Knife Etiquette concerns basic manners and good behavior around knives.
One of the first things the cognoscenti will tell you is to "please not handle their knives" and with good reason. Your finger prints not only leave a smear on polished surfaces but those oils they leave behind are acidic and etch into materials over time. It does not take much handling or time to ruin the finish on a mirror polished high carbon steel blade. That is why museum personnel wear white cotton gloves when handling ancient artifacts. So a word to the wise, if its not your knife "hands off" or gloves on !
Always signal your intentions and ask before picking up another person's knife. This is just basic good manners
Never thumb the edge along its length to see if its sharp. This is common sense. Knives come in varying degrees of sharpness. Sometimes a knife can be so sharp you don't even feel it cut and if you thumb such a knife you stand a good chance of bleeding.
Don't return a dirty knife to its sheath without cleaning it first. As dirt and muck accumulates in a sheath it can harbor moisture, grit and acids which will damage the blade eventually.
Don't put any half way decent knife in a dishwasher. The heat, water and detergent acts in concert to accelerate the aging process for most raw materials. The water will work its way into raw materials swelling them and shrinking them until the joints are open.
Likewise, don't let your knives languish at the bottom of a sink of greasy washing up. Quite apart from the risk of opening a vein as you plunge your hands into the water its just bad for the knife. Better instead to wash rinse and dry your knife separately and in one sequence rather than leaving it soak for what might be hours.
Carry your knife in such a way that if you fall or have an accident you will not be inadvertently cut by it.
If you drop your knife do not attempt to catch it, just make sure you are out of the way so it won't stick you.
Never threaten or do harm to anyone with a knife !
Always make sure that your knife is as sharp as you can get it. A dull knife is a dangerous knife because you have to use more effort to cut with it and so the likelihood that you will loose control of it and it will slip is much greater.
Always cut in such a way as to minimize the possibility of cutting yourself should the knife slip. Avoid distractions and pay close attention to the task at hand.
Use the right knife for the job. Different knives are good at different tasks. Your knife is a cutting tool not a screw driver or prybar. Don't use your knife for opening cans unless its an emergency. Do not throw your knife unless it is purpose built for throwing.
Your knife is not a toy so never brandish it in a careless manner or make gestures mimicking those of an actor on stage or screen. Play acting is for actors, not real people with real knives.
When handing a knife to someone always present the handle toward them and not the blade.
A multi blade folder should not have more than one blade open at any one time. This places too much strain on the backspring and can damage it in time.
Knife Etiquette
