Knork
Encyclopedia
A knork is a hybrid form of cutlery which combines the cutting capability of a knife and the spearing capability of a fork into a single utensil. The word knork is a portmanteau of knife
and fork
. Typically, one or both of the outer edges of a fork-like utensil are sharpened to allow the user to cut their food.
An advantage of the knork is that it can be used easily by people who have only one arm; Roald Dahl
reports in Boy
how his father invented a knork precursor as a result of losing his arm. Indeed a knork may also be known as a Nelson fork, after Horatio Nelson who used this type of cutlery after losing his right arm in 1797.
One page in the 9th chapter of the Codex Seraphinianus
shows a knork-like utensil. Several patents have been issued for designs of knorks, such as #RE9687 issued to Arthur W. Cox in 1881, #1294031 issued to Henry J. Bigelow in 1919, and #2185942 issued to Charles Frank in 1940.
In a sense, a pastry fork
is a precursor of the knork, since it is also a fork designed to be used as a knife for cutting food.
Knife
A knife is a cutting tool with an exposed cutting edge or blade, hand-held or otherwise, with or without a handle. Knives were used at least two-and-a-half million years ago, as evidenced by the Oldowan tools...
and fork
Fork
As a piece of cutlery or kitchenware, a fork is a tool consisting of a handle with several narrow tines on one end. The fork, as an eating utensil, has been a feature primarily of the West, whereas in East Asia chopsticks have been more prevalent...
. Typically, one or both of the outer edges of a fork-like utensil are sharpened to allow the user to cut their food.
An advantage of the knork is that it can be used easily by people who have only one arm; Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter pilot and screenwriter.Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander...
reports in Boy
Boy (book)
Boy: Tales of Childhood is the first autobiographical book by British writer Roald Dahl. It describes his life from birth until leaving school, focusing on living conditions in Britain in the 1920s and 1930s, the public school system at the time, and how his childhood experiences led him to...
how his father invented a knork precursor as a result of losing his arm. Indeed a knork may also be known as a Nelson fork, after Horatio Nelson who used this type of cutlery after losing his right arm in 1797.
One page in the 9th chapter of the Codex Seraphinianus
Codex Seraphinianus
Codex Seraphinianus is a book written and illustrated by the Italian artist, architect and industrial designer Luigi Serafini during thirty months, from 1976 to 1978...
shows a knork-like utensil. Several patents have been issued for designs of knorks, such as #RE9687 issued to Arthur W. Cox in 1881, #1294031 issued to Henry J. Bigelow in 1919, and #2185942 issued to Charles Frank in 1940.
In a sense, a pastry fork
Pastry fork
A pastry fork, also known as a "pie fork", is a fork designed for eating pastries and other desserts while holding a plate. The fork has 3 or 4 tines...
is a precursor of the knork, since it is also a fork designed to be used as a knife for cutting food.