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Light My Fire Original Spork Review

An over engineered utensil reminiscent of plastic fast-food cutlery.
Light My Fire Original
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Price:  $3 List
Pros:  Inexpensive, minimal weight
Cons:  Serrated edge rough on fingers/mouth, breaks easily
Manufacturer:   Light My Fire
By Leslie Yedor ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 17, 2018
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36
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#10 of 10
  • Eating - 35% 3
  • Durability - 30% 2
  • Cooking - 20% 5
  • Cleaning - 15% 6

Our Verdict

The Light My Fire Original takes the typical hybrid utensil one step further by integrating a serrated knife edge. Made of a BPA-free plastic called Tritan, this product features a spoon on one end and a fork on the other with a serrated outer edge of one of the tines. While aiming for improved utility with its blend of the classic cutlery trifecta, this product, unfortunately, failed to outperform any of its competitors in all of the categories we tested. Most notably, it broke during regular use and failed to progress to our more advanced durability testing. For an equally low price, there are alternative durable models.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award  Best Buy Award 
Price $3 List$9.50 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers		$9.94 at Amazon$9.95 at REI$2.95 at REI
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Inexpensive, minimal weightFamiliar feel, long lasting, versatileSuper lightweight, quality material, comfortable to eat withGreat for JetBoils and dehydrated food bags, lightweightDurable plastic, excellent value
Cons Serrated edge rough on fingers/mouth, breaks easilyToo short for deep potsDoesn’t reach the bottom of dehydrated food bags, priceyAwkward shape for eating, doesn’t pack wellUncomfortable to hold, not very sanitary
Bottom Line An over engineered utensil reminiscent of plastic fast-food cutlery.This model is a utilitarian, familiar, and practically indestructible on-the-go utensil, earning it our Editors' Choice Award.This is our favorite model for long distance backpacking due to its durability despite a very minimal weight.This extra long utensil is the perfect tool for camp cooking but not without a minor sacrifices in comfort.This durable plastic utensil performed well across the board and boasts an inexpensive price tag, earning it our Best Buy Award.
Rating Categories Light My Fire Original Spork Snow Peak Titanium Spork Vargo Titanium ULV AlphaLight Spork - Long humangear GoBites Uno
Eating (35%)
10
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3
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
5
10
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6
Durability (30%)
10
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2
10
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9
10
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9
10
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9
10
0
7
Cooking (20%)
10
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5
10
0
7
10
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7
10
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9
10
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7
Cleaning (15%)
10
0
6
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
8
Specs Light My Fire... Snow Peak Titanium... Vargo Titanium ULV AlphaLight Spork -... humangear GoBites...
Material BPA-free Tritan plastic Titanium Titanium Aluminium alloy High-temp nylon
Measured weight (oz) 0.3 oz 0.6 oz 0.3 oz 0.4 oz 0.5 oz
Length 6.75" 6.5" 6.5" 8.5" 6.5"
Dishwasher safe? Yes Yes Yes No Yes - Top Rack

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Light My Fire Original is an exceptionally lightweight on-the-go utensil, weighing in at only 0.3-oz. Made of Tritan, its available in a wide variety of colors. While unique in design as a combination of a spoon, fork, and knife, this model was also without-equal in its low scores.

Performance Comparison


A clever combination of a spoon fork and knife this product fails to deliver in performance.
A clever combination of a spoon, fork, and knife, this product fails to deliver in performance.

Eating


One of the biggest drawbacks of this product is its serrated knife edge combined with the double-ended design. Located on the outside of one of the tines, the knife is sharp in both your mouth and your palm. As with all double-sided models, keeping both ends clean is a challenge. If you plan to switch from using the fork to the spoon end, expect hand grime in your food and food on your hand.

Spreading and slicing with the serrated edge performed worse than using the bowl for the same purpose. Overall, the addition of the serrated knife edge is a great example of over-engineering.

The spoon ended outperformed the serrated edge when cutting cheese.
The spoon ended outperformed the serrated edge when cutting cheese.

The spoon end did hold a large amount of fluid, so if you can get past holding a plastic knife edge, it works well as a soup spoon. You can forget about eating ramen noodles though, as the slippery plastic let them slide right back into the bowl.

Take note of how close this product is the bowl. Any higher and the noodles slide right off.
Take note of how close this product is the bowl. Any higher and the noodles slide right off.

Durability


We're sad to say this is the only model we tested that did not survive regular use. It snapped while cooking breakfast potatoes one fateful morning. One of our testers works as a backpacking guide, and his company provided this product to its participants. This utensil failed to survive for the majority of backpackers on every trip.

The LightMyFire was the only model that didn't survive general use during our testing period.
The LightMyFire was the only model that didn't survive general use during our testing period.

Cooking


Although still uncomfortable to hold, this model's one redeeming quality lands in this category. It was the only spork we tested that did not scratch a non-stick pan. That said, over time, sauteeing causes the tip of the spoon to deform due to the heat.

The serrated knife edge is rough in hand when trying to cook with the spoon end.
The serrated knife edge is rough in hand when trying to cook with the spoon end.

Cleaning


Cleaning this utensil proved surprisingly difficult. The constriction at the base of tines is angular rather than rounded making it hard to get food out from between tines. A sponge is necessary to get it thoroughly clean. As with the other plastic models, the protein in eggs adheres to the material, making breakfast clean-up a bit more involved.

Value


At $2.99, this product is inexpensive but don't expect it to last for long. Unless you don't really intend to use it out the house, it is worth paying more money for a more durable product. You don't need to spend much to secure a better deal.

Conclusion


With so many high scoring alternatives on the market, the Light My Fire Original earned its spot in the very back of this metaphorical silverware drawer. Whether for backpacking or everyday use, there are better options to choose from.


— Leslie Yedor