Eating Utensils for Hiking/Camping?

[nate j]

As the title implies, I’m curious what eating utensils everyone likes/uses for hiking/camping.


The ideal solution would be functional, versatile, lightweight, inexpensive, easy to clean/sanitize, and not a puncture hazard.


I’ve tried or at least considered a number of options, but none seem wholly satisfactory…


Full-size separate fork & spoon (either “camp” or out of the drawer at home) - This is generally my choice.  No compromise here in terms of functionality, cost is low, easy to clean/sanitize; but may not be the lightest option and I’m always a bit concerned that the fork will end up puncturing something I’d prefer it didn’t.


Hobo knife or similar - Seems like these are heavy and difficult to clean/sanitize, and good quality ones tend to be expensive.  I’ve also come to the conclusion that I don’t need a separate knife for food, as I’m always carrying another knife that will do the job if food needs to be cut.  About the only advantage I can see to this type of tool is that the pointy bits are usually well protected when folded.


Spork  - Many have handles that are too short to work well.  They appear to come in two basic varieties. 

The first, which I’ll call single-ended, has only one end to eat off, and usually the characteristic spoon shape with very short fork tines.  I feel like these are a poor substitute for a real fork, and only slightly better as a spoon.  Not a fan.

The second type, which I’ll call double-ended, features a fork and spoon at opposite ends of the same handle.  Seems like it could be a good option, if I can find one that is well-designed and executed.


DIY - Some advocate for making one’s own eating utensils as needed.  According to Nessmuk, “It is not necessary to take table cutlery into the woods. A good fork may be improvised from a beech or birch stick; and the half of a fresh-water mussel shell, with a split stick by way of handle, makes an excellent spoon.”  Perhaps I simply require practice, but this approach seems to me inefficient at best, and at worst a non-starter if suitable materials aren’t readily available.


Chopsticks - I’ve considered this as an alternative.  While I’m actually pretty good with chopsticks, I find that while certain foods are easy to eat with them, others can range from difficult to virtually impossible.  Doesn’t have the versatility to handle all foods.


So, what do you prefer and why?  Any options I’m overlooking?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I tend to keep going back to the Light My Fire Spork, which has been repeatedly stated that it is not a spork as it has a spoon on one end and a fork on the other rather than having tines cut into the bowl of the spoon.  I am really not up on the technical requirements of sporks, so I don't let that get in the way of using them!



I have some similar ones made by Outbound, a brand owned by Canadian Tire and I like them as well because they have a bit of jimping in the middle for better grip.

I've had a whole lot of different utensils for camping and outdoor eating, but the price, quality, availability and effectiveness keep me going back to the Light My Fire spork and the Outbound copies.

But, as you can see, this is a topic that has been covered a lot over the years, so there's obviously no right answer!   

Camping Utensils

Let's talk about sporks baby

My Sporks for Merit Badge

So much food, why not use a spork or three?

The Spork's weird history

And there is many, many more threads than just those!   

I have used a whole bunch of different ones over the years though- from a full set of utensils that are held together with a carabiner to a one handed opening, liner locking tactical spork, to a Light My Fire style spork that has tines on the bowl and a knife blade in place of the fork. 



I am always interested in hearing what works for other people!

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

I knew there was a spork I was forgetting....

Similar in style to the Light My Fire and Outbound sporks, these models from UCO are a bit sturdier.  I still wouldn't try eating an overcooked steak with them, but they are quite nice. 



Def

[MadPlumbarian]

Not the best of pics but I have no clue where they are, I did find the yellow light my fire one cause the kid and his buddy are going camping and he has a mess kit but he wasn’t sure if his buddy would remember to bring something, I like the light my fire ones, I even used it for a year straight,, those others like the black one on the right even has a salt and pepper shaker on the end, and the one next to it folds, that’s in the mini kit..
JR

[MadPlumbarian]

Better pic, like I said the kids going on a mini camping trip so I dug a few must haves, but you also can’t forget the famous multitool 1M post spork! 
JR

[nate j]

Thanks guys!

I’ve ordered a LMF Ti Spork.

I’m not keen on plastic utensils (prefer metal), but when I realized UCO also made a Ti version, I ordered one of those as well.

At around $25 each, these weren’t the cheapest options out there, but quite a bit less expensive than a quality hobo knife.

More to come when they arrive.

[MadPlumbarian]

Good choice, you get a full spoon and a full fork rather then a simple spork, and you can simply use any pocket knife,, that set I posted with the clip connecting them all is titanium, I used to keep them in my lunchbox, absolutely no taste like some metals, one reason I like the plastic ones.. I also had a light my fire triangle mess kit, I have no clue where it went but it should be in this house somewhere, but I did enough digging around for one day, when the kid came home from work he looked everything over and was shocked,  he was like “wow, you really know how to be prepared”, and I told him “and I’m passing the knowledge on to you, it’s my job of being a father”! I think I hit a nerve, cause he didn’t speak and kept looking at each of the utensils,,
JR

[nate j]

They have arrived!

As expected, both are very lightweight.  Each weighs just 19 g on my scale.  They are thin and light enough for me to question how durable/rugged they will be, but I need to keep in mind that they are Ti.  The UCO feels a little more solid in hand, I suspect because the mid-section is wider.

The LMF version has a very consistent matte sort of finish.  The UCO version is shinier, but finish is less consistent.

The LMF spoon is a little larger and more oval-shaped, but shallower.  The UCO spoon is slightly smaller and more squarish, but deeper.

The LMF fork is a little broader, but the tines are sharper on the UCO.  Sharper tines are probably an advantage in use, but a disadvantage when carrying.

Both have a serrated “knife” edge on one side of the fork.  Neither seems particularly sharp, but that is fine with me.  I would rather not accidentally cut my mouth when eating with the fork, and I’ll always have real knives available should anything actually need to be cut.

An interesting feature of the UCO is the two lashing holes.  These would make it easy to hang up to dry or attach to a pack, and it even comes with its own little bungee cord for this purpose.

I haven’t eaten with either yet, so more to come then.

[nate j]

Finally got a chance to go out for the day.

I elected to use the spoon end of the LMF Spork to consume my lunch.  I do wish the whole implement were just a bit longer, but otherwise it was satisfactory.

Unfortunately, I can’t recommend the Mexican Style Adobo Rice & Chicken.  It wasn’t awful, just a bit bland and tasteless IMO.  I have a few more of these and they won’t go to waste, but I won’t be buying more.

My oldest son laid claim to the UCO Spork, and reported the spoon end was adequate to eat his macaroni & cheese.  (Sorry no pic.)

[Farmer X]

Duly noted on the meal. I've had a couple of Mountain House offerings. Teriyaki chicken was okay, but I could have done without the peas. Breakfast skillet wasn't too bad. Unfortunately, Meijer no longer has them on sale.

[Jack the Zipper]

Our national treasure, the og spoon-fork LuHa (lusikka-haarukka) has served our military, boy scouts, hikers and the like for about a hundred years. Unlike the LMF spork (of which I have in plastic and titanium) it is big enough for actual cooking. Heavy? Sure. It's a tank.

[Farmer X]

I like the looks of that combo. I may have to have one of the Finns ship me one when I have a little more discretionary income!

[nate j]

Duly noted on the meal. I've had a couple of Mountain House offerings. Teriyaki chicken was okay, but I could have done without the peas. Breakfast skillet wasn't too bad. Unfortunately, Meijer no longer has them on sale.

My favorite so far is the Fettucini Alfredo with Chicken.  Not only is it tasty, but (while MH says it is two servings) I find it just about the right size for lunch.  Some of the other smaller meals leave me still hungry.   The Yellow Curry is also pretty good, but a smaller portion.