Why Kitchen Knives Go Dull: 5 Mistakes to Avoid

Sharp knives are crucial to safe and efficient food prep. Unfortunately, many people unwittingly make mistakes that quickly dull their kitchen knives. A dull knife presents two potential downsides. First, it slows down food preparation work; second, it makes it more likely you'll wind up with a cut or injury. Our guide covers common reasons why blades get dull, how you can properly maintain them, and the best ways to keep knives sharp enough.

Hands holding a knife and a honing steel, demonstrating the sharpening process on a wooden surface.

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Common Mistakes That Dull Your Knives

Why do blades get dull? There are many potential answers to this question, and you might be making these mistakes without even knowing it.

1. Using the Wrong Cutting Surface

Using a hard-cutting surface is a quick way to ruin the sharp edge of your knife. Ceramic, marble, and What is a paring knife used for? much faster than high-caliber plastic or wooden boards that will maintain the edge of a knife longer.

Close-up of gloved hands slicing raw meat on a white cutting board with a silver knife.

2. Storing Knives Improperly

You must practice proper knife storage to keep your blades sharp. Putting knives in a drawer without any protection risks them rubbing against other utensils, and the results will be dull edges and nicks.

Overhead shot of a cluttered wooden drawer filled with various kitchen knives.

3. Skipping Regular Honing and Sharpening

Sharpening removes material from a knife to make a new edge, but honing can realign the current blade. Many home cooks skip both and wind up with dull knives that complicate cutting tasks.Maintaining knives with whetstones and routine honing rod use keeps your knife blades working effectively.

Close-up of a knife being sharpened on a green and white Seido sharpening stone on a wooden base.

4. Washing Knives in the Dishwasher

Do dishwashers dull knives? In many cases, the answer can be yes. These appliances make it easy to clean and sterilize kitchenware, but the combination of harsh detergents, water pressure and high heat can degrade the sharpness of a blade. Handwash your knives using mild soap before immediately drying them if you want to prevent rust and dulling.

5. Using the Wrong Knife for the Task

Every knife has a specific purpose behind its design. Chopping dense vegetables with a paring knife or cutting through bones with a chef's knife can damage or dull these blades. For instance, our Japanese chef knives feature extremely delicate and sharp edges; precision use is necessary to help their longevity.

Close-up of chef's hands holding and slicing raw pork chops on a wooden cutting board with a knife.

How to Keep Your Knives Sharp Longer

Knowing the mistakes you should avoid is a good first step, but you also need to know how to keep your knives sharp for longer periods of time.

Best Cutting Boards for Knife Longevity

High-quality wooden or soft plastic cutting boards are the best choices to preserve sharpness. Bamboo is an effective choice for durability and is a bit softer compared to traditional wood if you want to reduce wear on your blades.

Hands slicing white fish on a large, patterned wooden cutting board with a silver knife

Proper Knife Storage Tips

Use a knife block to keep blades safely separated. A magnetic strip also prevents contact with other kitchen utensils. If you must resort to drawer storage, knife guards can prevent dulling.

Honing vs. Sharpening: What You Need to Know

Knowing how to sharpen a knife is a very useful skill to master; honing is another handy thing to learn. Both serve different purposes. Honing is something you should do every few uses, but sharpening should happen every few months, utilizing knife sharpening tools such as a professional sharpener or whetstone.

Cleaning Knives the Right Way

Wash your knives immediately after using them. Do so by hand with warm water and mild soap; dry them thoroughly so that they don't rust in storage. Never let them soak for extended periods in water because of the potential damage to both the handle and blade.

Hands wiping a silver knife with a paper towel on a wooden cutting board.

Prevent Dull Knives With These Pro Tips

Why is it unsafe to use a dull knife? At best, it will slow down your kitchen work. At worst, it can result in cuts or injuries. Follow our tips above to help your knives last longer and keep them sharp well into the future.

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