All things come to an end. Time withers and leaves its mark as sharp becomes dull and things once prized for utility must be dismissed and replaced – the ageing subject of this article is that of knives, of course. Immediate questions arise: how do you tell when a blade’s best days are long behind it? What are the signs that old kitchen knives are still salvageable? And, where do you dispose of kitchen knives? Read on for answers to these questions among others.
How to restore old knives
Sometimes, even the most haggard-looking knives can be revitalised. And there’s no sense in putting a good blade down if all it requires is a touch of love and attention. Inspect your knife to ascertain its issues and their severity, and if you’re unsure, take it to a professional for an assessment – you might be surprised.
Common and curable ailments include rusting, chipping, bluntness, and even a broken handle. Problems such as these can ostensibly appear as lethal but might only be cosmetic. For example, a blade could be aggressively orange with rust, but if it’s just on the surface or even the top few layers, you can remove it with a short (between 5-15 minutes) and warm vinegar bath.
Chipping or dulling, too, are mendable with the help of a whetstone – we have a wonderful tutorial on how to use one here. For anything structural like a damaged or worn handle, we recommend always seeking a professional opinion before picking it up again. Depending on the severity of the issue, a repair service can fix loose rivets, chipping, rusting, or even a bent or broken tip.
How to tell when you need to dispose of your kitchen knife
Frankly, there is something admirable in the commitment to an object’s longevity. But when the sheer refusal to retire a blade leads to it being sharpened to resemble a boning knife more than a santoku, it might be time to quit.
A good indicator of a fatal issue is severity in any of the maladies mentioned above. For example, a slight warp or chip in a blade’s tip might not spell death, but if a substantial amount is missing or mangled, you may need to consider disposing of your knife. And rusting becomes a cause for concern when it permeates past the top layers and affects the structural integrity, compromising safety.
Where to dispose of kitchen knives
First and foremost, do not put kitchen knives in the bin. Even if you’ve wrapped it up to the best of your abilities, it’s better not to take the risk. Dull blades can cut through packaging when they’re agitated (like when rubbing against other items in a bin bag), which poses a serious risk to those handling your rubbish. With a plethora of safer options out there, it’s simply better to not.
Look for disposal services provided by your local council such as sharps boxes or knife bins – some even offer collection. Knife sharpeners and knife shops will often take old blades as they have the means and the knowhow for safe sharps disposal, and on occasion can recycle some of the components. You can also take your kitchen knife to your local police station or tip; both will have the appropriate facilities. In some cases, and if they’re in a suitable condition, charity shops will take kitchen knives – though not all take sharps donations, so be sure to call ahead and check.
Whichever option you choose, be sure to wrap it as safely as possible when transporting it to your disposal destination. Make sure the cutting edge is secured with a thick covering and the tip is covered with a cork.
In conclusion
In general, preventing your knife from weathering means it will last much longer, sometimes even a lifetime. When putting it away, make sure it isn’t directly touching any other solid objects by using a scabbard or a knife rack. And only use it for its designed purpose. To be blunt, the clue is in the name: ‘kitchen knife’, not ‘box cutter’ or ‘letter opener’. Bringing the blade into contact with objects it isn’t designed to go through like cardboard, metal, or glass will dull and chip it, dramatically shortening its lifespan.
Finally, if your blade truly has sung its swan song, don’t despair. You can treat yourself to a brand new knife, after all. Shop our range of handmade kitchen knives here.