Improper use of the knife can lead to a dull edge or a damaged blade. The uses mentioned in the section above are only a few of the common improper uses. However, cutting on the wrong surface can also cause damage to your knife. Hard surfaces such as a metal table, glass, marble or stone can quickly dull a sharp blade and should never be used as a cutting surface. It is always better to use a proper cutting board (wood or plastic) or to choose a soft surface to cut on.