How do I make my knives really dull?

[Ridgeway]

I work in the kitchen of a local jail (employee, not incarcerated)

. I am responsible for 20 knives in the kitchen. We have 10 inch chef's, paring, and boning knives. I have to give these knives to inmates so they can prepare the food.

Is there a way to make these knives less likely to cause damage but still function as a kitchen knife?

Also, I spoke with the person in charge of all of the kitchens and he said he would need some documentation supporting any modifications made to the knives. He said that he would need to sell the idea to his superiors and the civilian staff. Can anyone recommend a reference book, study, or website.

Thank you for your assistance.

 

[mikeS]

You might try rounding the points, thus peventing them for use as a stabbing weapon. If you are talking about dulling the edge, how would they then be useful for kitchen work??? maybe a lockbox, and checkout system to keep trck of the knifes would be more beneficial.

 

[cjensema]

This is a kind of odd request. I never heard of someone wanting to make knives dull instead of sharp. Dulling them will make them less efficient for cutting food and the users will be frustrated with them. If I were an inmate and someone deliberately dulled the kitchen knives I had to use, I'd get angry about it.

Maybe the best idea is to keep the blades sharp but round off the points so they are not a good stabbing instrument? Then limit their use to inmates who can be trusted?

 

[Redbeard]

I know! Make them all use electric carving knives for everything, this way they are only as dangerous as the length of their extension cord

On a more serious note, a knife without an edge us useless (in the kitchen, and anywhere else you go) - but something like the Chinese style "Choy Doh" would be better for the inmates since it can't be used for stabbing.

Take care,
Bob

 

[Osbourn]

Large rounded serrations can make a knife less useful for tactical purposes and still moderately useful in the kitchen. I wouldn't want to use such a knife, but because it needs to saw through what you're working on, a slash is slightly less effective. Dulling the points would be a good start, though. But I don't know how I'd use a filet knife or pearing knife without their points.

------------------
Oz

"This is your life, and it's ending; One minute at a time."
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/

 

[e_utopia]

I'd recommend rounding the point, then drilling a 'lanyard hole' in the handle and cabling the knife to either something stationary or something large and conspicuous. If it is something stationary, use a padlock at the opposite end of the cable from the knife so that it can be removed for washing.

--JB

------------------
e_utopia@hotmail.com

 

[dave fl]

If really dull is what you want...well I have a son who is able to take the edge off of an anvil, just send them over and I'll return them in about a week guaranteed never to cut again

 

[bug]

Dull won't work. The inmates will sharpen the knife after stealing it. MikeS's checkout system should help. Like in High School shop. Resign yourself to losing some. I realize prisoner come and go frequently in jail (as opposed to a prison) but start a system where they have to earn the right to use knives. Use serrated plastic where possible. Detect theft quickly so a search can be done.


bug

 

[UPSTARTCROWE]

Ridgeway, just take the knives to any machinist's shop (private joke fellas). How about switching from knives for cutting to abrasives? Maybe emery or a real coarse sand paper to cut through meat. On second thought, just serve the inmates soft foods like jello and rice. Then you won't need knives in the kitchen.

 

[Glenn]

I will second the large rounded serrations. Look at the safety knives that are made for children help mom in the kitchen. You have to saw like made to cut something, but it can be done. Very, very hard to cut yourself though.

Regards,
Glenn

 

[KuKu]

I would keep an eye on my Ajax and simular cleaners that contain abrasives. The smarter inmates (if there is such a thing)will take some, mix it with water and let it sit. Pour out the soapy water on top, and repeat the process. What you end up with is really fine powder that can put a pretty good edge on metal objects. E_utopia's idea of cabling it to something seems like the best idea IMHO.