Why Kitchen Knives Become Dull

  • OCT4, 2024

  • The Hidden Enemy of Your Knife

    Why does your kitchen knife seem to lose its edge so quickly? Many assume it’s the food being cut—but in reality, the biggest culprit is the cutting board itself. Every strike against the board gradually rounds off the delicate edge of your blade.

  • The Impact in Numbers

    Surprising research reveals just how much difference the cutting board makes:

    • You can peel a daikon radish 10,000 times with almost no damage.
    • Yet just 400 chops on a cutting board can significantly dull your knife.

    This explains why peelers and slicers—tools that don’t rely on cutting boards—often stay sharp much longer.

  • Everyday Habits That Harm Your Knife

    It’s not only chopping. Small daily actions also accelerate dullness:

    • Scraping food off the board with the edge of your knife
    • Sliding the blade sideways across the board
    • Forcing the blade through frozen or overly hard foods

    Each of these seemingly harmless actions chips away at the life of your knife.

  • Choosing the Right Cutting Board

    Your cutting board makes all the difference:

    • Best Choice: Soft woods such as ginkgo or hinoki, which cushion the blade.
    • Avoid: Hardwoods, glass, or metal boards—they damage edges in no time.

  • Maintenance That Truly Matters

    Quick fixes like honing rods or roll sharpeners only delay the inevitable. To restore sharpness, you must:

    • Sharpen on a whetstone until a proper burr is raised
    • Repeat regularly to maintain the correct edge geometry

  • Cutting Technique for Longevity

    • Recommended: A smooth sliding or drawing motion
    • Avoid: Loud, repetitive chopping that hammers the edge against the board

  • Conclusion: Respecting Your Knife, Elevating Your Cooking

    A sharp knife isn’t just safer and more efficient—it transforms cooking into a smoother, more enjoyable experience. By choosing the right board, avoiding damaging habits, and practicing mindful sharpening, you extend not only the life of your knife but also the joy it brings to every meal. In the end, caring for your knife is a way of caring for your craft.

Before Using a Knife

A knife is more than a tool—it’s the heart of cooking. Learning how to use it properly helps protect its quality, durability, and safety, so you can enjoy it for years while elevating every meal.

Before Using a Knife

Daily Care of a Japanese Knife

With the right daily care, your knife will stay sharp and reliable for a long time. Here, we share the key points to keep it in peak condition and extend its lifespan.

Daily Care of a Japanese Knife

After-Sales Service

At KIREAJI, we ensure your knife can be cherished for years with our dedicated after-sales service, provided by the Shiroyama Knife Workshop. For repairs or maintenance, please apply through the link below.

After-Sales Service

The Soul of Craftsmanship

  • The Essence of Strength: The Mission That Drives a Craftsman

    True strength is not defined by physical power or technical mastery alone. It is born from a sense of mission—a purpose that runs deeper than the blade itself. As traditional Japanese knife craftsmen, we forge each knife with a singular goal: to reveal the essence of ingredients and honor the spirit of those who prepare them.

  • When we hammer steel, sharpen edges, and breathe life into every blade, we carry an awareness of the responsibility entrusted to us. A knife is not merely a tool; it is a bridge—linking the hand of the craftsman to the hand of the chef, and ultimately to the joy of those who gather around the table. To fulfill this mission, we pursue perfection tirelessly, never compromising on the integrity of our craft.

  • The strength born of this mission is not solitary. It resonates with the chef who feels confidence in their hand, and it culminates in the smiles of those who share the meal. Within every Japanese knife we create, we hope you can sense this strength—quiet yet unshakable, forged from devotion.

  • Strength is not about domination or force. It is about holding steadfast to the mission that lies within your heart. This is the essence of tradition, and the pride we pass down through generations of craftsmanship.

KIREAJI's Three Promises to You

  • japanese_knife_made_in_Sakai

    1. Forged in the Legacy of Sakai

    From Sakai City—Japan’s renowned birthplace of professional kitchen knives—each blade is crafted by master artisans with over six centuries of tradition. Perfectly balanced, enduringly sharp, and exquisitely finished, every cut carries the soul of true craftsmanship.

  • 2. Thoughtful Care for Everyday Use

    Every knife includes a hand-fitted magnolia saya for safe storage. Upon request, we offer a complimentary Honbazuke final hand sharpening—giving you a precise, ready-to-use edge from day one.

  • 3. A Partnership for a Lifetime

    A KIREAJI knife is more than a tool—it is a lifelong companion. With our bespoke paid aftercare services, we preserve its edge and beauty, ensuring it remains as precise and dependable as the day it first met your hand.