How To Make Your Knives Last A Lifetime

If there is one thing that can greatly impact your cooking experience, it’s the quality of your knives. As you learn how to cook, you will notice that you are starting to do a lot more chopping than you are accustomed to, and may require new kitchenware. For cooking basics, there are really only three kinds of knives that you need: an 8-inch chef’s knife, a paring knife and a bread knife. Now that you know what kinds of knives to look for, here are some tips on keeping them sharp and rust-free for decades.

Choose a quality knife
The best thing you can do to ensure your knives last a long time is to select a quality knife. Before you start telling yourself that you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a knife when you are just starting out in the kitchen, keep in mind that price is not always a good indicator of its durability. When shopping for a knife, it is good to get familiar with the terminology so that you can determine its quality based on how it was made.

  • Material. There are two types materials to look at for in a good kitchen knife: carbon steel and stainless steel. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. Carbon steel is more likely to rust if left wet or react to acidic juices in food, but typically they stay sharper than stainless steel varieties. Stainless steel won’t rust and there is nothing to worry about when slicing citrus, but the edge of their blades are more likely to wear down faster.
  • Construction. Look for knives, especially chef’s knives, that are described as full tang or forged. A full tang knife means that the steel blade runs all the way down the handle to the butt end of it. A forged knife is made from one solid piece of metal. Steel that extends throughout the entire knife makes it sturdier and more balanced.
  • Comfort. An overlooked aspect of a good kitchen knife is how comfortable it feels in your hand. The weight and shape of it should feel like a natural extension of yourself so that you can slice and dice with ease as you prepare your next meal. If you feel awkward handling the knife, you may be more likely to injure yourself with it. Shopping at a store that specializes in kitchen goods is a great place to look for a knife, because there are often sample products. This way, you can hold the knife and see how comfortably it feels in your hand before purchasing.

Practice good cutting
Once you have your knife, you’ll probably be eager to practice some knife skills. In order to slice like a pro without dulling your blade, you’ll want make sure you use a solid cutting board – even for foods that aren’t juicy. Cutting boards are often viewed as protection for your countertops from scratches or juice, but they are actually important for keeping your knife safe as well . The hard surface of your counter will quickly dull your blade, so look for a cutting board made from wood or silicone for a soft surface to chop on.

Be careful with washing
Another way that knives are dulled prematurely is by knocking into other dishes and silverware. Because of this, your knives shouldn’t be left in the sink with other dirty utensils or run through the dishwasher. Kitchen appliances, while useful at times, can also weaken and warp the knives because of the hot water temperatures. Allowing them to become buried in the sink is just plain dangerous to unsuspecting hands. The best way to clean your knives is to wash and dry them by hand after using, and then store them in a safe, dry spot.

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One Comment

  1. I am doing same techniques to secure longer efficacy of our knives at home. All of these really work!