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