Use and Care
   
 







Knife Use & Care
Sharpening
Sharp knives are safer than dull ones because dull knives require more pressure for cutting, which can result in slipping. Sharpening knives with a sharpening steel can seem difficult at first, but it’s actually quite easy once you get the hang of it.
 
  • Hold sharpening steel point down on flat stable surface like table or cutting board
 
  • Angle the knife blade so that it is approximately 15 degrees from the sharpening steel
 
  • Pull the knife down and across the sharpening steel in a slight arc, pulling the knife handle toward you. Stroke the entire blade edge from base to tip.
 
  • Repeat on the other side of the steel.
 
  • Repeat steps 3 and 4 three to five times, alternating the right and left side of the cutting edge.
 
Knives should be sharpened after every couple uses for maximum performance.
Use a scouring powder to clean and remove metal particles from your sharpening steel. After cleaning the steel, rinse it with water, dry it thoroughly and store it in a dry place.
Cleaning
For best results, hand wash your knives with a soapy cloth & dry immediately. Soaking wood-handled knives in water can remove the natural oils from the handles. Dishwashing may cause banging against other dishes that can nick the edges. Additionally, the heat & detergent may have a corrosive effect on the handles.
Use a scouring powder to clean & remove metal particles from your sharpening steel. After cleaning the steel, rinse it with water, dry it thoroughly & store it in a dry place.
 
Storing
Sharp knives should never be stored loose in a drawer because contact with hard objects can dull the blade & reaching into a knife drawer can be very dangerous. We recommend storing your knives in a hardwood block for safety & convenience. Many Cutlery sets include a hardwood block for storage.
 
Knife Safety
  • Keep knives sharp at all times
  • Use the correct size & type of knife for the job
  • Cut away from the body when possible
  • Use knives with a wooden or polyethylene cutting board
  • After handling a knife, lay it down in a cleared area with the blade away from the body & safe distance from the edge of the cutting area
  • Do not reach blindly for a knife; reach deliberately for the handle
  • Never try to catch a falling knife
  • Do not use a knife to stab, pull, or lift materials
  • Knives should not be used as can openers, screw drivers, or ice picks nor are they intended for prying apart frozen food.