Knives are the most useful tool in any kitchen. It would be impossible to imagine a kitchen without a good knife. But they also are the most dangerous tool. This is what makes it important that one should handle them with caution. A knife is utilised in many ways but has to be well maintained and cared for.
A major component of the knife is its blade. The blade of a knife can either be forged or stamped. Forged blades are made of metal that has been heated and worked upon to form the shape of a knife. Machined or stamped blades on the other hand, have been cut out from sheets of metal, ground into shape and then heated. Knives with forged blades are better balanced, and remain sharper for a longer period of time. But they cost more than their stamped counterparts. But then, cost should not be put before safety.
A knife is after all a dangerous tool. It should be used for the sole purpose of cutting. Many people use knives to pry open cans, or instead of a screwdriver. This could prove to be dangerous and is advised against. A knife should always be sharp as the chances of cutting and injuring oneself is more with a blunt knife than a sharp one. The sharpness of knives reduces their resistance which enables them to cut through things with relative ease and least pressure. To avoid early degradation of the blade, the knives should be used more on a softer surface than a harder one. They should be stored separately from other utensils so as to avoid scratching or dulling of the blade.
The best way to store knives is by using a knife block. A block consists of different slots for each knife. This ensures separation between them. Knife blocks sometimes are prone to moist and mildew. To avoid this, one must thoroughly clean and dry the knife after use and before putting it into the rack.
A knife block helps in avoiding clutter in the cabinet space. It gives the kitchen a more organized look. It is also safer in the terms that you will not hurt yourself searching for knives that are kept with other utensils in the drawer. There are various designs available in the market these days. The customers can choose from the more stylish and sleek sets.
One of the more popular knife racks in the market is the ‘Voodoo knife block’. Designed by the Italian Designer Raffaelle Ianello, it looks like a man with knives inserted in him. The rack takes its name from the practice of voodoo, where pins were poked into dolls representing the human you wish to hurt. Ominous but creative! It is a definite talking point and an eye catcher. The block comes with a complete set of five stainless steel knives, each held in their place by magnets. The blades are protected by a frosted plastic sleeve that ensures safety. Now that is something that is worth the money. Go on and buy voodoo knife block for yourself today…
About the Author:
James Herts is the author of this article on Voodoo Knife Block.
Find more information about Voodoo Knife Rack here.