KNIFE BASICS

CLEANING TIPS

Clean a knife by hand right after use, and dry promptly. Never put a knife in the dishwasher. It will dull the blade and may harm the handle.

THE KNIFE

A good knife can save you time and money. One high-quality knife—with proper care—can last longer than a half-dozen cheap ones. If you have just one knife in your kitchen, choose a chef’s knife. This is an all-purpose knife, usually with a 20cm blade, that can perform most cutting tasks. You may also want to own a paring knife, which is a smaller knife used for detailed cuts, and a serrated knife, which is ideal for slicing bread and slippery vegetables, such as tomatoes.