Folders and food prep: Yay/Nay?

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May 1, 2004
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There's an interesting discussion going on in the Spyderco sub-forum (Delica 4 saber grind thread) about using folding Spydercos for food prep. Makes me curious what everyone else thinks about the issue.

Do you use your pocket knives/folders for food prep? Why or why not?

I do. I've found that a good folder closely mimics the common paring knife and works well for most tasks that don't involve chopping or slicing large items. I do have a very nice chef knife for kitchen use as well as a lot of experience behind the line in restaurants but I generally don't use my work knife at home. Other than cutting up pineapples most of my cutting tasks can be handled by a 3"-4" blade. Usually whatever I'm EDCing at the moment.

Before use I generally wipe the blade down and afterwards I wash and scrub with a toothbrush and dishsoap. I've noted no problems so far, no smell, no sickness and during my regular disassembly no food items stuck in an crevices or anything like that. I guess you could say I just like using my folders like this. They're very sharp, have good quality materials and give me another excuse to cut with them.

Being trained to use a kitchen knife before I got into pocket knives gives me a different viewpoint, when I use a folder in the kitchen it expresses the ergonomics of the knife is a way I'm familiar with and allows me a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the design, as they relate to my hands.

What types of folders do you find work well?

I've really taken a shine to the FRN Stretch in the kitchen. The thin FFG doesn't bind and maneuvers very well. I think H1 would be a more obvious choice but the hollow grinds have generally put me off of it's use in the kitchen, they perform fine but not nearly as well as the Stretch. Plus, kitchen knife handles just don't lovingly caress my hands like a good Spyderco does. :foot:

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I agree with you completely about this: I have about 1/2 dozen excellent carbon steel kitchen knives, about half of these from Japan, and I often find myself reaching for the folder in my pocket for simple paring and small slicing chores rather than taking those 3 steps to the knife rack. My personal favorites for EDC and all around use are the small and large Benchmade Griptillians. I have the Ritter versions, with G10 and G11 Wilkins grips. They feel great in the hand, clean easily and cut wonderfully.
 
I do it all the time. The thin, FFG blades on my Millie and Police 3 work nicely, so do SAK blades. I also use my Aqua Salt for camp food prep a lot as I don't have to be concerned with fruit juices etc. being on the blade for extended periods.

With folders I take care not to get the pivot or handle dirty (Only touch knife with right hand, use left hand for food) so that clean-up is simply rinsing the blade with hot water under the sink then pat dry with a towel.

I have a nice kitchen knife at home, but on the go a thin edged, hair whittling sharp folder will glide right through anything I need to eat. Slicing bread, quartering apples, halving sandwiches etc.
 
I used my 550 Griptilian in the kitchen when I first got it several years ago. The modified sheepsfoot profile worked very well, similar to a shorty Santoku in slicing. I switched it out over concern of corrosion on the Omega spring but I'm not sure if it was actually ever an issue or not. Disassembly later on showed no corrosion so I suppose my concerns were unwarranted.
 
I do it all the time. I have good kitchen knives, but sometimes my pocket knife just does a better job.
 
As long as I feel like cleaning out my knife thoroughly before and after using it in the kitchen, I don't see any reason why folders can't be used in the kitchen. However, cleaning the mechanism of a folder is much more time consuming and/or complicated than cleaning one solid chunk of kitchen knife.
 
i use kitchen cutlery on foods.

the only time i would ever use a folder on food is when there is no choice but to use a folder...
 
I use a reground JYDII when I cook in other people's kitchens. It beats the hell out of using their dull knives.
 
i like to use my sage 2 for food prep if im in the road. the full ti body and lock make it for an easy clean . the full flat grind works well for a slicer and there is no thumb stud to get caught on something like cheese.
 
I use an axis-lock folder quite frequently on smaller food items, and have never had any issues as a result. I tend to clean my knives with rubbing alcohol relatively frequently anyway, so I am generally not concerned about contamination.
 
I use a reground JYDII when I cook in other people's kitchens. It beats the hell out of using their dull knives.
Exactly. At home I have sharp kitchen knives that are easy to clean, but at most other people's homes the knives are too dull for a sharpness snob like me to use! So out comes the folding knife. 90% of what I cut in our kitchen can be cut with a sub-4" blade. In fact, our go-to kitchen knife is a cork-handled Spyderco Mule, which has a 3.5" blade.

Bill
 
I use my Sebenza all the time in food prep. I work as a bartender, and all they provide us with is some crappy serrated paring knives for making our drink garnishes... The S30V has good corrosion/stain resistance, and the Seb can easily be taken apart if you get it REALLY messy.

Always make sure to thoroughly clean the blade an pivot before and after use, and there really shouldn't be any issue.
 
Any co-worker/customer response when used the Sebenza?

I got a few looks from new staff when I'd be at the server station slicing lemons with my Atlantic Salt to help out during the rush. I'd run it through the dish machine several times during the night and never had any food safety issues.
 
For quick snacks and/ or fruits my Salt 1 works great. I also use my Victorinox.

The Salt 1 is so easy to clean. When you are done rising it you can stick it back in your pocket half-soaked and not have to worry about it.

If I am making anything more than a small snack I like to use my purpose built kitchen knives.
 
My Spyderco Stretch is my hero for kitchen duty. It slices through anything with grace and ease. I use it fairly frequently in my own kitchen, just because we don't have a good chef's knife. While I'm a fan of using the right tool for the job, I like the idea of becoming always more familiar with my pocket knife.
 
I prefer fixed blades for large scale food prep, but for cutting steaks or fruit, folders work fine. My mini-trapper and Sodbuster Jr love steak almost as much as I do.;)

Unfortunately, I can't seem to warm up to the idea of using more tactical knives for food. Not sure why, but it doesn't sit right with me.
 
I frequently use my CF Millie for kitchen work. The full flat grind with good belly works great for veggies and various meat. The flat spine allows easy clearing of the cutting board as well. In fact, this last Christmas I used a Millie to prepare and serve up our turkey dinner for four. Hot soap and water clean up, followed by a wipe with anti-bacterial Windex and you are good to go.
 
The right tool for the right job.
Since I have the right tool (kitchen ware), why would I use my folder?
 
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