Kitchen knives come in a wide range of prices, depending on factors like the materials used and how they’re made. But if you’ve invested in a high-quality one, you’ll want to keep it in great condition and use it for as long as possible.
The lifespan of a kitchen knife varies greatly depending on factors such as the material, how it’s used, how often it’s used, and how it’s maintained. Therefore, it’s difficult to say exactly how many years on average a knife will last. However, with proper knowledge and careful daily handling, it is said that a high-quality knife can last for several years to over a decade.
To keep your kitchen knife sharp and long-lasting, here are 5 essential maintenance tips every home cook should know.
Everyday Kitchen Knife Care: 5 Essential Tips
1. Washing Your Knife Immediately After Use: A Key to Preventing Rust and Damage
Make sure to wash your knife thoroughly with dishwashing detergent, and wipe off moisture and dirt with a cloth or paper towel. While stainless steel is resistant to rust, it is not completely rust-proof. If salt, acid, or moisture is left on the surface, rust can form. Therefore, it’s important to wash your knife as soon as possible after use.
Currently, we do not carry carbon steel knives on our site, but since carbon steel is more prone to rust, it is especially important to wash them immediately after use.
Dishwasher-safe knives are convenient to clean, but if you want them to last longer, hand washing is recommended.
2. Avoid Cutting Hard Ingredients
Frozen foods and hard ingredients (such as pumpkins) can damage your knife if you try to cut them with a regular kitchen knife. Forcing the knife to cut these tough items can cause the blade to chip, and in the worst case, it may break or crack. To prevent this, avoid cutting these foods with a regular knife. Specialised knives for cutting such ingredients are available on the market (though we do not currently carry them on our site).
Additionally, when trying to cut hard ingredients, applying sideways pressure to the knife can cause the blade to warp or chip.
Knives are designed to take advantage of their cutting edge in a back-and-forth motion.
Applying force sideways can damage the blade. It’s important to be cautious when cutting hard ingredients to avoid this issue.
3. Choose the Right Cutting Board for Your Knives
It’s important to choose the right material for your cutting board. Using overly hard boards (like stone or glass) can damage your knife’s blade and cause it to wear out faster. For longer-lasting knives, softer materials such as wood or rubber are recommended.
4. Dishwasher Safe or Not? What You Need to Know About Your Knives
Knives that are not dishwasher-safe require proper hand washing and drying after use. For example, knives with wooden handles, including laminated ones, or carbon steel blades (not available on our site) aren’t dishwasher-safe. Since the material of the handle and blade may vary, it’s important to check the specific care instructions for each product and follow them properly. Additionally, even dishwasher-safe knives can be damaged by contact with other utensils in the dishwasher, so extra caution is needed.
5. Regular Sharpening to Make Your Knives Last Longer
Knives can vary depending on the material and how they are used, but over time, their sharpness gradually diminishes. Therefore, regular sharpening once a month is crucial for maintaining your knife’s longevity and keeping it in good condition.
Explore Our Selection of Whetstones
For instructions on how to sharpen your knife with a whetstone, please refer to our blog page.
What to Do in These Knife Care Situation
How to Store Your Knife When Not in Use for a Long Time
When not in use, make sure to dry the knife thoroughly, then wrap it in newspaper, a knife cover, or similar material, and store it in a dry, well-ventilated area. To prevent rust, apply a thin layer of blade oil or vegetable oil. If using salad oil, make sure to reapply it once a year.
What to Do if Your Knife Chips?
If your knife chips, the safest option is to have it repaired by a professional sharpener. If you prefer to fix it yourself, start by using a coarse whetstone to reshape the edge, and then refine it further with a medium grit stone.
With regular maintenance and proper care, you can continue using your kitchen knife for years. Taking good care of it ensures that your knife will keep supporting your cooking and remain a reliable tool in your kitchen for years to come.