forkspoon

Forkspoon is a term used to describe a hybrid eating utensil that combines features of a fork and a spoon. In its common form, a forkspoon has a spoon-shaped bowl with short tines at the tip, enabling both scooping and spearing of food. Some designs place the tines along one edge of the bowl, while others feature a rounded bowl with a few raised tines near the center. The goal is to provide versatility for foods that require stabbing and scooping, such as pasta with sauce, salads with chunky vegetables, or soft desserts.

Materials and construction vary. Most forkspoons are made of stainless steel for durability and reusability, but disposable plastic versions are available for travelers. Camping or travel models may be foldable or nestable to save space, while others are standard long-handled utensils in a single piece.

Variations and relation to sporks. The forkspoon concept is closely related to the spork, and many manufacturers market forkspoons as variants of sporks with different proportions or edge configurations. Some models include serrated edges to aid cutting.

Use and practicality. Forkspoons are common in camping kits, airline or hotel cutlery, and school lunch programs, where reducing the number of utensils is advantageous. They offer convenience and compactness but may compromise performance compared with dedicated spoons or forks, and some designs can be harder to clean.

History and terminology. The combined spoon–fork idea has appeared in various forms since the early 20th century, with multiple patents and prototypes. In practice, the term forkspoon is less widely used than spork, which remains the dominant name for this class of utensil.