Knife care?

[TexasRose]

I probably don't sharpen my knives nearly often enough. I have the little hand-held sharpener and there's really no reason I shouldn't use it every time I use the knife. I need to take better care of them.

[expatgirl]

Twinmamma,

As a temporary CHEAP solution until you get a new knife block, take an empty cardboard paper towel tube, compress it, fold one end down about 2 inches, tape it down with duct tape then wrap around the entire length of the cardboard tube with duct tape. Insert your knife in the other opened end. Makes a great knife protector for a large knife that will last a LONG time. You can cut to fit varying knife lengths.

[BagCSC]

I dont have a knife block at this time. I just have a drawer full of knives.

[TexasRose]

I have both - a drawer full of my old not so great knives, and a block for my good Henckels knives.

[expatgirl]

One of the nicest wedding gifts that we received was a set of beautiful steak knives in a lovely case and inside was a shiny penny with the year of our marriage. I just thought the penny was for good luck-----now I know the real reason and luckily we've never cut ourselves using them------now chef's knives, paring knives, that's a different story!!!

[BagCSC]

Ok....guess I havent heard that one....what was the penny for?

[Twinmama]

expat, thanks!!

BagCSC, I think the penny is to ward off the bad luck that is supposed to go along with giving a knife to someone (see the old wives' tale discussed upthread).

[mommy00]

To remove rust from knives it is recommend to use a product called Bar Keepers Friend (you can find this at your local walmart). It is also recommended to hand wash, dry immedietely, and apply (vegetable or olive oil) to the blades to save the lives of them.

I work for a company that sells and warranties knives and pitting is caused by high acid foods such as the tomatoes..

We also recommend that knives be stored in a wooden block not only for safety but also it keeps the blades from getting nicked.

[pinkperson]

I always make sure that my knives are not wet when I keep them in the drawer. I also make sure that they are sharpened once in a while.

[medako]

I've also heard the story about not giving knives as a gift. I've also heard of people attaching a penny and after the gift has been opened, requesting the penny back. That way the gift giver is being "paid" for the knives and superstition says the friendship will not be "cut".