Whatever You Do, Don’t Lose Your Edge

Cutlery experts offer the following tips for keeping knives in good condition:

Protect blades from accidental damage. Never store knives in a drawer with other utensils; keep them in a wood block or scabbard of some kind to prevent dulling and nicking.

Avoid dishwashers. Product literature may state your knives are “dishwasher safe,” but they can get knocked around in a dishwasher and be subjected to intense heat and harsh detergents. Instead, rinse them in warm water and wipe the blades clean.

Don’t misuse knives. The fine edge that does a good job slicing fresh vegetables won’t last long if you use it to cut frozen meat. Know a knife’s capabilities and don’t use it to perform tasks for which it was not designed.

Maintain a sharp edge. Learn to restore a blade’s edge.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Scripps-McClatchy Western Service