Finish for Carving Fork

[Philip Florio]

Wondering what would be the best finish for a carving fork.

First I automatically thought of a food safe salad bowl finish but the food won't be in contact with the handle. I'm wondering if spray on lacquer would be good enough or maybe polyurethane?

Phil

[Chris Padilla]

I'd stick with the food safe bowl finish (oil) because this fork is likely to be in contact with water more than you might think and film finishes don't do too well around water. Oils are easily to reapply once a year or whenever needed.

[Philip Florio]

Thanks again Chris for your help!

Phil

[Jeff Langdell]

I agree with keeping it non-toxic. There is a product in the mail-order catalogs called "Preserve". It is a drying oil, not a film. It is intended for food contact and has NO smelly thinners. Good luck

[Jim Becker]

All finishes sold today are "food safe" once fully cured. The major reason that something like mineral oil or a mineral oil/paraffin mixture is a good choice for this kind of thing is because it's easily and quickly renewable. A film finish will degrade quickly and could even be unsightly after a few washings.