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Forks date back to about 2400 BC, so humans have been eating with utensils for about 4,600 years, yet, somehow they’re so easy to forget when you’re packing for the field. Listen, if you don’t have a camping utensil, you’re not going to starve. You’re just going to eat with your bare hands, but we’re here to change that.
Camping utensils aren’t much different from the flatware you have at home, but they are different. They are usually designed to function as a fork, spoon, and knife. Sometimes, they’re contained in a single device while other times, they come in two- or three-piece sets. They’re also typically designed to be easy to pack and carry.
In this guide, we’ll show you the best camping utensils in a variety of categories. We’ll also reveal things to consider when you’re shopping for a camping utensil and frequently-asked questions.
- Best Overall: Orblue 4-in-1 2-pack
- Best Budget: Switch Spork 2-Piece
- Best for Cooking: The Muncher
- Best Lightweight: Navaris Titanium Camping Cutlery Set
- Best High-End: Adventure Chef Folding Camp Utensil
Best Overall
Orblue 4-in-1
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Dishwasher–safe
- Simple flatware design
Cons
- The construction feels cheap
- Bulky
Product Specs
- Weight: 9 ounces
- Product dimensions: Folded – 4.3 x 1.6 inches; opened – 7.5 inches
- Materials: Stainless steel
- Style: Folding two-piece
- Country of origin: China
Why It Made The Cut
- Right out of the box, the Orblue 4-in-1 has everything you need for a meal at the campsite. It’s a durable stainless steel folding utensil set at a low price.
Best Budget
UCO Switch Spork 2-Piece
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Dishwasher-safe
- Two-piece design that nests together
Cons
- Fork tines are wide
- Blade faces toward the user if left-handed
Product Specs
- Weight: 1 ounce
- Product dimensions: 7 x 1.3 x 1 inch when nested; extended – 10.3 inches
- Materials: Glass nylon
- Style: Two-piece
- Country of origin: Designed in California, made in China
Why It Made The Cut
- The intuitive Switch Spork is lightweight, durable, and priced accordingly. With a 4.8-star rating out of 1,600 reviews, most people think the simple design is perfect.
Best for Cooking
The Muncher
Product Specs
- Weight: 0.8 ounces
- Materials: Grade 1 polished titanium
- Style: Single piece
- Country of origin: Designed in California, made in China
Why It Made The Cut
- While expensive, yes, the lightweight and high-quality Muncher has more features than most single-piece style utensils on the market. With nine functions, Full Windsor calls it a multi-tool.
Best Lightweight
Navaris Titanium Camping Cutlery Set
Pros
- Multi-piece set
- Dishwasher-safe
- Fairly priced
Cons
- Blade is a blunted serration, tearing more than cutting
- The utensils bent very easily from little pressure
- Material consistently looks dirty as soon as you touch it
Product Specs
- Weight: 1.8 ounces
- Product dimensions: 6.3 to 6.9 inches in length
- Materials: Titanium
- Style: Multi-piece
- Country of origin: Germany
Why It Made The Cut
- The Navaris Titanium Camping Cutlery Set are fairly priced utensils for being made out of premium materials. The three-piece set also comes with a hefty D-ring and mesh carrying case.
Best for Eating
Adventure Chef Folding Camp Utensil
Pros
- Durable due to high-grade materials
- Sharp out of the box
- Designed for the adventure chef in mind
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
- Expensive compared to other models
- Bulky
Product Specs
- Weight: 5.2 ounces
- Open length: 7.5 inches; closed – 4.2 inches
- Materials: A mix of German X50 1.4116 steel at 56-58 HRC (hardness) and surgical steel with a carbonized maple or distressed linen handle
- Locking mechanism: Liner Lock
- Country of origin: China
Why It Made The Cut
- The Adventure Chef Folding Camp Utensil is the gold standard for a camping utensil. It’s simple, high-quality, and durable. It has a classic look and a sharp blade.
Things to consider before buying a camping utensil
Materials
Gear makers provide different quality options for a range of outdoorsmen, because some may depend on their utensils for an extended period of time and in extreme environments, while others just need something. Therefore, you’ll find the utensil part of a camping utensil constructed from materials like stainless steel, aluminum, nylon glass or plastic, and titanium. They result in different price and performance options.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel utensils are affordable and dependable. While it’s common and most often used to make flatware, it doesn’t always make the best camping utensil. Stainless steel is easy to clean and holds up well against the elements, but it will rust if it’s neglected. It’s also heavier than other options.
Aluminum
Aluminum camping utensils are some of the lightest and best all-around. They can even hold their own against more expensive materials like titanium, but they first need to be treated and hard-anodized, which strengthens the metal.
Glass nylon or plastic
Camping utensils made from glass nylon or plastic tend to be budget options. Compared to metal, the materials can be damaged by heat, and they dull and wear faster.
Titanium
Most premium camping utensils are constructed from titanium because the material is very lightweight and durable. It also has excellent corrosion resistance.
Style
Folding
Similar to the average Swiss Army knife, a folding style usually includes a knife, fork, and spoon. Minor variations exist with additions such as bottle openers, corkscrews, and can openers, etc. Some have designed their folding style all-in-one utensils to detach making it a practical option.
One-piece (commonly known as a spork)
A one-piece typically consists of a blade and other functional tools on one end and a spork on the other. The functionality varies between models, but all are designed to mitigate weight and keep all your needs in a single easy-to-use system.
Multi-piece
A multi-piece set has two or more utensils, typically sporting your average flatwares. Some designs feature utensils that detach, fitting in a small container about the size of an Altoids tin.
Folding multi-piece
Folding multi-piece sets are a hybrid option if you’re looking for the packability and maximum functionality of utensils. They often have a hinged area and come with a case to carry them. Some multi-piece folding sets are built in a few material options ranging from aluminum to steel. A good article to check out that covers a few options of folding multi-piece sets is found here.
FAQs about camping utensils
Q: How much does a camping utensil cost?
A: The price for camping utensils ranges from a couple of bucks to about $50. The less expensive options use less durable materials and simple designs, while the premium options are more akin to Swiss Army knives.
Q: Which is the best style of camping utensils?
A: If paired with a good knife, a single-piece titanium spork with multiple features will complement each other. If going for ease of use, one of the hybrid or multi-piece styles will be your best choice.
Q: What is the best material for camping utensils?
A: The absolute best camping utensils are made out of titanium. It’s a lightweight, durable, and corrosion-resistant material, but it’s also expensive. The runner-up is hard-anodized aluminum, and the most common is stainless steel.
Final thoughts
We landed firmly with our top picks due to their durability against the elements, dishwasher-safeness, cost, innovation, and ease of use. The Orblue 4-in-1 folding multi-piece camping utensil was a sure winner. For the price, and getting two utensils that detach, it’s hard to beat this camping utensil.
Methodology
In selecting the models shown here, we searched the internet for the highest-rated items using Google and Amazon, from reputable companies to industry standards being surpassed by innovation for the end user. Reading through hundreds and thousands of reviews, we selected our items based on multiple factors.
Our factors included weight, style, materials, and pricing. All of our choices, in some way shape or form, were designed to be environmentally conscious. By that, they are attempting to help save the environment by developing utensils that will last for years to cut down on waste.
Once we had our hands on our picks, we tested them by preparing food and eating with them. The menu we tested was your average campfire delights — grilled meats, vegetables, chili, or soup. This way, we can test out how convenient it is to even use these products. So not only do you get an honest and well-thought-out description of an item, but you also get our opinion on its function.
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