Are old colored etched knife blades food safe?

O

Oldnretired

Joined
Jan 12, 2024
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Hello...I have an old Anton Wingen Jr. steak knife with colored etching on the blade and am wondering if anyone knows what they used to color in the etching? I would like to use it but don't know if toxins will leach out of the coloring. Mankind has known since Roman/Greek times that lead is bad for you but kept using it in hollow silverware knife handles, in paint etc. etc. until just recently historically speaking.
I would include a picture but "insert link"?
 
As a registered user, you can post pictures using a picture hosting site. I use Imgur, but there are others. Once you have uploaded a picture to the hosting site, copy the web address of the picture. Note: picture web addresses must end in .jpg or .gif

Then go to your post and click the image tool on the toolbar next to the smiley tool. Click the link icon in the popup. (Looks like a chain.) Paste the picture address into the window. Then click the INSERT button.
 
knarfeng said:
As a registered user, you can post pictures using a picture hosting site. I use Imgur, but there are others. Once you have uploaded a picture to the hosting site, copy the web address of the picture. Note: picture web addresses must end in .jpg or .gif

Then go to your post and click the image tool on the toolbar next to the smiley tool. Click the link icon in the popup. (Looks like a chain.) Paste the picture address into the window. Then click the INSERT button.
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No, I like to keep things simple. A hosting site instead of directly to the forum?
I am able to post pictures on other forums without a hosting site. Thanks for the information but I'll just forgo posting pictures here then.
 
I don't think we're supposed to use the word "colored" anymore.

Sam⚔️⚔️

Oldnretired said:
Hello...I have an old Anton Wingen Jr. steak knife with colored etching on the blade and am wondering if anyone knows what they used to color in the etching? I would like to use it but don't know if toxins will leach out of the coloring. Mankind has known since Roman/Greek times that lead is bad for you but kept using it in hollow silverware knife handles, in paint etc. etc. until just recently historically speaking.
I would include a picture but "insert link"?
Click to expand...
 
Oldnretired said:
So I gather, no answers to the question? That's Ok.
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From what I’ve seen of their kitchen knives, I would not think the etching is toxic.

Edit: except the green color. That stuff will kill you five times before you hit the ground.
 
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The way I look at it, unless someone has some sort of official literature from Anton Wingen Jr. stating exactly what they used to color the blades, you'll never know for sure. And I'd be surprised if Anton Wingen Jr. ever mentioned exactly what they used in any catalog, etc.

I mean, if I told you it was safe, but I didn't have any proof to back it up, would you bet your health on my say-so?

As long as the "paint" wasn't flaking off into the food, I personally wouldn't worry about it, but that's me, and I live dangerously :cool: .
 
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Rollercoasters are painted!

If you are using the knife before properly cooking the product, you might be fine.

Otherwise, like a Rollercoaster and bad food, you might throw up or 💩 yourself.
 
H21451-L288838901_original.jpg

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I'm guessing it's a set like that.

A) No one's ever asked before.
B) I can't say I've seen many used in 30+ years of collecting, they were mostly just displayed.
C) The gold is gold leaf, which is generally considered safe. I don't know what the colored enamels are, but they're tough stuff.
D) I also think it may matter the year of production. They made those sets well into the 80's, by then food safety was a thing.
 
tltt said:
H21451-L288838901_original.jpg

.

I'm guessing it's a set like that.

A) No one's ever asked before.
B) I can't say I've seen many used in 30+ years of collecting, they were mostly just displayed.
C) The gold is gold leaf, which is generally considered safe. I don't know what the colored enamels are, but they're tough stuff.
D) I also think it may matter the year of production. They made those sets well into the 80's, by then food safety was a thing.
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Yes very similar to that set. I'm going to go ahead and not worry about it. I've been exposed to many bad toxins in my life and I'm still here. I doubt what little I might absorb from cutting food with old knives will matter in the long run.
I like vintage/antique things and use them. It makes me feel connected to history which puts a smile on my face.
Old chisels and an old bit and brace when I work wood for instance.
 
ShaiHulud said:
Hey, if you don't like the Rollercoaster, don't pay for a ticket :p
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Choctaw Dan said:
+1. As the old saying goes, "There's no such thing as a free lunch." Or, in rollercoaster terms, "Ya gets yer ticket, ya gets ta ride."
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Or seemingly in this case, even if buy a ticket but you’ve already ridden the roller coaster too much in the past this years ticket won’t get you anywhere.

Perhaps a more expensive ticket is the answer.
 
I don’t worry much about exposing myself to stuff like that, but if you are cooking for others especially children. You shouldn’t make that decision for them
 
Well i'm pretty sure it would take a lot of ingested paint to harm you even if it was toxic but i'm not a Rocket Surgeon. My Grandmother use to serve pie on a radioactive plate "Fiesta Ware" and i'm fine... I think.
 
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