| Owning a set of kitchen knives, regardless of | | | | use. However, stainless steel does not mean 100 |
| their type, requires certain use and maintenance in | | | | percent rust proof. The coarser the stainless steel |
| order to keep them sharp and working correctly. | | | | surface is, the more likely it is to corrode. To |
| Whether you invested in quality kitchen knives or | | | | ensure your stainless steel cutlery is corrosion |
| own a set of discount knives, you will want to | | | | resistant, you want to purchase knives with finely |
| keep them sharp and handling well. The first rule | | | | ground or polished surfaces. Another option for |
| of use for your kitchen knife is to be sure that | | | | kitchen cutlery is ceramic knives which are durable |
| your blade lands on a soft surface, such as wood | | | | and long lasting. However, ceramic knives should |
| or plastic, instead of a hard surface like ceramic | | | | also not be put in the dishwasher. They are very |
| or metal. Striking your kitchen cutlery against hard | | | | easy to clean; a wipe and a rinse is all that is |
| surfaces will rapidly dull the blade and hinder the | | | | needed to keep them in great condition for years |
| performance of your kitchen knife, even if you | | | | to come. When storing your knives, it is best to |
| are using high quality ceramic or stainless steel | | | | choose a knife block to protect the blades. Never |
| cutlery. It's sometimes tempting to use the | | | | put your knife into the wooden knife block wet - |
| kitchen knife to pry something, use it as a | | | | wood absorbs water and you could introduce |
| screwdriver or chisel and many other actions for | | | | mold and mildew into your knife block which could |
| which the kitchen cutlery is not intended. Even | | | | effectually ruin your kitchen knives. If you are |
| using the handle of your knife as a hammer is not | | | | going to keep them in a drawer, be sure that |
| recommended, unless it is specifically built for that | | | | they are not tossed around too much. Jostling |
| task. The pins, springs and handle can loosen or | | | | against other knives or instruments could cause |
| break, rendering your kitchen knife useless. You | | | | your knife blades to chip or dull unnecessarily. It is |
| should keep your kitchen cutlery away from sand | | | | fine to keep them in a drawer, but they should be |
| and gritty materials. Be especially aware when | | | | sleeved or in compartments to avoid colliding with |
| you are using your knives outside, for instance if | | | | other utensils or inadvertently cutting you as you |
| you are camping, fishing or just barbequing | | | | search in the drawer for the knife you need. |
| outdoors. Be aware of your kitchen knife and if it | | | | Forged cutlery or stainless steel cutlery should be |
| gets wet, you should immediately dry it. When | | | | properly stored to ensure it lasts a long time. |
| you are washing your kitchen cutlery, do so in | | | | Taking care of your kitchen knives is quite easy if |
| mild, soapy water and then dry it completely with | | | | you follow the steps outlined above: - Keep |
| a towel, instead of allowing it to drip dry. You | | | | knives out of the dishwasher - Wash kitchen |
| should always wash your kitchen cutlery by hand | | | | knives right after use and dry them immediately |
| and dry it immediately after. Wood tends to swell, | | | | after washing - Store them in a wooden knife |
| so it you have wooden handled knives, it is best | | | | block, in sleeves or in a compartmentalized |
| not to immerse them in water for any period of | | | | drawer Taking good care of your knives and |
| time. You can rub mineral oil on wooden knife | | | | using them properly will ensure that you will have |
| handles to help them keep their luster. You can | | | | great kitchen knives for years to come. Ben |
| also increase the lifetime of your wooden handled | | | | Anton, 2007 |
| kitchen knives by rubbing lemon oil or furniture | | | | Ben Anton lives in Portland, OR and writes for |
| polish into the wood handle occasionally. Stainless | | | | DLK. We invite you to read more about the latest |
| steel cutlery should not rust in the humidity and it | | | | in kitchen cutlery at our wholesale knifes website. |
| can withstand acids that it is exposed to in daily | | | | |