ISO/FDIS 8442-5

• Abstract:

  ISO 8442-5:2004 specifies the sharpness and edge retention of knives which are produced for professional and domestic use in the preparation of food of all kinds, specifically those knives intended for hand use. Powered blade instruments of any kind are excluded. Generally these types of knife are manufactured with blades of either plain edge design or with edges incorporating particular features to enhance or optimize aspects of cutting ability. The following two types of knife blade are suitable for the cutting test. Type A edges: cutting edges which can be resharpened by the user and edges with a pitch greater than 1mm; Type B edges: cutting edges which are not intended to be resharpened on a steel. Whilst these knives are predominantly manufactured with blades made from various grades of heat treated steels, the testing of knives of any construction or blade material is not precluded providing that the test criteria are met. The principle of the testing is to reproduce a cutting action, by forward and reverse strokes, against a pack of synthetic test medium under controlled parameters.

• Status: Not Published
• ICS: 67.250 - Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs
• ICS: 97.040.60 - Cookware, cutlery and flatware
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 186 - Cutlery and table and decorative metal hollow-ware
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 186/WG 2 - Cutlery - Requirements and Specification
• Current Stage: 5000 - FDIS registered for formal approval
• Start Date: 18-Sep-2026
• Completion Date: 20-Jul-2026

• Consolidates: prEN ISO 8442-5 - Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs - Cutlery and table holloware - Part 5: Specification for sharpness and cutting wear resistance test of cutlery (ISO/DIS 8442-5:2026)
• Effective Date: 12-Feb-2026
• Consolidates: ISO/TR 18607:2025 - Packaging and the environment — Information on environmentally conscious packaging design
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2025
• Revises: ISO 8442-5:2004 - Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs — Cutlery and table holloware — Part 5: Specification for sharpness and edge retention test of cutlery
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2025

FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 186
Materials and articles in contact
Secretariat: SAC
with foodstuffs — Cutlery and table
Voting begins on:
holloware —
2026-10-27
Part 5:
Voting terminates on:
2026-12-08
Specification for sharpness and
cutting wear resistance test of
cutlery
Matériaux et objets en contact avec les denrées alimentaires —
Coutellerie et orfèvrerie de table —
Partie 5: Spécification du tranchant et essai de résistance à
l'usure de coupe des articles de coutellerie
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO-
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
Reference number
FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 186
Materials and articles in contact
Secretariat: SAC
with foodstuffs — Cutlery and table
Voting begins on:
holloware —
Part 5:
Voting terminates on:
Specification for sharpness and
cutting wear resistance test of
cutlery
Matériaux et objets en contact avec les denrées alimentaires —
Coutellerie et orfèvrerie de table —
Partie 5: Spécification du tranchant et essai de résistance à
l'usure de coupe des articles de coutellerie
© ISO 2026
All rights reserved.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
This ISO publication is protected by copyright and is owned by ISO and/or its licensors.
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
The content of this ISO publication is provided under licence, not sold. Use is subject to the applicable licence terms issued by ISO,
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
an ISO member body, or an authorized third-party distributor.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO-
Except as required for implementation or expressly permitted by a separate licence, no part of this ISO publication may be
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
reproduced, distributed, modified, used, or made available in any form or by any means – electronic or mechanical, including
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
photocopying, scanning, recording, or posting on internal or external digital platforms. TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
Any use beyond the scope of the granted rights is prohibited and may result in legal action.
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
Reference number
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Sharpness testing . 1
5 Wear resistance testing . 2
5.1 General .2
5.2 Test length .2
5.3 Apparatus .2
5.4 Test medium .2
5.5 Test procedure .2
5.6 Evaluation/Expression of results .3
Annex A (normative) Sharpness testing . 4
Annex B (normative) Apparatus for wear resistance testing . 6

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 186, Cutlery and table and decorative metal
hollow-ware, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee
CEN/TC 194, Utensils in contact with food, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation
between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 8442-5:2004), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— description of the foil pressure cutting test and foil pull cutting test;
— introduction of a new evaluation method for cutting wear resistance test;
— revision of the wear resistance test medium.
A list of all parts in the ISO 8442 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
FINAL DRAFT International Standard ISO/FDIS 8442-5:2026(en)
Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs — Cutlery
and table holloware —
Part 5:
Specification for sharpness and cutting wear resistance test of
cutlery
1 Scope
This document specifies the sharpness and wear resistance of knives, which are designed for professional
and domestic use in the preparation of food of all kinds, specifically of those knives intended for hand use.
This document describes test methods for sharpness measurement and for the evaluation of wear resistance
of the cutting edge.
This document does not apply for hunting knives, pocket knives, razors or tool or utility knives (with
trapezoidal blade for cutting carpets etc.). Knives with special shapes, e.g. herb chopping knives or highly
curved boning knives, can only be tested in the style of this document since not all properties and test
methods are applicable in a meaningful manner.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 8442-1, Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs — Cutlery and table holloware — Part 1:
Requirements for cutlery for the preparation of food
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 8442-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http:// www .iso .org/ obp
4 Sharpness testing
The test methods focus on the micro cutting wedge and its cutting edge. At the beginning of the test
procedure the test material is deformed. The force measured in the first moment of material separation
(cutting
...

ISO/TC 186
Secretariat: SAC
Date: 2026-09-25xx
Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs — Cutlery and table
holloware —
Part 5:
Specification for sharpness and cutting wear resistance test of cutlery
Matériaux et objets en contact avec les denrées alimentaires — Coutellerie et orfèvrerie de table —
Partie 5: Spécification du tranchant et essai de résistance à l'usure de coupe des articles de coutellerie
FDIS stage
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All rights reserved.
This ISO publication is protected by copyright and is owned by ISO and/or its licensors.
The content of this ISO publication is provided under licence, not sold. Use is subject to the applicable licence terms issued
by ISO, an ISO member body, or an authorized third-party distributor.
Except as required for implementation or expressly permitted by a separate licence, no part of this ISO publication may
be reproduced, distributed, modified, used, or made available in any form or by any means – electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, scanning, recording, or posting on internal or external digital platforms.
Any use beyond the scope of the granted rights is prohibited and may result in legal action.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents
Foreword . iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Sharpness testing . 1
5 Wear resistance testing . 2
5.1 General . 2
5.2 Test length . 2
5.3 Apparatus . 2
5.4 Test medium . 2
5.5 Test procedure . 2
5.6 Evaluation/Expression of results . 3
Annex A (normative) Sharpness testing . 5
Annex B (normative) Apparatus for wear resistance testing . 7

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of
ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights
in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s)
which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not
represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 186, Cutlery and table and decorative metal
hollow-ware, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee
CEN/TC 194, Utensils in contact with food, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation
between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 8442-5:2004), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— description of the foil pressure cutting test and foil pull cutting test;
— introduction of a new evaluation method for cutting wear resistance test;
— revision of the wear resistance test medium.
A list of all parts in the ISO 8442 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs — Cutlery and table
holloware —
Part 5:
Specification for sharpness and cutting wear resistance test of cutlery
1 Scope
This document specifies the sharpness and wear resistance of knives, which are designed for professional and
domestic use in the preparation of food of all kinds, specifically of those knives intended for hand use.
This document describes test methods for sharpness measurement and for the evaluation of wear resistance
of the cutting edge.
This document does not apply for hunting knives, pocket knives, razors or tool or utility knives (with
trapezoidal blade for cutting carpets etc.). Knives with special shapes, e.g. herb chopping knives or highly
curved boning knives, can only be tested in the style of this document since not all properties and test methods
are applicable in a meaningful manner.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 8442-1, Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs — Cutlery and table holloware — Part 1:
Requirements for cutlery for the preparation of food
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 8442-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
4 Sharpness testing
The test methods focus on the micro cutting wedge and its cutting edge. At the beginning of the test procedure
the test material is deformed. The force measured in the first moment of material separation (cutting) is
defined as sharpness.
The apparatus for sharpness testing areshall be as described in Annex A.
NOTE Specific requirements are under study.
5 Wear resistance testing
5.1 General
This test shall be carried out before any other physical or mechanical test so that edge performances are
assessed in the “as received” condition.
5.2 Test length
The portion of the cutting edge of the blade to be tested shall be straight except for a maximum deviation of
±1 mm. The stroke length is (40 ± 0,5) mm.
5.3 Apparatus
The apparatus for wear resistance testing shall be as described in Annex B.
5.4 Test medium
The test medium is described in Clause B.8.
5.5 Test procedure
Determine the portion of the blade (50 mm = 40 mm stroke + 10 mm test card width) which meets the
straightness criterion (±1 mm deviation over the stroke length of 40 mm, see 5.2) and mark with a suitable
marker. Mount the blade (edge uppermost) in the fixture and set the length to be tested level to within 0,5 mm
at either end.
NOTE The wear resistance test requires a straight blade (with a deviation tolerance of ±1 mm over a 40 mm stroke).
Highly curved knives can only be tested for reference purposes.
Load the apparatus with the test card and weights which combine to give the required 50 N test load (in the
static condition) at the star
...