Knives are possibly one of the most indispensable tools in any kitchen and most chefs will devote a large amount of their budget to purchasing the finest products to suit their individual needs. Premium quality knives indisputably end up paying for themselves, but the aftercare of your knives is imperative. You need to make sure they are looked after properly in order to secure their endurance and maximise their cutting Performance. Here are a few ways in which you can help to prolong and protect your chefs knives...

Storage
Ensure you put your knives away with care, this will not only help to keep them sharp, but will also keep your kitchen organised and efficient. We stock a broad assortment of storage options including, magnetic knife holders, wallets and blade guards. 

Cutting 
Using the correct material of chopping board is absolutely vital. Stone, glass, ceramic or marble will severely blunt your knife from the very first use. Alternatively you should use a wooden or plastic board to guarantee a lower dulling effect on the cutting edge. The Hygiplas standard low density chopping board set is great for aiding the care of your knives and provides a compliant exterior for your knife make contact with. These particular boards are colour coded for easy classification and are designed to help abolish cross contamination.


Sharpening
After long-standing use, a knife’s cutting edge will tend to shape to one side of the blade which makes slicing more difficult. Honing your knives frequently with a steel will help to evade this and realign the blade. Sharpening is required on average twice a year. If you would like to do this yourself, sharpening tools are available. Alternatively you can get this completed by a professional. Here at Nisbets we offer a wide range of sharpeners, whet stones and steels from quality brands such as Buffalo, Vogue and Dick.

Cleaning 
Consistently clean your knives directly after use as many acidic foods can cause staining. Jantex washing up liquid will clear your knives of any grease and help to keep them in tip-top condition. After cleaning do not leave them to dry naturally. Drawn out exposure to water can lead to pitting problems which in time will result in corrosion.

Engraving
Tools can easily get misplaced or go astray in a lively kitchen and when you have put a lot of time and money into purchasing and looking after your knives the last thing you want to do is lose them. Engraving is a great way to brand your knives to avoid any confusion or losses.

By Eva Parks