Knife Maintenance

To extend the lives of your kitchen blades, take time for regular knife maintenance.

Never put your knives in the dishwasher. High heat and harsh detergent can damage these essential kitchen tools. Also, avoid using scouring pads or abrasive cleaners on the blades.

Instead, wash your kitchen knives by hand. Use warm tap water and a sponge with a mild dish soap to remove food debris. Clean kitchen knives immediately after use and rinse them with running water. Then, wipe the blades and handles with a clean towel and allow to air dry before storing.

Storing your knives properly is important, both for your safety and for maintaining the sharp edge of the blades. When knives are loose in a drawer, anyone reaching into it could get cut accidentally. Unguarded blades may also get nicked by other utensils in the drawer. Any scratch or chip on a knife’s blade will cause it to cut less effectively.

The countertop knife blocks that come with many knife sets are great options for knife storage. The knife block protects the sharp edges of the blades. It also keeps your knives within easy reach. A magnetic knife bar is another handy method for storing kitchen knives outside of a drawer. If you must keep your knives in a drawer, use blade guards or a in-drawer knife organizer to protect them from damage. Blade guards and knife organizers can also help prevent accidental cuts as you're reaching for a knife in a drawer.

When using your knives, work with wooden, bamboo or plastic cutting boards. Harder materials can damage or prematurely wear the blades.

A honing steel will help smooth the fine edge of a sharp blade. Regularly honed knives require sharpening less frequently.

There are several methods for sharpening knives. Use manual knife sharpeners, electric knife sharpeners or a sharpening stone yourself. Professional knife sharpening services are also available.

With regular pocket-knife maintenance, you can keep these handy tools in good working order. Pay special attention to the moving parts of a pocket knife, especially the channel where the closed blade rests in the handle.

Wiping the blade clean after each use will prevent stubborn buildup. Cleaning your knife monthly, or even more often, can help extend its useful life.

• Use a toothpick to remove lint and loosen dirt from the handle.
• Give extra attention to the area around the blade’s locking mechanism. Debris can accumulate and prevent the lock from engaging or make it difficult to release.
• Rinse the knife under warm running water to flush out the handle channel.
• Place a drop of dish soap on the bristles of a toothbrush. Use the toothbrush to scrub the blade and handle.
• Next, open all blades to clean the housing. For multi-tools and pocket knives with multiple blades, clean each blade individually.
• Rinse the knife with clean water and wipe with a cloth.
• To prevent rust, allow pocket knives to air-dry completely before storing them.

Lubricate the moving parts of a pocket knife to help the blade open and close more easily. When using a lubricating oil, a little bit goes a long way on a knife pivot and lock.

• Apply lubricant when the knife is clean and completely dry.
• Use a cotton swab to dab the oil onto hinges and locking mechanism.
• Manipulate the blade back-and-forth to allow the oil to coat the pivot.
• Wipe away excess lubricant with a paper towel.
• A thin coating of oil on the blade itself can help prevent rust from building up.
• Food-safe mineral oil is a good choice for lubricating a pocket knife especially if you occasionally use your blade to cut produce.

Pocket knife sharpening is an essential task. It’s much easier to keep a blade sharp than it is to sharpen a dull one. Use a sharpening stone frequently for a finely honed edge on your knife.

A versatile hunting knife is the perfect companion for hunting and camping trips. Use it for cutting rope, sharpening stakes or even preparing a meal. Keep a separate set of knives for field butchering. If you only have one knife, it can be used to prep game meat and for cooked food, but sanitize the knife between tasks.

Because these tools can help with dozens of tasks, it’s important to learn how to care for hunting knives. When you’re camping, do your best to keep your knife clean, dry and protected in its sheath.

Rinse a dirty hunting knife with water from a stream or pond. Dry the blade before placing it in its sheath. When you return home, give your knife a thorough cleaning with a toothbrush and liquid dish soap. Once it’s completely dry, apply a thin coat of mineral oil on the blade to help prevent rust from forming before your next trip.

Keeping your hunting knife sharp is the key to its usefulness. Always have an all-purpose sharpening stone in your backpack, and, more importantly, use it before the blade becomes dull. These handheld essentials are great for honing the edge of your knife while in the field and at home.