Use good cutting boards. Wood or Composite Plastic -- I prefer wood. Bamboo is too hard on knives.

Steel in between sharpening to keep the edge.
Use a tomatoe or potatoe and you can feel when it's not sharp anymore.....

I tend to get OCD with my hobbies. Did a short stint up your way but could not find anything in my outlook *OCD contacts* . Chefs Toys come to mind however.