EDC Hygiene: Fixed Blade VS. Folder

[Halfneck]

Never really thought much on it. In the past I backpacked quite a bit, and I was a medic in the Infantry. I can recall being in the field and using my Delica to cut paracord, medical tape, then open my MREs. Now while I would wash my hands before and after working on a patient, in-between I lived like a barbarian.

Later in life with my sons in Cub/Boy Scouts there was usually a dedicated food prep knife due to raw meat. Any knife that was used to cut raw chicken or pork for say Hobo Meals, got thoroughly cleaned after use.

Only other time I can think of is when I've used a serrated Endura & Delica as an impromptu steak knife at a restaurant. I used to use mineral oil on my knives but have since switched to Ballistol. Both are food safe, but Ballistol works better.

Luckily, I have a strong immune system so I've never put much thought into it.

[Wartstein]

I really don’t understand how people run into “food prep” tasks outside of a kitchen so often that EDC knives need to touch food. Do you people lack teeth?

Two fold answer:

1.) Yes, I do "run into food prep outside the (my) kitchen" quite often.

I am lot on the road by car or bike when working, and often prepare some kind of lunch, sandwiches, simple meals, sometimes even on a fire.
Same is true for hikes and in the mountains of course.

Then there are those kitchens in other houses where my EDC folder happens to be the sharpest and most capable knife around.
This could also happen when on holidays in the kitchens of accomodations.

2.) I just LIKE to use my folders in the highest variety of tasks and see, feel, experience how they work there - be it concerning cutting performande or ergos.

Actually this exactly IS the fascinating thing about an EDC folder: Very often (most times actually) there would be a better, more specialized tool for the job (scissors, box cutters, awls, kitchen knives, whatever), but knives like my Enduras are still decent at so many things. Just the "jack of all trades" aspect" is what I like.

I also think food prep is one of many tasks Spyderco designers like Sal and Mike Janich are not excluding, but do themselves with their folders (see these posts for example: viewtopic.php?p=1619356#p1619356 ; viewtopic.php?p=1511659#p1511659; viewtopic.php?p=1609574#p1609574)

[Brock O Lee]

I usually clean my blades after I used them, so they are in general clean enough to cut food when I need them to. If I notice they are not clean, I'll wipe them down before I cut food. I don't think too much about it.

[benja-man]

I can disassemble every folder, but I can't disassemble every sheath, so generally I prefer folders over (carried) fixies for food.

I have one dedicated food prep folder (UKPK Salt) for camping use. It only ever sees food and is thoroughly cleaned (no dissembly though, if soap can't get in, dirt can't get out ;-) ).

My EDC folder is used to cut food occasionally, but I try to make sure only to use the blade and not get it covered in various juices. For that reason, I generally clean my EDC blade properly. I can't stand tape residue e.g.

Then I have dedicated hard use folders that I wouldn't even dream of using on foodstuffs.

[Wartstein]

I have one dedicated food prep folder (UKPK Salt) for camping use. It only ever sees food and is thoroughly cleaned (no dissembly though, if soap can't get in, dirt can't get out ;-) ).

Must be a good one for food prep, very salt 2 -ish (same blade stock thickness and same blade length) which I like in outdoor food prep!

But imo often a longer blade is advantageous in food prep - ever thought of an ffg Pac Salt? (Or a Catcherman? )

[benja-man]

ever thought of an ffg Pac Salt?

Often.
Outdoor bread knife is a niche I could see a SE Pac Salt Wharnie in. Discontinued though, right?

[Wartstein]

Often.
Outdoor bread knife is a niche I could see a SE Pac Salt Wharnie in. Discontinued though, right?

As far as I know there has never been a Wharnie Pac Salt (not even in PE), just the smaller Salt 2..

Perhaps you're thinking of the Endura wharnie?

[benja-man]

Not to derail this further, you're right, was thinking of the smaller salt. The Pac appears to have a feasible blade shape as is.

[TkoK83Spy]

I've said it before, not sure why people don't just buy a Z Cut knife for $20something and get a small slip to keep it in. Problem solved and doesn't take up much space. I'll never understand the using a folder on food unless absolutely necessary. Could be because my work environment encountered a lot of unappealing materials that would be cut with my folders and would never want them contacting food.