Tool Maintenance: How Long Should a Good Knife Last?
October 27, 2022
No kitchen is complete without an old reliable knife. Keep your kitchen tools in tip top condition using these knife maintenance hacks. A good knife can last forever if you treat it correctly. Here’s how to look after it.
Look after your knife and your knife will look after you. In truth, a good knife really can last you a lifetime. This article will teach you how to choose the best metals, the best makeup, and the best maintenance tools to help preserve your good kitchen blade. Every homesteader should have a trusty knife to hand. Here is how you can make your knife stand the test of time.
Knife Construction: Choosing a Solid Blade
Let’s discuss what a “good knife” is. It is not the one you feel you can slice best with. It is not the knife with the greatest serrated edge. Rather, a good knife is the one built for durability. We can sharpen any knife using whetstone sharpening methods, but we cannot replace a broken blade.
The Two Types of Knives
The modern knife comes in one of two forms. It is either a solid piece of metal from the tip of the blade to the base of the handle, or it comes in two parts. A solid metal knife will have a metal handle, with some grip added. A two part knife will not.
The construction of the modern knife, all one piece of metal, lends itself well to repair. This is because there is no tangible way to break it. When a knife is solid like this, it is safer to use. The handle will not split apart and break over time. Instead, you may wear grooves in it where your hand naturally fits on the handle.
A knife with a wooden, rubber, or plastic handle is not as durable. You may remove and replace the handle when it starts to break. Find a local blade master or even a blacksmith to replace the handle for you.
Chefs prefer a knife carved from a single piece of metal. They are better hygienically and less likely to break over time.
How to Maintain a Knife?
Asides from replacing broken handles, there are other tips and tricks to maintaining your knife. Here are some hot takes to help you preserve your blade.
Keep the Knife Dry
Even stainless steel knives can become wet and rust if you leave them in the right conditions. Keep your knives clean and make sure you dry them properly before you put them away.
Keep the Knife Sharp
A knife is only likely to cut you if you use it when the blade is dull. Keep a whetstone handy to sharpen the blade. Some chefs have blades so old that they have sharpened the blade down to half the size it should be.
Keep the Knife Contained
When not in use, store your knife in a cloth wrap or in a sheath. Sheathing the knife protects the blade from chips and scratches that take place while it is not in use.
How long should a knife last?
If you followed the tips above and you re-handle the knife if it breaks, you should have a good blade for decades. Sharpen it regularly and keep it away from excess water to be sure of a reliable slice of steak, every time.