Hexa, a modular and puzzleable knife magnet

Ola Särén is the innovator behind HEXA, a modular and puzzleable knife magnet that he was the first to bring to market. The easiest part of the whole process was coming up with the idea, according to Ola. And the challenges have been to manage everything yourself, from manufacturing and marketing to sales.

Ola Särén was sketching on a straight knife strip, but took a break and started flipping through his sketchbook of ideas. There he saw a sketch of a chest of drawers with hexagonal drawers that he had sketched earlier.

- That's when I asked myself: "A magnet doesn't have to have straight lines, so why does a knife edge have to be straight? What if you play with the shapes and create something new that is modular and puzzleable?" That's how Hexa came about. That's usually how my ideas come about, it starts with problem solving at home.

What makes your innovation unique?

- As far as I know, I was the first to come up with a modular knife solution that can be infinitely expanded.

How long did it take from idea to production?

- Just a month or two. I hired a graphic designer to create the logo and the box for the Witch. The boxes also form a continuous pattern when you place them next to each other. This creates a common thread with the product in it.

Ola Särén lives in Onsala outside Kungsbacka and studied arts and crafts and design in Grimslöv. He then worked as an extra at a fine carpentry company until he started his own business.

- I have lots of ideas that I want to realize. It's really inexhaustible on that front.

All manufacturing and production takes place in Ola's own workshop. He is also the one who matches all the magnets together so that they match in color. This can differ somewhat between different tiles. Hexa is very easy to install because you don't need to drill into the tiles, but attach them with double-sided tape.

The materials are mainly from Sweden, with the exception of the walnut which comes from the USA, due to the fact that such dark walnut is not available in Sweden. Hexa is sold throughout Europe, but mainly in Sweden, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.

What has been the response from the community?

- It has been very positive! Many people who have bought the magnets want to buy another one over time and then they want to match the wood type of the existing ones. Then the customer can send a picture of the magnets they have at home and I try to find one that matches them, it is usually appreciated!

- When I'm at trade fairs, many people ask me what it is and guess that it's a table mat. That's why I now always have a wall with me where I put up the knives so that it's clear what they're used for.

How do you take care of your knife magnets?

- The surface treatment is done with hard wax oil, which is also easy to maintain when the magnet is mounted on the wall. Hard wax oil provides deeper protection than varnish, for example if you have put up a damp knife (which you really shouldn't). If you want your products to last a long time, you must also be able to maintain them.

What have been the main challenges?

- Managing everything in the company yourself, from manufacturing and marketing to sales. Marketing is expensive for a small company that wants to reach many people," explains Ola.

Still, he has his sights set on more innovations in the future, and has an idea in the pipeline that he wants to keep under wraps for now.

How did you get in touch with SmartaSaker?

- I was contacted by your buyer, Amanda, and you were actually the first Hexa dealer. I was struck by the fact that you are a company that promotes Swedish innovation and manufacturing. It's not just a product you're selling, there's a thought behind it.

Ola's three tips for other innovators:

  For me, most ideas come from completely different things than the area I develop it in. Go out and see forms and solutions in other places.
  Take time to think about it and let it develop over time. This way you can avoid obvious errors and shortcomings before you build. Do not try to force anything. An idea is rarely ready right away.
  Have fun and play with ideas and lots of them. Don't be afraid to scrap them, there will always be new ones that are better.