| > | | | | that you keep your knives sharp and in good |
| If you have a beautiful set of cutlery you will | | | | order. This is because you will cut yourself worse |
| want to make sure that you are taking care of it | | | | with a dull knife. You will need to use more force |
| properly. Depending on the materials that the | | | | and if the knife slips and cuts you it can be very |
| pieces are made out of, and what their shape is | | | | bad. You can use a dremel tool or have your |
| will influence how they must be cared for. | | | | knives professionally sharpened. You will need a |
| Common materials used in the manufacture of | | | | steel to run the sharpened blade along to bring it |
| modern cutlery include stainless steel and sterling | | | | back into alignment. |
| silver. There are others but these are two of the | | | | Forks are fairly easy to care for. When washing, |
| most common. They are popular because they | | | | make sure that you are getting all the food debris |
| can be shaped into different patterns and are | | | | from the insides of the tines. This can be easier |
| easy to care for although each material does | | | | with a two tined carving fork but is important |
| have its own particular needs. | | | | with all forks. |
| Sterling silver will react with air and become dark | | | | Before you put the fork away, take a quick look |
| and dull. This oxidized layer on the surface of the | | | | at the tines and make sure that they are not |
| metal is called tarnish. Many of us can remember | | | | bent or twisted. This can be a problem with some |
| being forced to polish the silver using chemical | | | | forks that are made out of softer metals such as |
| goop and a cloth in time to get ready for Sunday | | | | pewter. If there are any problems gently try and |
| dinner. There is good news. The more it is used, | | | | bend them back into position. Also check the |
| the less it will tarnish. It should also be stored in a | | | | angle of the fork to the handle as this is also |
| case or drawer with a special lining. Stainless steel | | | | where some bending can occur. |
| will not tarnish but you need to make sure that it | | | | Spoons may bend at the point where the bowl |
| is thoroughly dry to prevent it from forming | | | | meets the stem. Take a look and make sure that |
| water spots. | | | | this has not happened. If it has, gently and slowly |
| The way you care for a knife depends mainly on | | | | bend the spoon back into shape. If your spoon |
| whether it has a serrated or a smooth blade. | | | | has a handle that is not attached to the tang you |
| Serrated blades have a scalloped edge and are | | | | need to make sure that you do not snap the top |
| very sharp. However, should they become dull | | | | of the spoon off the handle. All cutlery pieces |
| they cannot be sharpened again. Steak knives | | | | should be thoroughly dry before it is put in the |
| often have serrated edges as do some bread | | | | drawer. |
| knives. You want to make sure you are not | | | | Caring for your cutlery pieces may take a little |
| cutting metal or other very hard materials as this | | | | time but it can make the pieces last longer and |
| can destroy a serrated blade. | | | | work better. Because good, high-quality cutlery |
| A knife with a non serrated blade can be | | | | sets can be expensive, taking the time can save |
| sharpened repeatedly. You need to make sure | | | | you money in the long run. |