Knife cleaning
Whether in the kitchen, during a trek or a DIY project, a knife can be used to cut different kinds of objects and materials. Each knife requires special care to be effective when needed the most. For example, it must be cleaned after use and it must be sharpened regularly.
These cleaning and sharpening processes depend essentially on the type of the knife blade. It is therefore necessary to know what material the blade is made of in order to apply the appropriate care to it.
Generally, the blade is made from ceramic, stainless steel and carbon steel. Regardless of the main element with which the blade was made, it is always preferable to manually clean the knife without using the dishwasher.
The ceramic knife is the easiest to maintain
The ceramic knife is hard, yet not suitable for all purposes. It is better to use it to cut vegetables and not meat except for fillet. It is not recommended to use a ceramic knife directly on stainless steel, glass, stone or ceramics.
After each use, it can be cleaned with water and allowed to air dry freely because it is not corrosive. Generally, it should not require sharpening. But, if you feel that your ceramic knife should, a special sharpener should be used. All the accessories to take care of your knife are on Khurts.com.
A stainless steel knife requires some special care
As the name suggests, this type of knife does not usually oxidize. However, care must be taken to prolong its life. In order to maintain it, try not to use too aggressive cleaners so as not to damage it. Clean it with a mild soap and warm water after each use, dishwashing liquid is not at all recommended. Do not leave it to dry in the open air but wipe it with a cotton cloth.
For the honing, it is recommended to use a fine stone that is very abrasive.
A carbon steel knife requires some precautions
This type of knife does not have any elements that protect it from oxidation, some precautions are the required for its durability. It is advisable to dry wipe it with a simple cloth, without using water. You can also use a soaked cloth if you wish. In this case, limit its contact with water as much as possible so that your knife won't rust. Do not let it soak in water or dry outdoors. Avoid aggressive cleaning products such as dishwashing liquid and store it in a dry place.
You can sharpen it with a fine grain stone.
Some home remedies that can give your knife back its luster
A few folks remedies can help to maintain a knife if used properly. Potatoes, for example, contain starch which acts as a rust inhibitor. Rinse and dry your knife after carefully applying the potato starch to the blade. Heated white vinegar can also clean a blade well. Simply rub it with a cloth soaked in this substance and wipe it with another clean cloth afterwards.
