Kitchen knives and wooden cutting boards are two of the often-used tools in the kitchen. It's important to choose good-quality knives and boards to make your prepping session easier. Wooden cutting boards are excellent choices as they keep your knife blades sharp unlike plastic ones. Care for them by coating them with mineral oil after washing and drying to prevent cracking and staining.

Another advantage of wooden cutting boards is that they can double as serving platters for an assortment of cheese and crackers, fruits and appetizers. Choose boards made from olive wood, acacia wood or bamboo with a beautiful grain so you can use them as serving platters.

Besides having a good set of kitchen knives and wooden cutting boards, it's essential to catch up on some basic kitchen skills. Before you start any prep work such as slicing veggies, stabilize your cutting board to keep it from slipping or moving. A nonskid rubber mat or an old placemat can be placed underneath it to keep it from moving.

All kitchen experts will agree that gripping the knife in the proper way can save you from kitchen accidents. The knife should be gripped securely around the handle and do not extend your forefinger along the blade, as this will decrease your control and speed. An excellent way of knowing whether you are holding the knife correctly is that you tend to use your upper arm and shoulder more to support the weight and to control the motion of the knife rather than your wrist and forearm. There are many tutorials, videos and tips available online to improve your knife skills.

The right way of cleaning and storing kitchen knives also extends their life. The best way to clean a knife is to wash it by hand with a sponge or a soapy dishcloth. Run the cloth or sponge gently from the top of the knife to the edge. If you're worried about cutting yourself, you can lay the knife flat on the countertop and wipe each side individually.

While storing kitchen knives, never keep them in drawers without a case. Loose knives knock around with other gadgets and tools in drawers which dulls the blade and you may also hurt yourself while reaching in the drawer. Use a knife block or a magnetic knife rack to properly store your knives.

Authors Profile: Gibson Jones is a certified interior designer and runs his own interior decoration consultancy. Gibson especially loves decorating a home in wooden furniture and believes that nothing gives a home as warm and cozy a touch as all-wood furniture and decor. Gibson loves reading up on new design ideas, and has a special interest in space saving techniques. Here Gibson writes about Kitchen Knives and Wooden Cutting Boards.