From my limited experience with Sunshine cloth, it has an extremely fine abrasive, finer than the 1500 emery paper I also use. I share the concern over eating Aluminum Oxide, but the Sunshine product was recommended to me by a Chef, so I dont suppose much of it stays on the blade. Sunshine cloth does indeed remove patina very quickly, but leaves no scratches, which 1500 emery does. I also use Mineral Oil from time to time, and consider it an excellent inorganic, non digestible, petroleum based water repellent. I also agree Renaissance Wax is a fantastic product. All tools in an arsenal, to be used as your preference dictates..
a quick google of Renaissance Wax finds the following wikipedia info:
"Renaissance Wax is a brand of microcrystalline wax polish that is widely encountered in antique restoration and museum curation. Although not appropriate for all materials, it is known to and used by almost every collection. It is also used as a primary finish for cabinetry and furniture. Renaissance wax is also used by reenactors of historic swordsmanship to protect armour and weapons. It is widely recognised that this substance is more protective and longer lasting than oil, especially for swords and helmets that are frequently touched by human hands.[1]
To quote a typical commercial supplier of conservation materials, it is used, to revive and protect valuable furniture, leather, paintings, metals, marble, onyx, ivory etc. Freshens colours and imparts a soft sheen.[2]
Wax coatings for conservation are most widely, and least controversially, applied to metals. This has several objectives: to produce a barrier that excludes moisture and oxygen from the metal surface, to ensure against further introduction of contaminating elements by handling, and to provide a protective layer over anti-corrosion undercoatings.
...
Earlier wax polishes based on beeswax and carnauba wax either contained acids or became acidic over time. Renaissance Wax was based on more stable microcrystalline waxes refined from crude oil.[4]
Renaissance Wax also contains polyethylene waxes."
I do not recommend eating furniture, rubies, emery paper, aluminum oxide, microcrystalline waxes, nor polyethylene either
. I imagine a wipe with soapy and or plain water, or alcohol, before use on food may be a prudent and practical option.
otoh, if anyone has information that the use of Sunshine cloth poses a health danger when used on a food knife, I definitely would like to review a reference link. Im new at all this, and do not want to do, or recommend anything that poses a danger to self or others.
ps, here is the MSDS for Sunshine Cloth (no hazardous chemicals listed)
http://www.sunshinepolishingcloth.com/Material Safety Data Sheet SPC.pdf
and for Renaissance Wax (Hazardous component White spirit)
http://www.productosdeconservacion.com/pdf/cera_Renaissance.pdf
