Virtually everyone uses a cutting instrument at least once a day. Whether it's kitchen cutlery, a pocketknife, or a pair of scissors, we count on these tools to slice, peel, and cut a variety of objects. All too often, though, we use knives in ways they weren't intended, and we neglect to properly maintain them. When you use the wrong cutting instrument for the job at hand or fail to keep it sharp, it not only loses its effectiveness, but it can also become dangerous. Here, then, are some guidelines to selecting and maintaining your kitchen knives, scissors, and other cutting instruments.

Kitchen Cutlery: There are three important components to remember about kitchen knives. First, view kitchen cutlery as an investment that will last a lifetime and invest in the best you can afford. Second, use the right knife for the right job. Third, keep your kitchen knives sharp.

Kitchen knives are shaped according to the job they're designed for. A paring knife, for example, is short and gives you control for small, precise jobs like peeling and trimming fruits and vegetables. A boning knife, on the other hand, is longer and narrower, with a pointed blade that is used for working around joints. A bread knife's serrated edge is meant to slice through hard crusts or soft pastries, whereas a carving knife features the long blade necessary for slicing thin pieces of meat. The chef's knife is the piece of cutlery that is central to the slicing and dicing needed for almost all food preparation.

Since fine cutlery is an investment, it's important to put effort into maintaining it. To this end, always wash kitchen knives by hand, since dishwashers can damage the handles and hurt the blades. Similarly, store your knives in a wooden block or wall magnet. If you store your knives in a drawer, be sure they have plastic covers that will protect the blades. Most importantly, sharpen the blades often. This not only makes them more effective cutting instruments, but also makes them safer to use. A dull knife invites accidents because you have to apply additional pressure in order to cut, which increases the likelihood that your hand will slip.

Scissors: First, it's important to note the difference between scissors and shears. Scissors are typically a maximum of six inches long and have identical finger rings on the handle. Shears, on the other hand, are longer than six inches and have one finger ring that is larger than the other.

Like knives, some scissors and shears are designed for a specific use. In order to maintain their integrity, it's important not to use them for other applications. For example, sewing shears should always be used to cut fabric, and never be used to cut paper. Likewise, scissors designed to cut hair should be only used for hair.

Maintaining scissors in good condition involves wiping them down with a dry cloth after each use and occasionally oiling the screw at the base of the blades. Unlike knives, which you can sharpen yourself, it's best to leave the sharpening of scissor blades to the professionals. At the same time, they can also adjust the screw as necessary to keep the blades in proper relation to one another.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Home and Garden Website and Majon's Home and Garden directory.