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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Best Travel Spoon/Spork/Utensil/etc
- Thread starter Delkancott
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2009
- Messages
- 2,720
The lightmyfire titanium thing looks cool. I use the plastic ones at work.
Realistically , I own and have tried and modified all sorts of metal , aluminum , and titanium utensils over many years. My conclusion is rather boring. In the woods or backpacking I prefer a simple stainless steel tablespoon. The reason is it's strong , inexpensive , doesn't dribble like a spork and it works. I can use it to dig if I have to. I see no need for a fork. My knife and a tablespoon is all I need to eat anything.
Realistically , I own and have tried and modified all sorts of metal , aluminum , and titanium utensils over many years. My conclusion is rather boring. In the woods or backpacking I prefer a simple stainless steel tablespoon. The reason is it's strong , inexpensive , doesn't dribble like a spork and it works. I can use it to dig if I have to. I see no need for a fork. My knife and a tablespoon is all I need to eat anything.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
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- Joined
- May 31, 2009
- Messages
- 472
I hated the LMF one before I tried it. I thought it would be useless and a PITA to use, but then I got one and now I own a couple of the plastic ones and they are by far my favorite eating utensil. I carry one in my back pack wherever I go.
Delkancott
Gold Member
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- Dec 30, 2010
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- 614
I can totally understand your point there. Tbh the reason I started the thread was for something to use at work out on the farm.
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2009
- Messages
- 215
I have a Light My Fire titanium spork and use it daily. It's pretty good, I mean it picks up my food, hasn't broken yet, has a full spoon and fork instead of a compromise of both, and it's leightweight I guess but then I don't generally worry about the weight of my utensils.
The serrations aren't that great but they can help tear food a little and who here doesn't have a knife handy anyway? Besides would you really want to have razor sharp serrations on something you're putting in your mouth? Ya you could be careful and all but still...
The serrations aren't that great but they can help tear food a little and who here doesn't have a knife handy anyway? Besides would you really want to have razor sharp serrations on something you're putting in your mouth? Ya you could be careful and all but still...
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2006
- Messages
- 970
I just bought a CRKT EatNTool. I decided I'd give it a try.
I'm curious how that will work. It looks like an interesting piece of work, but just seems to short to keep any kind of eating from becoming a double knuckle dip.
God bless,
Adam
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2009
- Messages
- 2,720
I found some tablespoons made of aluminum that folded ( Rocky Designs) but the problem with a lot of the folding units is they fold when you don't want them to sometimes. They are handy to stash in a pocket though.Something like that may be good out and about in the field. I've shortened the handles on regular tablespoons as an experiment ( hacksaw,sandpaper,drill hole ,add split ring and small carabiner) That worked well for $2. Just an idea
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 90,915
I've got a few sets of the Guyot Designs large utensils and I'd like to try the small micro bites also. The large set are good for salads, too.
Delkancott
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
- Messages
- 614
Looks like the Light My Fire models are pretty popular (and the plastic ones are quite affordable) so I'll be trying out these scroll over the assorted pack as they are $6 less than the four pack of dark green.
I'm still keeping my eye out for a good metal kit, spork or normal set, but for now, for work, these should do.
Thanks again!
I'm still keeping my eye out for a good metal kit, spork or normal set, but for now, for work, these should do.
Thanks again!
i like the LMF sporks. i have several of the colred lexan ones and will even use them at home in the kitchen if i'm out of clean silverware. the colors might be nice if you're camping with a group to keep track of what belongs to who... but that only goes so far because sooner or later you'll run out of colors.
the green versions don't seem to be the most appealing when eating, and eating probably doesn't require "tactical" utensils.
i like the red, orange or yellow best.
the "knife edge" ain't great, but you SHOULD have a SAK or some kind of pocket/utility knife other than one that takes Stanley type disposable bladed. so it's not a huge problem if the "knife" only cuts soft food and the utensil has a bit of flex that rob it of some cutting force.
the sspoon and fork are on opposite ends, that's one thing i don't like about my Snowpeak Ti spork is that it absolutely sucks for liquids because of the tines in the spoon bowl, and it also sucks for forking things because the tines are so stubby. the LMF has stubby tines, but they're longer than the Snowpeak's.
they have a large version that seems great. i bought one and misplaced it before i could use it. need to find it or get another one. AFAIK the large one doesn't come in colors, only black. perhaps the Sweeds have been watching too much porn?
the Ti version seems nice, but i don't know if it can be any lighter than the lexan version, so you gain the rigidity that may make the knife work better. doesn't seem to be a huge gain for several times the price because you should have a real knife.
the lexan version is CHEAP, it's even available at WalMart for under $3. cheap enough to have them at home in camping gear or go bags, one in the GHB in you vehicle, one at work, and if someone swipes or tosses it at work, it's not a huge loss.
so for the LMF, i'd give the "knife" a D, the spoon an A and the fork a C with an overall grade of a B because while there's room for improvement, i haven't seen an "all in one" tool that i think does a better job... unless you like chopsticks.
i've seen the CRKT Eat-N-Tool, and it seems ridiculous to me. very stubby, not a lot oc capacity in the bowl, and then it has tines in it and the wrenches seem poorly places and some fasteners you'd never be able to turn with it. it's got a bottle opener, like there aren't other ways to open a bottle. i'm not interested in buying one, so i haven't had a chance to use one. i'd have to give it a D-
Snowpeak Ti spork. looks hella cool, but sucks as a fork due to the short tines, sucks as a spoon for liquids because of the tines, and it's expensive. works fine for eating anything thatsimply requires moving small bits to your mouth, rice, peas, ravioli, etc. SUCKS for soup or any other liquid, also sucks for steak or anything that needs to be forked (stabbed) chopsticks and drinking directly from the cup or bowl are better than this thing. overall grade C-
Fast Food sporks and other utensils. they're FREE, but not very sturdy. they will melt so not good for cooking with, only for eating with. overall average grade C
most individual Lexan knife/fork/spoon sets. there are a few different brands of these out there. they're sturdy. won't melt, won't scratch teflon cookware, are usually under $1 per utensil. the knives usually actually have some cutting ability, the forks fork and the spoons spoon. some brands have large loops on the end of the handle so you can run a cord thru them or clip them to a biner. not hugely important, but could be a nice feature if you found a need for it. i'd give the ones i've used an A- or B+ and probably give the knife a B or B- as a knife because it's not a metal blade and still usually sucks for cutting compared to a pocket knife. however, you can get it as slimy as you want and clean everything up at the same time without any concern, while you may not want to just throw your pocket knife in the wash tub or cooking pot to get scrubbed with everything else. depends on who's doing what. if you're solo, no problem.
"German Army" KFS kit- i have a few of these. they're full sized knife, fork and spoon and they all slip into a sleeve that has a can opener on the end. GREAT for tmes when the weight and "bulk" is not a concern, i.e. "car camping" but then a KFS set (generic stainless flatware) from the local thrift store will be cheaper and easier to find. if you ewnat "lightweight and packable" this ain't it, they'd get an F, of that's not a requirement, they'd get an A
USGI KFS set- stamped stainless fork, knife and spoon with an aluminum handle cast on the spoon and usually with large loops in the handles. seems like it would work fine, but i've never grabbed one to try. heavy, bulky and usually not as cheap as some other options. same grade as the german kit.
USGI MRE spoon- usually a single spoon included in every MRE. tougher than the disposable stuff, but i don't know if they'll melt or not. usually seem a bit undersized. nothing in an MRE seems to "need" a fork. i've always used something else when eating a MRE so i'm gonna have to pass on grading these. but if you want a fork and only have a spoon, yer SOL.
generic, disposable chopsticks- some people just can't handle 'sticks. if you're one of those people, take the time to learn or avoid them entirely. they can't cut, so you'll need a knife. very simple, free if you grab some extas when you're eating out. i've never seen any lexan versions. the "takedown" versions seem like overkill but they pack well. for food that works with them they (chopsticks in general) get a solid A, but i don't pack them.
i've seen some other sporks in REI, most seem to suffer from the same problems as the Snowpeak. stubby tines and a bowl that leaks. available in lexan, stainless, ti and who knows what else.
Ti or stainless KFS sets- some seem nice, some seem undersized, stainless is always heavier and Ti is lighter and more expensive. a buddy of mine just bought a Ti fork and spoon because he didn't like the LMF and always has a pocket knife. and that's always an option. too many variations to grade.
A= "just like home"
F= "your're probably better off using your hands"
the green versions don't seem to be the most appealing when eating, and eating probably doesn't require "tactical" utensils.
i like the red, orange or yellow best.the "knife edge" ain't great, but you SHOULD have a SAK or some kind of pocket/utility knife other than one that takes Stanley type disposable bladed. so it's not a huge problem if the "knife" only cuts soft food and the utensil has a bit of flex that rob it of some cutting force.
the sspoon and fork are on opposite ends, that's one thing i don't like about my Snowpeak Ti spork is that it absolutely sucks for liquids because of the tines in the spoon bowl, and it also sucks for forking things because the tines are so stubby. the LMF has stubby tines, but they're longer than the Snowpeak's.
they have a large version that seems great. i bought one and misplaced it before i could use it. need to find it or get another one. AFAIK the large one doesn't come in colors, only black. perhaps the Sweeds have been watching too much porn?
the Ti version seems nice, but i don't know if it can be any lighter than the lexan version, so you gain the rigidity that may make the knife work better. doesn't seem to be a huge gain for several times the price because you should have a real knife.
the lexan version is CHEAP, it's even available at WalMart for under $3. cheap enough to have them at home in camping gear or go bags, one in the GHB in you vehicle, one at work, and if someone swipes or tosses it at work, it's not a huge loss.
so for the LMF, i'd give the "knife" a D, the spoon an A and the fork a C with an overall grade of a B because while there's room for improvement, i haven't seen an "all in one" tool that i think does a better job... unless you like chopsticks.
i've seen the CRKT Eat-N-Tool, and it seems ridiculous to me. very stubby, not a lot oc capacity in the bowl, and then it has tines in it and the wrenches seem poorly places and some fasteners you'd never be able to turn with it. it's got a bottle opener, like there aren't other ways to open a bottle. i'm not interested in buying one, so i haven't had a chance to use one. i'd have to give it a D-
Snowpeak Ti spork. looks hella cool, but sucks as a fork due to the short tines, sucks as a spoon for liquids because of the tines, and it's expensive. works fine for eating anything thatsimply requires moving small bits to your mouth, rice, peas, ravioli, etc. SUCKS for soup or any other liquid, also sucks for steak or anything that needs to be forked (stabbed) chopsticks and drinking directly from the cup or bowl are better than this thing. overall grade C-
Fast Food sporks and other utensils. they're FREE, but not very sturdy. they will melt so not good for cooking with, only for eating with. overall average grade C
most individual Lexan knife/fork/spoon sets. there are a few different brands of these out there. they're sturdy. won't melt, won't scratch teflon cookware, are usually under $1 per utensil. the knives usually actually have some cutting ability, the forks fork and the spoons spoon. some brands have large loops on the end of the handle so you can run a cord thru them or clip them to a biner. not hugely important, but could be a nice feature if you found a need for it. i'd give the ones i've used an A- or B+ and probably give the knife a B or B- as a knife because it's not a metal blade and still usually sucks for cutting compared to a pocket knife. however, you can get it as slimy as you want and clean everything up at the same time without any concern, while you may not want to just throw your pocket knife in the wash tub or cooking pot to get scrubbed with everything else. depends on who's doing what. if you're solo, no problem.
"German Army" KFS kit- i have a few of these. they're full sized knife, fork and spoon and they all slip into a sleeve that has a can opener on the end. GREAT for tmes when the weight and "bulk" is not a concern, i.e. "car camping" but then a KFS set (generic stainless flatware) from the local thrift store will be cheaper and easier to find. if you ewnat "lightweight and packable" this ain't it, they'd get an F, of that's not a requirement, they'd get an A
USGI KFS set- stamped stainless fork, knife and spoon with an aluminum handle cast on the spoon and usually with large loops in the handles. seems like it would work fine, but i've never grabbed one to try. heavy, bulky and usually not as cheap as some other options. same grade as the german kit.
USGI MRE spoon- usually a single spoon included in every MRE. tougher than the disposable stuff, but i don't know if they'll melt or not. usually seem a bit undersized. nothing in an MRE seems to "need" a fork. i've always used something else when eating a MRE so i'm gonna have to pass on grading these. but if you want a fork and only have a spoon, yer SOL.
generic, disposable chopsticks- some people just can't handle 'sticks. if you're one of those people, take the time to learn or avoid them entirely. they can't cut, so you'll need a knife. very simple, free if you grab some extas when you're eating out. i've never seen any lexan versions. the "takedown" versions seem like overkill but they pack well. for food that works with them they (chopsticks in general) get a solid A, but i don't pack them.
i've seen some other sporks in REI, most seem to suffer from the same problems as the Snowpeak. stubby tines and a bowl that leaks. available in lexan, stainless, ti and who knows what else.
Ti or stainless KFS sets- some seem nice, some seem undersized, stainless is always heavier and Ti is lighter and more expensive. a buddy of mine just bought a Ti fork and spoon because he didn't like the LMF and always has a pocket knife. and that's always an option. too many variations to grade.
A= "just like home"
F= "your're probably better off using your hands"
- Joined
- Oct 8, 1998
- Messages
- 8,917
My friend, you need a genuine, U.S. Government Issue metal spoon. It's big, it's tough and it's steel and it has a hole in the right end of it so you can tie a lanyard to it or whatever else you might need to use that for.
They're awesome.
As for the LMF plastic sporks, I think they're great and we have quite a few of them. Didn't know they made one in Ti, might have to look into that since it doesn't cost $55.00 for a titanium eating utensil.
same here...
- Joined
- May 14, 2008
- Messages
- 1,118
I've used the LMF Spork for a few years now and love it. I always carry an extra since they nest into each other and weigh nothing.
I usually just use the spoon end but it's nice to have the fork just in case.
They are a bit short for the larger Mountain House bags but LMF just came out with a slightly longer version (Spork XM) I may have to check out this spring.
I usually just use the spoon end but it's nice to have the fork just in case.
They are a bit short for the larger Mountain House bags but LMF just came out with a slightly longer version (Spork XM) I may have to check out this spring.
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2009
- Messages
- 4,212
I’ve got a really elaborate and high end system I use. A fork and spoon from Wal-Mart. 6 for $1 knives, forks and spoons. I bought a set of each when I started college, used them all through and they’re all still alive. They’re really heavy though. If I spent an extra $25, I could shave off 1/16 oz for both.
I use my regular knife if I don’t want to have to upgrade to a frame pack if I’m carrying the butter knife as well.
Regardless of my eating utensils, if I can’t decide on which ones to choose, I just take all 3 and leave the water and food at home to save weight.
I use my regular knife if I don’t want to have to upgrade to a frame pack if I’m carrying the butter knife as well.
Regardless of my eating utensils, if I can’t decide on which ones to choose, I just take all 3 and leave the water and food at home to save weight.