Cut Above the Rest: Sharp Secrets to Knife Care

While all Schmidt Brothers knives come razor-sharp, it is essential that they (or any knife you may be reaching for) are maintained once they land in your hands. Without proper knife maintenance, you may find your knife blades becoming dull, the wood handles splintering, among other unfortunate occurrences.

With that said, here are some essential tips for maintaining your knives so that they last you for years to come!

1. Hand wash your knives. At Schmidt Bros., we never ever recommend using the dishwasher for premium cutlery.  The dishwasher can dull and discolor the blades, as well as warp, splinter, or dry out wood handles. Even if you purchase a knife set without wooden handles, always handwash your knives. 
2. Don’t leave your dirty knives in the sink. Run some quick soap and scrub over them to avoid bacteria from lingering.
3. Use soft sponges. Hand wash your knives with warm soapy water and make sure not to use abrasive sponges. Abrasive sponges may scratch or dull the knife. 
4. Completely dry your knives. Don’t let them air dry! Dry as soon as you have cleaned them. We recommend using a microfiber towel or paper towels. 
5. Sharpen your knives. Use our Two-Stage Knife Sharpener once a week to hone your knives, and do a full sharpening once a month. Remember: the sharper the knife, the safer the knife!
6. Use a mineral oil once a week on the wooden handles. This will keep the wood from splintering, dulling, and warping. 
7. Store your knives in a knife block or a magnetic wall bar. We don’t recommend storing your SBC knives in drawers. While it sounds like a good idea on paper, as you can keep the knives away from children. However, keeping your knives in drawers with other tools can lead to them possibly breaking or dulling over time. Because of this, we recommend using one of our sleek storage solutions, so that your knives remain sharp and shiny for years to come.