News — kitchen knives

If your main goal is knife sharpness, then yes: high quality end grain wooden boards are usually the best option, keeping a well cared chef's knife sharper for around 20 to 30 percent longer than a similar knife used on plastic or glass. That said, a well made edge grain bamboo or acacia board, looked after properly, will still protect your knives for 5 to 10 years of regular home cooking. End grain vs other boards for knife sharpness End grain boards are made so the fibres of the wood stand upright, a bit like a bundle of drinking straws....

If you want to protect your knives for 5 to 10 years of regular home cooking, a medium hardness wooden board is best, and for most kitchens that means a Moso bamboo or acacia chopping board around 38x28cm to 45x35cm rather than very hard maple or soft plastic. How bamboo, acacia and maple actually treat your knife edge Your knife edge is only a fraction of a millimetre wide. Every time it hits a board, the surface either cushions it or flattens it. That is why the board material matters as much as the knife steel. Moso bamboo is a...

If you cook at home at least 3 times a week and want your knives to last 5 to 10 years, an end grain wood cutting board is usually better than a plastic cutting board for daily prep. End grain wood is kinder to your blades, can self heal from small cuts and, when looked after, can last more than 10 years, while most plastic boards need replacing every 1 to 3 years. End grain wood vs plastic: quick answer So, is end grain wood better than plastic cutting board options? For most home cooks, yes, as long as you...

If you are wondering what the best cutting board is for keeping knives sharper for longer, an end grain cutting board is usually the top choice, often helping quality blades hold their edge for 5 to 10 years with regular care. End grain boards let the knife slide between the wood fibres instead of straight into them, so your edge suffers far less wear with every chop. What is an end grain cutting board and why does it matter? An end grain cutting board is made so the ends of the wood fibres face upwards. Imagine looking at the rings...