Even amateur cooks need sharp knives
Even if you aren't a professional chef, sharp knives are critical to efficient and safe slicing and dicing. Don't be scared of a sharp knife. You're actually more likely to hurt yourself using a dull one.
If you would magnify the dull knives that you've probably been using for years, you would see that the once sharp edge is actually folded over like the top of a soft serve ice cream cone. That's why you've been mashing your tomatoes rather than slicing through them. Those guys on infomercials selling you new knives don't have any special tricks, they just sharpen their cutlery. Once you start to do this too, you won't be able to imagine how you managed before. Suddenly, slicing tomatoes and peeling potatoes is less of a chore and you'll increase your odds of living to old age with all of your fingers in tact.
Ideally, you'll want to invest in a good set of knives to work with. But even cheap knives benefit from sharpening. The best way to do this is by using a pull through sharpener (find one anywhere kitchen products are sold) and a steel to get the angle of the blade just right. The steel is that tubular metal piece that often comes with knife sets. Using one can be a little tricky. I'll admit that I can't do it very well. If you're like me, a multi-stage pull through sharpener should get you through just fine until you get better at steel sharpening. Be sure to get one that will work on serrated knives, too.
How to keep your knives (and hands) safe
Proper storage is essential to keeping your knives sharp and your hands protected when searching through drawers. Never store knives loose in a drawer. Always cut on plastic, wood, or butcher block. Cutting on stone, glass, or (heaven forbid) you counter will do horrible things to your knives. Don't do it. Seriously.
There are many great and attractive options for knife storage to suit your needs and style.
-The Classic Knife Block: a solid block of wood or bamboo with slots designed to fit each knife perfectly. Keeps your edges safe from harm and keeps your hands away from the edges. Many knife sets come with a dedicated knife block, but universal blocks are available to fit standard sized knives.
-In-Drawer modular storage: racks made to fit into your cabinet drawers. They come in many materials and colors and can fit in anything from 12" drawers and larger. They work just like utensil dividers. These tend to work best for smaller pairing or steak knives and might not be a great option for your 10" chef's knife.
-Magnetic Blocks and Racks: love these. Magnetic strips are either fitted into solid wood blocks for a more traditional look or mounted to a rack on the wall. Racks give a totally modern look and are so easy to use. You'll never forget which slot in your knife block goes to which knife. Easy to see, easy to grab, easy to clean.
-Non-traditional Blocks: There are some other options out there for the more adventurous. My favorite is a knife block that features polypropylene rods instead of wooden slots. It allows you to put whatever knives you want into the block without being limited to the pre-formed slots. Totally cool.
Check out the shopping guide for suggested storage options.
Image Source:
Williams Sonoma, Wustof Classic 7-pc Knife Block set for $299. Buy it at http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/wusthof-classic-7-piece-knife-block-set/?catalogId=38&cm_src=AutoRel
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