Maintaining your kitchen knives requires frequent sharpening, careful cleaning, and storage so you may use them securely and productively for many years. However, even properly maintained kitchen knives eventually need to be replaced. Determine whether your knife can be repaired or whether a new one is necessary, regardless of whether it has a dull edge, corroded surface, cracked blade, or broken handle.
Read also: Things That Are Making Your Kitchen Look Clustered
Signs You Need to Replace Your Knives
The tip of the blade is broken
Although minor scratches and flaws in your blade can be fixed, more significant damage usually indicates that a replacement is necessary. Professionals who sharpen knives may quickly fix minor scratches and chips by refinishing and polishing the edge. “In some cases, significant chips are covered by a knife’s manufacturer warranty.” A good bladesmith can restore or reshape a knife blade that is shattered by less than one-third of its length, but if your favorite knife is damaged more than that, it’s time to get a new one.
The Handle Is Broken
Replace a knife with a broken handle, especially if it needs to be held together with tape or another temporary glue. This could be a serious safety concern. When utilizing the knife, you don’t want to run the chance of it slipping out of your hands.
On the other hand, a handle that is only slightly shaky can usually be saved. I would advise getting a new knife if the handle breaks. If you take it to a reputable cutler, the loose handle can be easily fixed.
The Blade Doesn’t Stay Sharp
While frequent sharpening might enhance your ability to cut and cut, a blade that is no longer able to maintain a sharp edge is nearing the end of its useful life. A sharp knife is a safe knife. Avoid keeping your knives in a drawer with a variety of utensils if at all possible. The knife’s overall effectiveness may be impacted since the blade is more likely to sustain dents and scratches from being jostled around when the drawer is opened and closed.
The Blade Is Rusty
A short clean and polish will remove minor rusting, but anything more pronounced could indicate that the integrity of your knife has been damaged. To prevent the rust from contaminating your meal, you should replace the knife if this is the case. However, with time, some premium carbon steel knives may develop a natural patina that is nontoxic and gives the blade character.
It’s the Wrong Size
Whether the knife is too large or too little for your hands, replace it if it is painful to use. Before choosing a set to take home, we advise you to consult a specialist and try out a range of knives because the ones that are ideal for your friend might not fit your hand or cooking style.
Read also: Common Kitchen Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid