Hobbs & Moloney
SERIES 4. Magnetic Knife Block
2021
Research, Concept, Development + Packaging
Hobbs & Moloney
SERIES 4. Customizable Magnetic Knife Holder
Founded in 2008 — Hobbs & Moloney was the world’s first to design and manufacture a customisable magnetic bench top knife block. Having developed 3 generations in-house, Hobbs & Moloney approached D+I with a vision to develop a unique product design language that could be applied to SERIES 4. and carried through future generations. With an aim to become the market leader in design, functionality, quality and style — the developed aesthetics for SERIES 4. needed to be highly appealing to maximise sales in major global markets. Aesthetics aside, SERIES 4. design needed to be optimised for cost effective manufacture reducing the amount of labour involved compared to current processes — a critical element in supporting the brands growth and transition towards higher volume production.
Mix and Match Design.
SERIES 4. has been designed for those who hold a true love of cooking for family + friends (foodies, home chefs and entertainers). Those who are the proud curators of their homes stylish + functional kitchen spaces. The market demanded a ‘Mix and Match’ approach to both the Block + Base components — customisable elements ensure the knife block suits a variety of contemporary kitchen aesthetics — SERIES 4. elevates quality knife collections to become a staple show piece on any bench.
Panel finishes: Satin Black, white and red.
Base range: Gloss black, white and red.
Premium base range: Brushed Brass and Satin Chrome.
Design details.
Satin finish, gloss edges + debossed base detail.
The back panel (Matte White, Black + Red) is plastic molded with a satin finish to avoid finger prints + oil marks + scratches which has been paired with a gloss edge accent. The back panel has no visible fasteners and houses a number of strategically placed neodymium (recycled rare earth) magnets with just the right strength — making knives easy to remove and attach with one hand. Weight has been carefully balanced between requirements — standing stable whilst holding a number of knives, just right weighting indicative of a high quality product, but, not too heavy as to keep logistics + shipping costs down. The base (Gloss Black, White, Red, Brushed Brass + Satin Chrome) features an underside molded rubber footing with the Hobbs & Moloney signature artwork debossing (a functional detail that helps to protects benchtops).
