Dishwasher

In general cutlery should not be run through the dishwasher for several reasons. The detergents used are very strong degreasers so wood handles will be stripped of their natural oils causing them to split or crack. It is also dangerous in that someone else reaching into the machine may not realize or see the knife and get a wicked cut. The machines are designed to spray water at a relatively high pressure which can jostle the silverware and cause the knives to bang around and dull the edge.

Hand Washing

I recommend washing all knives by hand. I believe hand washing is gentler to the wood handles. The blades can be washed and dried immediately, and then the knife stored properly.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel knives require more care than stainless knives. Carbon steel knives have a tendency to react to highly acidic foods, which cause the steel to turn a dark gray to black if the acids are left on the blade. The best way to avoid this is to rinse and wipe the blade immediately after cutting the highly acid foods, then wipe the blade and go back to cutting. If the acids or water is left on the blade they may cause some dark spots or even small rust spots. If this happens, it can be easily remedied with a green scotch bright pad and a little soap. First, place the flat of the blade on a flat surface like a cutting board (see figure 1). Next, apply a small quantity of soap on the scotch brite along with a little water. Now you can scrub the blade with confidence. If you scrub the blade without placing it on a flat surface, you could cut through the sponge and possibly cut yourself.

Wood Handles

To me, wood handles have a much nicer feel in the hand than plastic or metal handles but they require more care. I suggest never soaking your knives in water, especially if they have wood handles. Soaking your knives in water can make the wood swell and possibly crack. It's best to gently wash the handle with a mild soap, rinse, and dry. If you notice that the wood seems to be drying out, you can apply a small quantity of "Tried and True Danish oil with a paper towel. This product is made from polymerized linseed oil without any heavy metals or petroleum products added which makes this product 100% food safe. You can get this product through Lee Valley tools or on line. Thanks to Chris Harris for this great tip ! Let this soak in for 20 minutes and wipe off the excess. This should keep your handles looking good for many, many years.