Knife Care and Safety

BASIC SAFETY MEASURES

KEEP KNIVES SHARP
A sharp knife is safer than a dull one because it requires less pressure in cutting. The knife will not slip as easily and your hand will not tire as quickly.

USE THE CORRECT SIZE AND TYPE OF KNIFE FOR THE JOB
Hold the knife firmly in your hand and cut away from the body. Use a wood or poly-ethylene cutting board.

Acrylic, ceramic and similar hard surfaces are tough on a knife edge because they do not "give" with the edge.

MAKE SURE THAT KNIVES LYING ON FLAT SURFACES ARE NEVER COVERED WITH TOWELS, NAPKINS OR OTHER MATERIALS
After handling a knife, lay it down in a cleared area, with the blade and point away from the body, and away from the edge of the table or cutting area.

DO NOT REACH BLINDLY FOR A KNIFE
Reach deliberately for the handle. When handing a knife to another person, do so with the handle toward him or her.

NEVER TRY TO CATCH A FALLING KNIFE!

SHARP KNIVES SHOULD BE WASHED SEPARATELY
Do not wash with other utensils. Each knife should be dried separately, always keeping the sharp cutting edge away from the hand. Dry knife blades from the back to the cutting edge.

DO NOT STORE KNIVES LOOSE IN A DRAWER!
Keep knives stored in a knife block or an in-drawer knife tray when not in use. If using a magnetic holder, make sure magnets are strong enough to hold knives securely in place and that the knives are clean. A greasy knife will not adhere properly to a magnetic rack.

KEEP KNIVES SAFELY OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN

NEVER TEST THE SHARPNESS OF A KNIFE BY RUNNING YOUR FINGER ALONG THE EDGE!