A handcrafted knife is one of the few kitchen tools that can last a lifetime—if you treat it like one.
You spent time choosing the right knife. You appreciate how it feels in your hand, how effortlessly it glides through ingredients, and how it transforms everyday cooking into something enjoyable.
Then dinner ends.
The temptation is simple: toss everything into the dishwasher and move on.
Unfortunately, that's one of the fastest ways to shorten the life of a premium kitchen knife.
Industry experts, chefs, and custom knife makers overwhelmingly agree: high-quality kitchen knives should always be washed by hand. (Southern Living)
Your Knife Deserves Better Than a Dishwasher
Think about what happens during a dishwasher cycle.
High heat.
Powerful detergents.
Constant moisture.
Metal utensils colliding together.
It's the perfect environment for damaging the very tool you rely on every day.
Your knife may come out looking clean, but with every cycle you're gradually sacrificing the edge, finish, and longevity of the blade. (Southern Living)
What Actually Happens Inside the Dishwasher?
Your Edge Becomes Dull Faster
A handcrafted edge is incredibly precise.
Inside the dishwasher, knives bounce against plates, silverware, racks, and cookware. Those repeated impacts gradually dull the edge long before the steel itself wears out. (Southern Living)
The benefit of hand washing:
Your knife stays sharper longer, meaning less sharpening, cleaner cuts, and better performance every time you cook.
Heat and Moisture Take Their Toll
Even premium stainless steel isn't immune to prolonged exposure to heat and moisture.
High temperatures, steam, and harsh detergents can affect the blade's finish and, over time, contribute to corrosion or rust—especially if moisture remains trapped around the handle or fasteners. (Southern Living)
The benefit of hand washing:
Your knife maintains its beauty, performance, and finish for years instead of months.
Handles Can Suffer Too
Whether your knife features premium G10, stabilized wood, or another handle material, repeated dishwasher cycles expose it to unnecessary thermal stress.
Over time, constant expansion and contraction can weaken adhesives, affect fit and finish, and reduce the lifespan of the handle assembly. (Southern Living)
The benefit of hand washing:
The knife continues to feel just as solid and comfortable as the day you bought it.
It's Safer for You
A sharp knife hidden beneath cloudy dishwater or loose inside a dishwasher isn't just bad for the knife—it's dangerous for anyone loading or unloading it.
Hand washing immediately after use keeps both you and your blade protected. (Southern Living)
The Right Way to Clean Your Knife
Fortunately, proper care only takes a minute.
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Wash immediately after use with warm water and a mild dish soap.
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Use a soft sponge, cleaning carefully from the spine (the unsharpened edge) toward the cutting edge.
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Rinse thoroughly.
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Dry completely with a soft towel.
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Store your knife on a magnetic knife block, magnetic strip, or individual blade protector. (Southern Living)
Treat It Like an Heirloom
Most kitchen gadgets are replaceable.
A handcrafted knife shouldn't be.
The more you care for it, the more it rewards you—with effortless cuts, dependable performance, and the quiet confidence that comes from using a tool built with intention.
Every scratch tells a story.
Every meal adds another memory.
And one day, if cared for properly, it may become the knife someone else in your family reaches for.
The Middleton Way
At Middleton Made Knives, we don't build knives to last until the warranty expires.
We build them to become part of your family's story.
A minute spent hand washing your knife today helps preserve decades of craftsmanship tomorrow.
Because the finest knives aren't disposable.
They're worth caring for.
Final Thoughts
A dishwasher may save a few minutes today, but hand washing preserves years of performance.
If you've invested in a quality knife, give it the same level of care that went into making it.
Your edge will stay sharper.
Your knife will look better.
And every meal will begin with a tool that's ready to perform exactly as it was intended.
Further Reading
This article was inspired in part by guidance from chefs, knife makers, and experts featured in Southern Living's discussion on proper kitchen knife care. (Southern Living)