KNIFE AND FORK IN ONE STYLISH UTENSIL FROM BUCKINGHAM HEALTHCARE
(31.03.10)
The basic dinner fork hasn’t changed much in the past one thousand years, either in design or function. Until now!

Combining the utility of both the knife and the fork into a single, elegantly styled eating utensil, the Knork promises to revolutionise the way people eat.

Miss Chris Clarke, managing director for Buckingham Healthcare, the company with exclusive distribution for Europe, explains:

"The Knork was originally developed for eating Pizza. At parties and social gatherings, people often find themselves standing around trying to socialise and eat at the same time, using one hand to hold their plates and the other to try to cut and eat their food. The Knork is the answer."

But according to Chris, the product is gaining acceptance far beyond the party crowd.

"When people find a more functional way to do something, they tend to adopt it into their daily routines. The Knork changes the whole dynamic of dining. People like it because it’s simple; it makes sense. We’ve also come to realise what an asset this can be for people with special needs or limited motor skills."

Beautifully styled and finely crafted, at first glance the Knork looks like any other piece of elegant stainless steel flatware. In reality this beautiful utensil is unlike anything else on the market. And the proof is in the use. Incorporating critical modifications to the ages-old fork design, the Knork enables a user to both cut and spear food using only one utensil – and one hand.

• The head of the Knork features four tines – two inner tines shaped like those on a standard dinner fork, and two ingeniously designed outer tines which are both broader and more curved (or flared) than a standard fork. The edge of each outer tine is beveled. Although not sharp to the touch, it is this distinctive beveled-and-curved edge that facilitates cutting.

• The Knork’s smooth, contoured handle fits comfortably in either hand. Perfectly balanced, the handle provides added leverage when using the utensil as a knife, and greater stability when using it as a fork.

• Between the head and handle, the 'finger platform' offers optimal support and comfort. To cut food with a fork, a user gets leverage by pressing down on the handle with their index finger. With a standard fork, the handle’s edge can create a painful indentation in the fingertip. But the Knork’s 'finger platform' and uniquely designed head enable a user to apply the necessary cutting pressure without discomfort. While holding the Knork on edge and rocking its head back and forth (much like the action of a rocking chair), a user can easily cut through a variety of foods – pizza and pastas, vegetables, fruits and desserts, meats and fish, even steak! – using only one hand.

The Knork is available individually, in sets of four, or full place settings. In addition to the featured Place Knork described here, single 5-piece place settings include Salad Knork, Place Knife, Place Spoon and Teaspoon, all with the Knork’s distinctive styling, and all manufactured from the 18/10 forged stainless steel (18% chromium ensures durability, 10% nickel provides superior luster), hand formed from a single bar of the highest quality stainless steel available. Knork Flatware comes in three beautiful finishes: Gloss, Matte and Duo Finish.

Chris explains, "Although Buckingham Healthcare has been marketing and selling the Knork exclusively in Europe for two years this will be our first attendance at Exclusively Housewares. We are very excited about it and we are really looking forward to meeting and talking to everyone visiting and involved in the housewares business.

"At the show we will be exhibiting the full Knork range including a number of new additions in both Stainless Steel and premium quality plastic. We will be offering samples of the Knork to buyers and visitors to our stand to take away with them."

KNORK® is a registered trademark