Pocket Sized Collapsible Eating Utensils.

Intro: Pocket Sized Collapsible Eating Utensils.

In this instructable, I'll show you how to make some really cool, collapsible, and versatile eating utensils. They're great on-the-go silverware, cooking, sampling foods, and endless possibilities!!! Read on for some funky utensils that will make you the envy of your friends.

These utensils can be collapsed to be pocket sized, and even smaller than normal eating utensils, or they can be extended for any sized hand. They're sturdy, and will last a long, long time.

ENJOY!! And please don't forget to VOTE for this instructable if you enjoyed it. I also appreciate comments.

PLEASE VOTE IF YOU LIKE THIS INSTRUCTABLE.

STEP 1: Materials and Tools.

For this little pocket project your going to need:

A spoon you don't mind getting rid of.
An extendable radio or television antenna.
Something to cut both the antenna and spoon.
Two part epoxy, JB weld for example.

I used a spoon with a narrow, neck, I guess you could call it. The narrower the better, this means that you can use one of the smaller slots on the antenna, therefore being able to make it extend further.

I used an antenna from a boombox I found at the dump, so far, it's one of the best uses I have found for them.

STEP 2: Cut Spoon and Antenna.

Gather your spoon and your cutting device. You could use a hack saw, tin snips, aviation shears, a dremel, or break it off in a vice or the likes. Cut the head of the spoon off about one half of an inch down the neck, leaving your self with a little room for the spoon to fit into the antenna.

Now, take the head of the spoon and compare it to the different sized sections of the antenna. Find one of the sections that looks like it's the same width of the neck of the spoon, and cut ONE SIZE SMALLER than that piece. Push the cut off end into the bigger piece and make sure the spoon fits in the end.

STEP 3: Construct Extending Spoon.

Now, take the head of the spoon that you cut off in the last step and make sure one last time that it fits in the section of the antenna that you wanted it to. If it doesn't fit quite right, use some pliers to flatten the antenna section just a bit so the flattened part of the spoon fits better.

Prepare your epoxy, making sure that it's half and half in quantity of the black substance to white substance. Mix it together and put a dab into the end of the antenna where the spoon will go.

Insert the end of the spoon into the dab, and then get some more epoxy mixture and put it around the part where the antenna meets spoon. Smooth it out and let it dry. I think that JB weld, what I used, takes something like 12 hours to dry at a warmish temperature. When it's done drying you can use it for a multitude of things.

STEP 4: Old Utensil and New Utensil Comparisons.

After your utensil dries, you can make another for a matching set. So far I have done one fork and one spoon. These extending utensils can be used for many things. Fondue parties where an extending fork is neccesary, wanting to use your own silverware at resteraunts, going to an even where unsure if there will be utensils, bar-b-queing, reaching into deep pots of hot liquids, reaching over other plates, and many other things.

Here are some comparison pictures of regular utensils and the extendable ones. Keep in mind that the extended utensils in unextended form do fit in pockets. In fact, they fit very well in pockets, and are great for traveling!! They can also be extended to fit any sized hands, from babies, to grown men.

I hope you have enjoyed this instructable, please leave a comment, and voting is most graciously appreciated! As in PLEASE VOTE!! I appreciate feedback and voting from all.

VOTE and enjoy the legacy of the extending utensils.....

Comments

[pablodacooki]

they sell these for like 5 bucks

[wenpherd]

so

[Fly4aWhiteGuy]

This is Instructibles... the correct word isn't "so", it's "sew".

[gunman15]

1 of my cheap spoons broke so im hot glueing it to my lighter leash that i got a while back

[wtfnot]

very good for people with short arms :)

[JamesTB13]

Ok. Straight from the JB Weld website: ' Is JB Weld toxic?' 'No, JB Weld is non-toxic, but we don't recommend consuming it.' There you go, just don't eat the JB Weld. Also, JB Weld has a tensile strength of 3960 psi, and it can withstand a constant temperature of 500 degrees farenheit. So, you could pull on it really hard in a giant oven and it wouldn't break. Although, in a giant oven at 500 degrees, you'd die, anyway.

[raceryz350]

y?

[GianniMora]

this is awesome

[duck-lemon]

i'm gonna put 7 antennas together to make the
SUPER KNIFE...
well maybe

[corey_caffeine]

collapsible spear? perhaps?

[Briguy9]

This isn't collapsible, this is telescoping

[SpiroExDeus]

Just two concerns here. 1. Is JB Weld non-brittle/safe for human consumption? If not it might be better to use silver solder if you have the capability. 2. How would I stop my fork/knife from retracting to nothing if I was, say, cutting into a steak?

[guy90]

Have you thought about insulating the handles?- after all, you'll be holding these over or near a heat source, at some point. I find fire cement to be good for that, or little sheets of wood- for when i made saucepans.

[guy90]

Great idea! BBQ sessions will be easier, in the future

[SnuffyDaPenguin]

To keep the fork from stabbing in your pocket, stick it into a piece of cork or something.

[pdub77]

makes me think of 'dirty rotten scoundrels'

[Burf]

I don't want to be too negative, but it appears that the overall length of the utensils before and after is nearly the same. And, I can't think of many uses for the additional length afforded by the telescoping action. I have used almost the same technique to make what I call a "grabber" by epoxying a strong magnet to the end of the antenna. A well executed Instruct able, nonetheless.

[Gunk on Floor]

I see what you're saying and I agree. Though as I told Coerul, I tried to find the smallest antennas I had. Spoons and forks are already pocket sized, but I wanted to put a twist on them, because, well, it'd be kinda weird making an instructable on how to put a regular fork and spoon in your pocket. I have another trick up my sleeve though for a new instructable on telescoping items, but that will have to wait until I find one more antenna. ; ) Thanks!

[pdub77]

goodwill, my friend, is a wonderful place. a lot of good, cheap materials.

[Burf]

If you could figure out a way to make a locking hinge at the attachment point so the utensil could open and then close back against the handle. Then you might have a winner.