KNIFE SAFETY

Did you know that using a DULL knife is actually more hazardous than using a SHARP one? Having to force a knife when cutting is the main reason for knife-related accidents.. Stay SAFE by keeping your knives SHARP!

LEARN KNIFE SAFETY

I am obsessed with knives, especially sharp ones. Using sharp knives makes food prep more enjoyable, and is safer than using dull knives. Professionally sharpened knives allow you to cut with less brute force, which can result in slipping and injuries.

TIPS BEFORE USE

-Make sure you are working on a stable work surface suitable for cutting. Working on an unstable surface might lead to losing control of your knife, which can have painful consequences. Working on surfaces not suitable for cutting can lead to the knife getting stuck or inadvertently cutting through the surface.

-Remove clutter from your work surface as objects can easily get caught under the blade while cutting. This can damage the knife, the object you are cutting, or result in you losing control over the knife.

TIPS DURING USE

-Your blade should always point away from your body when cutting. Obviously, make sure nobody parts are in the cutting path

-Make sure that you are not distracted or bumped into while using a sharp knife. Other people should be at a safe distance when cutting

-Use knives for their intended purpose only. Drilling holes, undoing screws or cutting the wrong materials with your knives can damage the blade and cause injury to yourself or others

-Never try to catch a falling knife! Let the knife fall to the ground rather than trying to grab it as it falls. Take care of your legs too!

TIPS AFTER USE

-Wash your knives in lukewarm water and never put them in the dishwasher. Wipe off and dry immediately, particularly the carbon steel blades.

-Store your knives in a safe location. Ideally, they should be stored in a knife block or on a magnetic knife bar so that their edges don’t get damaged by knocking into other hard kitchen items

-Retractable blades and the blades of folding knives need to be drawn back immediately after use

-If you decided -hope not- that you want to get rid of any of your knives dispose it in a blade disposal container or wrap the blade properly. Never discard loose blades in the garbage or leave them where they can injure an unsuspecting person

-Maybe fairly obvious, but worth mentioning: never toss a knife to someone. When handing over a knife, set it down and let the other person pick it up

Enjoy your knives and be safe!