Blade coatings and food prep

[tuhonbill]

Hi Folks,

I have a number of tool steel factory knives that have black coatings on them to help prevent rust. They come from Cold Steel, Ontario, Ka-bar and ESEE.

My question is, does anyone know if these coatings are safe for use around food? Whenever I sharpen one of these knives, I see some of the coating (mostly epoxy I guess) come off on the stone. I clean the blade best I can, but I always have wondered how safe these coatings really were. Anyone have any info as to their safety?

The photo above is a CS Recon Scout blade in Carbon V that I had a custom knifemaker buddy (Zach Whitson) fix up for me. In addition to the micarta handle and steel guard and butt cap, I asked him to remove the epoxy finish to make the knife more of an all around camp knife that I can feel comfortable using in food prep.

Thanks,
Bill McGrath

 

[Thalestin]

For the most part I think it is pretty harmless but I think its better not to hae it if you can avoid it

 

[trimcut123]

My DLC coating never wear off,
But that I would not trust

 

[tuhonbill]

Hi Folks,

I have a number of tool steel factory knives that have black coatings on them to help prevent rust. They come from Cold Steel, Ontario, Ka-bar and ESEE.

My question is, does anyone know if these coatings are safe for use around food? Whenever I sharpen one of these knives, I see some of the coating (mostly epoxy I guess) come off on the stone. I clean the blade best I can, but I always have wondered how safe these coatings really were. Anyone have any info as to their safety?

The photo above is a CS Recon Scout blade in Carbon V that I had a custom knifemaker buddy (Zach Whitson) fix up for me. In addition to the micarta handle and steel guard and butt cap, I asked him to remove the epoxy finish to make the knife more of an all around camp knife that I can feel comfortable using in food prep.

Thanks,
Bill McGrath

Here's an article on epoxy coatings.

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/N...wlc=1298679743

Zinc phosphate (parkerizing) seems to be safer (it's used in dental cement), but the more I study things, the more appealing a natural patina on my blades is starting to look.


Regards,
Bill McGrath