Knife No. 19 - Purple Veggie Eater

dswait

dswait

Well-Known Member
Commissioned from a coworker, she wanted a small paring knife to cut vegetables and loves purple heart wood, hence the name I'm giving it, "Purple Veggie Eater". Made from 1095 about 4" blade length (yes there is a hamon), handle material is purple heart wood and this is my first wooden sheath also made out of purple heart (actually second attempt, first attempt scratched the knife, so this one is inlaid with felt). Thank you George for lending me a second piece of purple heart to finish this!























 
All wood has some level of toxicity I suppose, but the danger lies when working the wood to the maker and inhaling the saw dust. This handle and sheath has been sealed with several thick coats of varnish and therefore shouldn't pose any risk to the user or food. As a finished product I believe this to be perfectly safe to use.

According to this wood database http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/
purple heart has 2 stars out of 5 for potency and can cause skin/eye irritation and/or nausea.
 
Last edited:
BradT11 said:
I'm told purple heart is poisonous, and shouldn't be used for anything eating or kitchen related.
Click to expand...


Sometimes Google is your best friend. The toxicity of Purple heart is in the woodworking side of it. Once sanded and sealed it is pretty much safe, the only fear might be if you are one of those with a real bad allergy to it, and then I would suspect the sealer would have to be off of it and you are sucking on it!

The sanding and cutting side, is a whole another story bad juju if you breath without a respirator and some will experience problems with exposed skin when working it! Long sleeves and getting clean shortly after working is recommended!!
http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/purpleheart/

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/321927

http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f6/purpleheart-food-safe-1602/

http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f6/purpleheart-food-safe-1602/
 
Nice little paring knife,

I've used Purple heart many times for my culinary knife furniture, handles & Saya.

As mentioned the problem with woods is in the working dust.
 
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