Traveling cutlery: what are and how to choose?

Modern manufacturers of goods for an active lifestyle have stepped far forward compared to the last century. Today, to go hiking, you do not need to sacrifice comfort, limit yourself to something, or carry a huge heavy backpack. Everything has become technological, easy and convenient - clothes, equipment and even dishes. For example, camping cutlery is no longer weighty spoons and forks, but rather practical items made from optimal materials. Consider the main types, features and selection rules cutlery for tourists.

First, let's talk about forks and spoons. We consider knives separately, since such an item requires a little more attention. Travel appliances can be classified into several categories. Products have certain functions, are performed by domestic and foreign manufacturers of various materials.

Since the campaign is extremely important to reduce the weight and amount of equipment, all items should be as practical as possible. Therefore, often an ordinary spoon can be both a fork and a bottle opener, and even a small knife. When choosing a multifunctional cutlery, remember that Combined items usually have a number of drawbacks.

This parameter should be given special attention, since the weight, strength and practicality of tourist cutlery directly depend on it. Consider the best options.

• Titanium. If it is important for you that the device is as light as possible, but it does not break at the most inappropriate moment, then choose spoons and forks of titanium. Any climber or person who often travels with a backpack will certainly prefer this particular material.

• Plastic. Devices from this raw material are distinguished by minimum weight, low price, availability. This is a great option for people who go on not too long trips. But plastic devices have a number of drawbacks. In particular, this material is very fragile. The device made of plastic is easily damaged during transportation or accidentally melted from hot dishes or fire. In addition, plastic is not the most environmentally friendly material.

• Aluminum. Great for making tourist cutlery, because it has a light weight, sufficient strength and low price. In addition, spoons and forks made of aluminum do not rust, which means that such devices will serve you for a long time.

• Stainless steel. Devices made from this material are also durable and affordable. However, they will weigh quite a lot, especially when compared with aluminum or plastic products. If this indicator is not too important for you, feel free to choose spoons and forks from the "stainless steel".

Most often dining items for trips are sold immediately in the set. They can be connected with each other with a special carbine, they can be completed in a plastic case or a textile case. More expensive items are presented in stores separately. Devices can be foldable or full size.

Today it is quite easy to find high-quality road equipment of Russian, German and many other companies. We list several specific brands that are worth paying attention to.

• MSR. This company produces light and reliable spoons, the handle of which is turned into a tool. For example, in the key for the maintenance and repair of burners. This approach will certainly appreciate the connoisseurs of practicality.

• Primus Spork. Often, tourists try to reduce weight, the number of things and equipment to the maximum, which is reflected even in cutlery. This company took into account this trend and presented to customers a practical spoon-fork-knife. On one side of the handle - a full spoon, on the other - a fork. In this case, one prong of the fork is a knife. It is hard to imagine a more thoughtful technology.

• Snow Peak. The manufacturer also produces spoons, but only in a slightly different format. Scoop spoons are equipped with special slots, which replace the usual fork.

There are other good manufacturers of cutlery for tourists. Most often sold separately forks and spoons or sets of these two items. The knife is not always included in the kit, because most often the tourist already has a hiking cutter. This item has a lot more requirements than an ordinary fork or spoon. Let us consider in more detail the choice of tourist cutter.

First of all, it should be noted that not every knife can be taken so easily with you on a journey. After all, it is a real edged weapon. Of course, if you purchase such an item in a good tourist shop, it already has a certificate confirming the safety of the product. If the knife got you from someone or you bought it in another place, make sure that it has a blade thickness of more than 5 mm, and a length of not more than 9 cm.

Tourist knives as a design happen folding and full-size. Most often, hikers choose the first option, since it takes up less space and eliminates the risk of accidental exposure of the blade. However, the more complex the mechanism, the easier it is to break it. Therefore, carefully choose the folding blades.

Blades are most often made of two types of steel: stainless and carbon. The first material is not exactly rust even with heavy use. However, it is not the easiest to sharpen and less robust than carbon steel. Minus last - susceptibility to corrosion.

There are some general guidelines for choosing appliances.

1. Consider the specifics of the campaign. If you are not going to the big mountains or hiking "ultralight", it is not necessary to choose the most technologically advanced weightless objects. After all, the cost is quite high, and at an ordinary picnic you will definitely not appreciate the beauty of technology.
2. Be attentive to the details. The fewer the better. For example, a folding spoon breaks down much faster than a full-size device from the same material. Therefore, if it is not important for you to save a couple of centimeters in a backpack, you can not choose folding products.
3. Look for a good store. Products of famous manufacturers are often faked. Therefore, be sure to ask the seller for product certificates, especially for knives. And of course, do not take seriously the offers to buy a genuine Swiss knife for 300 rubles. A high quality product always has a corresponding value.
4. Save wisely. If for the upcoming trip you need a minimum of things, then choose lightweight cutlery correctly. For example, you should not buy too small or uncomfortable folding appliances, they will be less convenient to use.

About what outdoor devices are, see the next video.