Are non-stainless kitchen knives safe for food prep?

[afishhunter]

Considering the fact that carbon steel knives were used for 1,000 years or more, for food prep (along with cast iron cookwear and ((((gasp)))) wood cutting boards) and we are not extinct ... I would have to think it would be safe to use a carbon steel knife for food prep.
(When was "stainless steel" invented? 1930 something, wasn't it?)

 

[Phydeaux]

When I first started using carbon steel knives in the kitchen, the whole family notices the slight metallic taste. Nobody notices it anymore.

I use both stainless and carbon steel in the kitchen. Like them both.

Ric

 

[HwangJino]

When I first started using carbon steel knives in the kitchen, the whole family notices the slight metallic taste. Nobody notices it anymore.

I use both stainless and carbon steel in the kitchen. Like them both.

Ric

I'm guessing you carbon knife got darker, which means it has patina now.