I’m gonna let you in on something I learned from experience. It requires discipline but I can promise you it works.
6 years ago…(wow I can’t believe it’s been that long)
I was freshly separated from my ex fiancée and I needed to purchase a knife set. Knowing how much I hated dull knives I set out to purchase a set and selected a set of mediocre Henkels from Canadian tire. I think one step above the bottom brand, nothing fancy but they were on sale. Being a bachelor and having bought an apartment that I was now funding entirely myself I made a vow to take care of my knives as best as I could.
6 years later, my knives are as sharp as the day I bought them and the reason why is simple,
1. never cut a single thing on anything other than a wood cutting board. (Chicken being the only exception, use a plastic cutting board, don’t ever use those stupid ceramic ones)
2. hand wash your knives with a brush and soap
3. Never put your knives in the sink.
that’s it. When I notice they seem to be getting more dull than razor sharp, i hone them, and they immediately go back to like new. I swear to god my knives 6 years later are dangerously sharp.