News — knife care

If you care about your knives, you should care just as much about what you are cutting on. At Deer & Oak we spend a slightly embarrassing amount of time talking about chopping boards and knife edges, so let us put acacia and bamboo to the test for you. Why board material matters for knife sharpness Your chopping board is in contact with your knife far more than any ingredient. Every slice, chop and gentle rock of the blade either protects that edge or slowly grinds it away. The ideal board is a bit like a good mattress. Firm enough...

If you care about your knives, you should care just as much about what you are cutting on. A good chopping board is not just a pretty bit of kitchen kit. It is the thing that decides whether your knives stay sharp and satisfying to use, or end up dull and ragged long before their time. So when it comes to the best chopping boards for knife care: bamboo, carbonised or acacia, which should you choose? Let’s break it down in plain English, with a few practical tips you can use straight away. What actually makes a board knife friendly?...

If you have ever sharpened your favourite chef’s knife on Sunday, only to find it dragging through a tomato by Wednesday, your chopping board could be the culprit. Among wooden options, bamboo and carbonised bamboo are two of the most popular choices in British kitchens. But when it comes to everyday use, which chopping board is gentler on knives? What is the difference between bamboo and carbonised bamboo? Let’s clear this up first, because the names sound more dramatic than the reality. Standard bamboo is pale, with a light golden colour and visible bamboo grain. It is made by pressing...

If you care about your knives, your chopping board matters just as much as the steel itself. A good bamboo board will protect your knife edge, feel lovely to use and look smart on your worktop. A bad one will blunt your blades, stain easily and end up lurking at the back of a cupboard. So how do you find the best bamboo cutting boards for knife edge protection: top UK picks that are genuinely kind to your knives? Let’s walk through what to look for and a few boards we rate highly. Why your cutting board affects knife sharpness...