| When using a kitchen knife, or any sharp object, | | | | 2) Always use a cutting board. Don't cut on your |
| remember to put safety first. Although it sounds | | | | countertop. Not only is cutting on your countertop |
| obvious don't run around with a sharp knife in | | | | bad for your countertop, it's bad for the blade of |
| your hand, don't point a knife at anyone and | | | | your knife too. And never use a glass cutting |
| always cut away from yourself not towards | | | | board. Glass cutting boards may be pretty but |
| yourself. Also, don't use your finger to see how | | | | they are also pretty horrible for a knife. It's a |
| sharp the blade is. Yes, I know some of you | | | | quick way to dull and ruin a knife. |
| reading this article have been guilty of this at least | | | | 3) Regularly use a honing steel to maintain the |
| once and have found out that the edge of the | | | | edges on your knives, but learn how to use the |
| knife was indeed very sharp because you cut | | | | honing steel properly. To learn the right technique, |
| yourself on it! | | | | ask the dealer where you buy your knives to sell |
| Another important safety tip is to never use the | | | | you a good honing steel and to also show you |
| knife for other than its intended purpose. No, a | | | | how to use it. |
| sharp kitchen knife should not be used as a | | | | 4) Have your knives professionally sharpened. |
| makeshift screwdriver or as a device to try and | | | | Although there are lots of knife sharpeners |
| pry open a locked door that you can't find the | | | | available for in-home use, I don't recommend |
| key for. Nor should it be used to pry apart a | | | | using them. It's too easy to permanently damage |
| stack of frozen hamburger patties. You could | | | | your knife. Instead use your honing steel regularly |
| easily cut yourself if the knife slips and you are | | | | and take your knives to a professional for |
| also in danger of breaking the tip of your knife | | | | sharpening a few times a year. If you take care |
| off. Also, don't use your kitchen knives to cut the | | | | of your knives properly you won't need to get |
| tops off plastic jugs or to cut cardboard boxes | | | | your knives sharpened more than a few times a |
| unless you want to almost instantly dull your knife. | | | | year depending on how much you use your |
| Use a scissors or utility knife for those jobs. | | | | knives. |
| When you buy a kitchen knife you get what you | | | | 5) Don't store your knives in a drawer with lots |
| pay for so invest in the best quality knives you | | | | of metal objects, such as your kitchen utensil |
| can afford and buy them from a reputable dealer. | | | | drawer. The edges of your knives will get banged |
| A fully forged carbon knife is the highest quality | | | | against the other metal things, damaging and |
| knife you can buy. High carbon stainless steel | | | | dulling the edges of your knives. You can still |
| knives are also pretty good. Regular stainless steel | | | | store your knives in a drawer, but don't have that |
| knives aren't as good and won't last you as long | | | | drawer crowded full of other items. Just keep |
| but any knife will last longer if you take care of it | | | | your knives in that drawer. Another option is to |
| properly (and most people don't care for their | | | | use a wood block to store your knives. |
| knives the way they should). What should you do | | | | 6) Use the correct knife for the task at hand. |
| to properly maintain your knives? Below is a list | | | | Don't use your serrated bread knife for chopping |
| of 6 important knife care tips. | | | | and dicing. Don't use your boning knife to slice |
| 1) Never ever, and I repeat NEVER, put your | | | | your bread. Instead, use a chef's knife (also called |
| knives in the dishwasher. The harsh chemicals | | | | a cook's knife or a French knife for chopping, |
| from your dishwasher detergent will pit your | | | | slicing and dicing. Use a paring knife for peeling and |
| knives and the dry cycle will also damage your | | | | trimming, and for cutting and slicing small items. A |
| knives. In addition, if the sharp edges of your | | | | utility knife is great for slicing meat and cheese. A |
| knives bump up against anything else, like your | | | | boning knife is for cutting meat and poultry. A fillet |
| plates, it will damage and dull your knives. Instead, | | | | knife is a great for cutting fish. And, as you would |
| as soon as possible after using your knives, wash | | | | expect, a bread knife's best use is cutting bread. |
| them by hand with a mild detergent and hand dry | | | | With proper use and care, your knives will last |
| them. Don't allow the knives to drip dry because | | | | you a long time and will help make your kitchen |
| moisture will dull your knives and will damage the | | | | cutting tasks easier and more enjoyable. |
| wood handles of knives. | | | | |