Kitchen Knife Care

Tips on how to keep Cutco knives performing like new forever.

These fine cutting tools are extremely sharp. As with any sharp instrument, use care to prevent injuries. Be sure sharp edges are pointed down or away from you when laying knives on the countertop or table, and always be aware of where the sharp edge of a knife is when picking up or handling the knives. Be aware that knives may come to rest with the sharp edge facing up. Never pick up, or attempt to pick up, a knife by its blade. Never hold foods in your hands while slicing. Keep all knives away from children.

Daily Care

Hand-wash knives

Although Cutco Cutlery is dishwasher safe, we recommend you carefully hand-wash your products in hot water, using a mild dishwashing liquid. Dry them after washing. Allowing items to soak in the dishwater may cause staining from the mineral content in some water.

If placing your cutlery in the dishwasher please be aware:
Keep safety in mind.
The edges can be damaged as they hit each other.
The cutlery can fall through the rack and become damaged resting on the heating element or getting caught in the washing mechanism.
The sharp edges of the cutlery can damage the protective plastic coating of the machine.
Lay your knives flat on the dishwasher rack. If you must put them in the flatware basket, do so with the points down so there's less chance of grabbing the blades while unloading.
Varying dishwasher detergent formulas and water mineral content can affect the resulting shine of your cutlery. If you choose to use the dishwasher, we recommend experimenting with different detergent brands, styles, rinse agents and softening additives (for harder water) to find the best combination for your dishwasher.

Keeping Knives Sharp

Cutting board

DO NOT cut on porcelain, glass or metal. These surfaces will quickly dull your knives. Use polypropylene cutting boards to keep knife edges sharp longer.
Never use your knife as a screwdriver or other mechanical tool.
To keep your knives sharp and keep their finish, store them in woodblocks, trays or storage sheaths.
DO NOT expose Cutco to open flames or other sources of intense heat. Excessive heat can destroy the temper of the steel blades and melt or burn the handles.

Sharpening Double-D® Recessed Edges

Double D

These products have a unique edge configuration: a series of three cutting edges with a concave grind. They are designed to stay sharp for many years under normal household use. When they do need sharpening, DO NOT use the Cutco Sharpener or any other sharpening service. It will ruin the special edge. Send them back to the Cutco factory. We will put a factory-fresh edge on each knife for you free of charge. You pay only a nominal shipping and handling fee.

Sharpening Straight-Edged Knives

Cutco knives with straight edges (Paring, Chef, Santoku, Boning, etc.) require periodic sharpening to maintain optimum performance. We recommend our Cutco Sharpener, but any sharpening stone, steel or other sharpening device may be used. As with all quality knives, we recommend that you regularly take the time to refresh the edge with the sharpener as soon as you notice the knife beginning to dull. You may also send these knives back to Cutco for free sharpening. You pay only a nominal shipping and handling fee. Or, for in-home service, contact us for a Certified Service Professional.

Stain Resistance

Cutco is made from high-carbon, stainless steel that is mirror or satin polished. However, occasional minor staining can result from contact with certain foods or where the household water has a high mineral content.
Should occasional stains appear, use a non-abrasive polishing compound such as Flitz®. Apply a small drop on a soft cloth and polish the stained area. Remove the excess Flitz with a dry cloth. Flitz can also be found in supermarkets and hardware stores.
Mayonnaise is extremely corrosive and should not be allowed to remain on the blades for an extended time.

Rivets

Cutco uses nickel-silver rivets to secure the handles to the tang. These rivets are strong, durable and can be polished to a mirror finish. Minor staining may occur over time. This can be easily removed with a non-abrasive cleaner such as Flitz®. Apply a small drop on a soft cloth. Polish the rivet and remove excess Flitz with a dry cloth.

How to Clean & Polish Handles

Cutco handles (Classic dark brown, Pearl white and Red) are made from a dishwasher-safe, thermo-resin that will not chip, crack or absorb moisture. Tests show that Pearl handles will resist most stains, including beet, pickle, cherry and grape juice. However, contact with some products such as mustard, food coloring and carrots may result in a slight discoloration. To remove these stains, clean gently with a mild, liquid abrasive cleanser and run through the dishwasher or use Flitz® (See tips under Stain Resistance). This will bring back their sheen and not harm the handles.