How can metal utensils scratch enameled cast iron?

Question

My husband says that the enamel used on our new pans (le creuset) cannot realistically be damaged by gentle contact with metal utensils because enamel is not that fragile.

I’ve read from a lot of different sources that metal utensils absolutely do scratch the enamel, even with a light touch, but I’ve never seen an explanation as to HOW they do this.

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Something harder can scratch something softer.

Of course, there are a lot of physics that goes on like amount of pressure, or shape of the items. The back of a spoon likely won’t scratch the enamel but stabbing a pointy folk on it probably will.