Merry Christmas from my little slice of heaven. If your watching my social media you'll know my husband Alex got me my dream kitchenaide mixer that Im completely obsessed with.
Were doing full Christmas with all the family tomorrow so its giving us a few days off together. Alex decided to cut himself a whole melon. He did it the savage way and about gave me a heart attack, so Im taking the next few moments to tell you about proper knife usage and best practices for your cutting board.
Good knife skills aren’t about looking flashy or cutting vegetables at lightning speed. They’re about control, safety, consistency, and efficiency. Whether you’re cooking at home or in a professional kitchen, mastering the basics will make your food cook more evenly—and keep your fingers attached.
Let’s break down the essentials: how to hold a knife, how to cut safely, and how to keep your cutting board from sliding all over the counter.
You don’t need a full knife roll to cook well. A few quality knives will cover most tasks:
Chef’s knife is generally 8–10 inches and its gonna be your everyday workhorse. A paring knife is for small, precise jobs.
The serrated knife is for bread, tomatoes, and citrus.
A sharp knife is safer than a dull one beacause dull knives require more force, which increases the chance of slipping. A good rule of thumb is if your knife can’t easily slice a tomato, it needs sharpening.
The Proper Grip means control over speed. After choosing the correct knife for the job this is the most important advice I could give you. The Pinch Grip is the Chef-Approved meaning you pinch the blade between your thumb and index finger just above the handle and wrap your remaining fingers around the handle.This grip gives you more control and precision than gripping the handle alone.
Your other hand needs protection too so the “claw” technique will protect your fingers. Your non-dominant hand should form a claw shape:
Curl fingertips inward; Knuckles guide the knife; Thumb stays tucked behind fingers; The blade should gently brush against your knuckles—not your fingertips. If the knife slips, it hits your knuckle, not your finger.
Let the Knife Do the Work
Avoid hacking or pressing straight down. Instead:
Use a rocking motion with a chef’s knife; Keep the tip of the knife in contact with the board; Lift the heel and slice forward.
Consistent motion leads to even cuts, which means even cooking.
A sliding cutting board is one of the biggest kitchen hazards—and one of the easiest to fix.
The Damp Towel Trick is the industry standard. Dampen a paper towel or kitchen towel;
Lay it flat on the counter; Place your cutting board on top; and That’s it. Your board isn’t going anywhere. Other Options: Non-slip silicone mats; Boards with rubber feet. If your board moves, stop and fix it before cutting.
Choose the Right Cutting Board
Wood (maple, walnut): Gentle on knives, great for vegetables and proteins
Plastic: Dishwasher-safe, good for raw meat
Avoid glass or marble: They destroy knives and increase slipping risk
Have separate boards for raw meat and produce to prevent cross-contamination.
Keep It Clean & Safe
Wash boards immediately after use; Sanitize boards used for raw meat; Replace boards with deep grooves—bacteria loves hiding there.
Knife skills aren’t about rushing—they’re about confidence and consistency. Slow down, focus on technique, and speed will come naturally. A stable cutting board, a sharp knife, and proper hand placement will: Reduce injuries; Improve food texture.
Make cooking more enjoyable
Because the best meals start with solid fundamentals.
As we wrap this up, I want to wish you happy holidays and continued blessings. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a full table, remember that good food starts with good fundamentals—and taking a few extra moments for safety makes every meal better.
Thank you for spending time here at The Linecook’s Table. I appreciate every read, share, and comment more than you know.
👉 Follow me on social media for:
Real-life kitchen tips
Diabetic-friendly recipes
Meal prep ideas
Behind-the-scenes cooking content
If this post helped you, share it with a friend, save it for later, and let me know what kitchen skill you want to learn next in the comments. Your support helps this community grow.
Stay blessed, keep cooking, and I’ll see you in the kitchen!!
Add comment
Comments