How to Care for Your Knives

Whatever your cooking skill level, a good set of kitchen knives is a must-have for every home cook. Having reliable and sharp knives to hand makes preparing meals much quicker and easier, so it’s important to know how to best care for them so you can keep them working effectively for longer.

Here are some useful tips on how to look after your knives:

• Keeping knives in your cutlery drawer makes them go blunt more quickly. Store them separately, either on a magnetic rack, in a divided tray or block, and keep them well out of children's reach.
• Use wood or plastic chopping boards to cut on as these won’t blunt the blade as much as marble or glass. A blunt knife makes it difficult to chop ingredients and putting added pressure on the blade increases the risk of hurting yourself.
• Handwash knives right after using them.
• Avoid placing knives in the dishwasher, even if the manufacturer says it’s safe. A dishwasher cycle can corrode both the handle and blade and breaks in between rinsing can give rust the chance to develop.
• Do not leave knives to soak – it’s easy to forget they’re at the bottom of the sink!
• Always dry knives immediately after washing to avoid rusting.
• Use separate knives for preparing raw and cooked foods.
• Hone and sharpen your knives regularly to maintain a sharp edge.

If it’s time to update your kitchen knives or add to your existing collection, you can check out the full range of Blackmoor knives here.