When you’re cooking dinner for you and your family, there’s nothing more frustrating than trying to slice and chop your food with a dull knife. Dull knives don’t only dull your ability to show off your knife skills in the kitchen, they’re surprisingly more dangerous than a sharp knife. A dull blade needs more pressure to cut, which increases the chance the knife will slip in your hand.   

One of the best ways to prevent dulling your knives is by using the proper cutting board. We’re going to dive into why your cutting board is so important to your knives’ longevity and what kind of cutting board is the most knife-friendly.

Why Sharp Knives are Important 

There are a few reasons why you want your knives to be sharp. Not only are sharper knives going to cut through your food better, making it easier for you and resulting in cleaner cuts, but sharper knives are safer to use than dull ones. It may seem counter-intuitive, but sharper knives require you to apply less pressure when cutting, moving through food with ease. When using a dull knife, you must apply more pressure which can lead to slipping and sloppy knife cuts. 

That’s why using a cutting board that will keep your knife sharper for longer is so essential.  

If you’re looking for sharp knives that will keep your kitchen style on point, we recommend our Baltique® Marrakesh Collection 6-Piece Steak Knife Set. This set features handles crafted from layers of colored birch wood and stainless steel blades perfect for serving juicy steaks, tender poultry or an array of vegetables. 

Which Cutting Surfaces to Avoid

Stainless steel is a hard material but because the knife’s edge is very fine, it’s also brittle. If your stainless steel knife meets a cutting surface that is harder than the knife itself, it will grow dull quicker. Just think of how many times your knife hits the cutting board when chopping an onion...chop, chop, chop...each one of those strikes is a chance for the board to dull your knife. For that reason, what your cutting board is made of has a huge impact on your knife.  

When it comes to food preparation, cutting boards made from glass, granite, marble or ceramic are not ideal for your knives. All these materials are much harder than steel and will cause knives to dull much quicker.  

Stainless steel cutting boards have become the most recent trend for their sleek, modern look and low-maintenance care. But like glass or marble, they’re tough on your knives and will make chopping and slicing harder over time.  

For your kitchen knife set’s longevity, look for a cutting board that is made of a material softer than steel, such as wood or plastic.  

The Most Knife-Friendly Cutting Boards

Wood, bamboo and plastic are soft materials that are perfect for knives. They all provide just the right amount of resistance while chopping, helping to protect your knives and reduce wear. These three materials might all be good for your knives, but that doesn’t mean they’re all created equal! 

Plastic is an incredibly soft material. So soft, in fact, that plastic boards scratch very easily. Your knives can leave cuts in the plastic where food can get stuck, which means they might need replacing more often than your trusty wood or bamboo board.  

The best cutting boards for your knives are wood and bamboo cutting boards. Unlike plastic, wood and bamboo are materials that are hard enough to protect their surfaces from scratches while soft enough to prevent dulling your knife.  

Bamboo is a bit denser and more durable than most wooden cutting boards, making them resistant to knife marks while still offering enough give to keep your blades sharp. Bamboo is a great choice for those who want a long-lasting, eco-friendly option. On the other hand, wood cutting boards provide a slightly softer surface, which is gentler on knives, helping to preserve their sharpness for longer. Both are great choices for your knives, and let’s be honest—whether bamboo or wood, they’re the most stylish way to prep in your kitchen! 

Our 3-Piece 2-Tone Cutting Board Set is the perfect place to start if you’re looking to purchase bamboo cutting boards for the first time. The set includes three different sized boards so that you can tackle any of your food prep needs.  

If you’re interested in entertaining and serving charcuterie, one of our acacia wood cutting boards, such as our TB Home® Cutting Board with Juice Groove, is perfect for slicing and serving all in one. The rich acacia wood adds a rustic, elegant touch to any occasion. 

If you’re looking to extend the life of your knife set, make sure you’re choosing the right cutting board. Shop our collection of cutting boards which offers a wide range of sizes and shapes, as well as a variety of materials such as bamboo and acacia wood. Your knives will thank you!