How to Break in Knives

New knives come to you sharp and ready to go. But with each use, they become dull. Dull knives make slicing more difficult and can actually be more dangerous to handle than sharp knives. It's important to break in your knives and care for them on a regular basis. If you care for your knives properly, they will last for years.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sharpening steel
• Knives
• Knife storage

1. Buy a steel, a metal rod used to sharpen knives. It will smooth the blade, removing any nicks.

2. Run the knife down the length of the steel with a sweeping motion. This should be done after each time you use your knives.

3. Keep the knife on the same angle as its bevel. Sharpen both sides of the blade, working in one direction only. Do this several times on each side.

4. Wipe down the knife blade after each use with a soft cloth or sponge. Dry it.

5. Put the knife in a knife block, on a magnetic strip or in a protective sleeve. Use sleeves if you want to keep your knives in a drawer.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your knives are completely dry before putting them in a knife block because the slots are difficult to clean.
• Be cautious of electric sharpeners. They are so generic, they don't take into account each blade's shape and bevel.
• Don't leave knives in the sink with other utensils. The blade can become dulled.
• Don't put expensive knives in the dishwasher because the handle can loosen.
• Be careful of the blade. Only handle knives by the back side of the blade.

Resources

• Buy a knife sharpener here.

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