What's the best plastic cutlery?

Jeff Clark

Jeff Clark

Joined
Apr 27, 1999
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I'm going to Washington DC and the museums have virtually a "no metal object" policy. It goes way beyond banishing dangerous objects. They seem afraid that you will hijack the Smithsonian with a toenail clipper. Just in case I needed to open a box of corn flakes, which supermarket or restaurant supply brand of plastic cutlery is best for the task? I know that I have seen some pretty good clear plastic knives from somewhere like Sam's club, but I don't recall where. I also don't need 500 of them.
 
You might first look at the material, polycarbonate probably the best.
 
If you could get you hands on some delrin plastic you could make a little cutting tool.
 
Busse had the Stealth Hawk, there's one for sale on the exchange, not my cup of tea personally.

Edit: My reading comprehension is lacking at times, I just saw that you said "supermarket or restaurant supply brand of plastic cutlery", the Stealth Hawk definately doesn't fall into that category. Oops.
 
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Thanks folks, keep those ideas rolling in. Esav's Lexan camping knife seems like the best fit so far.
PS. Lexan is polycarbonate.
 
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I used to carry a Lexan tableware set in my briefcase. It was neater eating with it than with the flimsy take-out utensils. I generally pack a titanium spork now but that won't work in DC's "fly naked" tourist zones. :)
 
fehrmanknives.com Check out the easy open letter opener. 10 bucks. I have several, and they go anywhere you don't get patted down or physically searched. Nice!
 
My first experiment seems to be a failure. I went to the local R.E.I. and got a couple polycarbonate knives. They were too dull to cut anything with their stock edge. I sharpened one to about a 40 degree included angle with a file. This would not cut a corrugated cardboard box (at all) and the "edge" was rounded off. I put a more convex edge on it by stropping on sandpaper and likewise could not saw through cardboard. I had better luck sawing through cardboard with a standard plastic knife from our office lunch room. This had sort of a notched serration to the edge that would at least start to saw through cardboard.
 
I'm not looking for tough plastic, just something hard and smooth. Maybe I should try cutting up a CD and sharpening it.
 
Jeff Clark said:
I'm not looking for tough plastic, just something hard and smooth. Maybe I should try cutting up a CD and sharpening it.
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Well, you said in the OP, plastic. Lexan, as has already been mentioned, is one of the best options.
Jeff Clark said:
Maybe I should try cutting up a CD and sharpening it.
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Good luck explaining that away in D.C. First you only wanted to cut open Corn Flakes (as to why you'd need a knife for that at all, I don't know), now you are on to corrugated cardboard. If you are going to D.C. and visit museums (as your OP suggested), why is slicing up corrugated boxes a necessity? Outside of picnicking, why would you be cutting up anything as just a visitor? Your tale is getting kind of dodgy.
 
yea, i gotta say i'm a little confused, too. if you're (honestly) just looking for plastic disposable silverware, i don't see why it would be such a decision. i use ALOT of plastic silverware, at work, i buy the clear stuff. it's strong, but cheap. some semi-generic brand called "homelife crystal dinner ware".

if, on the other hand, you're looking for a non-metallic edged weapon, you should just ask.
 
Jeff Clark said:
I'm going to Washington DC and the museums have virtually a "no metal object" policy. It goes way beyond banishing dangerous objects. They seem afraid that you will hijack the Smithsonian with a toenail clipper. Just in case I needed to open a box of corn flakes, which supermarket or restaurant supply brand of plastic cutlery is best for the task? I know that I have seen some pretty good clear plastic knives from somewhere like Sam's club, but I don't recall where. I also don't need 500 of them.
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I don't know where you heard of a no metal objects policy, but we live just outside of D.C. in the Maryland suburbs and go down to the National Gallery Of Art and the Smithsonian museums, the National zoo, the International Spy museum, and the food court at Union Station very often. I've had zero problem with a small 84mm sak like my bantam, and a Victorinox classic on my keyring.

As a tourist in that part of D.C., you won't need anything more than a keychain penknife. On the other hand, the Capital has a no knife policy, as does the White House tours.

Really comfortable walking shoes are going to be way more important to you than a knife. I suggest athletic shoes with Spenco inserts. Trust me.
 
That is one sweet spork. Do they only come in blue?

The clip makes it into an almost "tactical spork".

Clear or camo would be a little more manly.
 
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