When sharing a knife, where should the knife be placed for the recipient to pick it up?

• A. On a sanitized surface, and let them pick up by the handle
• B. Gripped by the blade and handed blade-first
• C. Passed with the tip pointing toward the recipient
• D. Slid under the plate

Answer: (A)

In safe knife handoffs, you control the blade by delivering the tool in a way that keeps the sharp edge away from people while the recipient has a secure grip. Placing the knife on a sanitized surface and letting the recipient pick it up by the handle creates a stable, clear transfer: you don’t risk cutting yourself or them by handing over a sharp blade directly, and they can take hold of the handle for a firm, controlled grip.

Other methods introduce unnecessary risk: gripping the blade and handing it blade-first puts fingers near the sharp edge and invites slips; passing with the tip toward the recipient creates a pointed edge that could poke or injure; sliding it under a plate is unsanitary and awkward, making the transfer unsafe and disruptive.