Before you cut any corn, you should shuck the husk (this is the green leaves wrapped around the ear of corn) and remove silky strings. The closer to cooking time you can husk the corn, the fresher it will taste. Wash the corn on the cob under cool running water to remove any remaining dirt.
You can cut the corn kernels off the cob either pre- or post-cooked, however, it is much easier to handle while it is raw and cool to touch.
While holding on to one end of the ear of corn, place the other end in a bowl, on a cutting board or baking pan. Using a sharp kitchen knife, and slowly slice down the ear from the top to the bottom. The kernels will fall off the cob.
Rotate the ear of corn and repeat the same cutting action. Do this until you have removed all of the Kernels.