Knork
A knork (
/ˈnɔrk/) 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.[1]
One page in the 9th chapter of the Codex Seraphinianus shows a knork-like utensil.[2] Several patents have been issued for designs of knorks, such as #RE9687 issued to Arthur W. Cox in 1881,[3] #1294031 issued to Henry J. Bigelow in 1919,[4] and #2185942 issued to Charles Frank in 1940.[5]
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.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ [1] "Combined knife and fork", National Maritime Museum website
- ^ Serafini's Codex: the Allien Encyclopedia
- ^ Patent RE9687 "Combined Knife And Fork"
- ^ Patent 1294031 "Fork"
- ^ Patent 2185942 "Table Service"
