets, 24" wide, sold by the foot.

[Still confused (OP)]

Thanks, but that's a magnetic sheet, I'm after a magnetised sheet. One that metal objects stick to, not one that you stick on metal objects.

[RD]

IMO something which exerts a rapidly increasing force on a knife you're holding seems unsafe to me. 

[CliffordK]

You can glue it to any backing you wish, and metal objects will stick to it, especially if they are flat.  I.E.  if you want it to hold onto knives, don't let the handle get in the way.

You may be able to magnetize steel or iron with a strong electro-magnet but it will be very weak.  Most magnets are a type of iron composite ceramic that is first formed, then magnetized.

Here is a magnet strip.

http://www.amazon.com/Grip-Tools-55110-MAGNETIC-HOLDER/dp/B003MBV4ZY

[Geezer]

IMO something which exerts a rapidly increasing force on a knife you're holding seems unsafe to me.
 

I'm inclined to agree. It might be even more dangerous when you try to remove the knife from the magnet. A small person might have to yank it quite hard, and if they are not very steady on their feet, they might lose their balance.

[CliffordK]

I don't think it would be a problem.
Although, it might be a reason to choose a commercial product designed specifically for knives.

So that the force to hold the knives and the force to remove them can be balanced.

[Geezer]

You can't be too careful. Not so long ago, one of my former teachers was found dead in her home underneath a toppled refrigerator. Not that it has much to do with magnetic knife holders........

[CliffordK]

Toppled Refrigerator?

Was your teacher trying to pull loose refrigerator magnets?

I've heard of vending machines:
http://www.darwinawards.com/darwin/darwin2001-25.html

[CliffordK]

Buy a couple of these...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Strong-neodymium-magnets-n52-HUGE-1500-pull-force-/140536262892?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b89d30ec


And it will hold knives, pots and pans, Cast Iron Skillets...   Perhaps an Engine Block if you wish.

[]

[Geezer]

Now that's what I call a fridge magnet!