Knife Skills —

a kitchen guide to using the right knife the right way

This site will give you the confidence to choose and use the knives and other nonelectric sharp tools in your kitchen. It’s also a reference site that you can use as you improve your skills and acquire the tools that will make you a better cook!

Washing and storing

Always wash your knives by hand. Do not give in to the temptation of expediency by putting your knives in the dishwasher. Two bad things will happen. Not might happen. Will happen. The first is that over time, by soaking and steaming your knives in the long dishwasher cycle, water will get between the handle and the tang. This will eventually degrade the wood (or whatever material your knife handle is made from) and slowly separate it from the tang. Another problem with the dishwasher is that other dishes or glassware may also clank and bump against the knife blade. This can dull and damage your blade.

It’s important to never put your knife in the sink unless you are going to wash it immediately. It’s easy to forget that a sharp knife might be lurking among the dishes, or worse, submerged and soaking in soapy water. This is particularly problematic if someone else is washing the dishes and knives. It would be a very unpleasant surprise to reach into the sink and unknowingly grab the unfriendly end of the knife.

How to Choose and Use Your Knives

How to Choose and Use Your Knives

How to Buy a Knife

How to Buy a Knife

Caring for Your Knives

Caring for Your Knives

Nonknife, Nonmotorized Sharp Kitchen Tools

Nonknife, Nonmotorized Sharp Kitchen Tools


A bad knife cuts one’s finger instead of the stick. Portuguese proverb

A bad knife cuts one’s finger instead of the stick.

Portuguese proverb


No matter how sharp a knife is, it can never cut its handle. Chinese proverb

No matter how sharp a knife is, it can never cut its handle.

Chinese proverb


The mother is she who catches the knife by the blade. French proverb

The mother is she who catches the knife by the blade.

French proverb

Margaret Witter Fuller

Genius will live and thrive without training, but it does not the less reward the watering pot and pruning knife.

John Owen

Temptation is like a knife, that may either cut the meat or the throat of a man; it may be his food or his), poison, his exercise or his destruction.

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The information in this site is true and complete to the best of our knowledge.
The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.
All recommendations are made without guarantee.