Camping silverware

[Corey]

My current set of silverware is from the 50s or 60s, it was my grandparents.
I remember eating with the long utensils when we made the trek from Seattle to Portland many times a year to visit my fathers parents.

The silverware I have used for the past twenty or more years in my camping supply stuff for when my boy's and I had our tent trailer many years ago, and I have used them for the past three seasons with my new roof top tent while camping.

I am going to retire them and put them away for safe keeping, as they could very well be real silver.
I found my replacement set earlier in the year on Cabelas site, and I placed an order earlier today for the "bear" ones.
Cabela's 20-Piece Flatware Set

They have seven different designs, and I liked the bear ones the best.

The reviews for the set look very good.
These are not flimsy sets, they can take a beating and should outlast me

I like them because of that and also the outdoor design on them.

 

[Mc Taco]

They look cool. I like the idea of luxury items on the trail. My initial concern is the nooks and crannies on the handle. Great place for nasties to hide out on long trips between really hot soapy water washes. Probably not really an issue, but like I said, initial thought/concern.

 

[Corey]

I never thought of that.
I scrub pretty good and use lots of soap.

I think after using them on a trip just to be safe I will put them in the dishwasher for a thorough cleaning.

My current home set is from the 70s I think, and they look brand new still after many hand washings and dishwasher washings.

I have looked at many sets of flatware for camping, and nothing has really jumped out at me until I saw these sets.

For dishes, I am still using that blue enameled stuff.
Pretty heavy, and I may switch to something else in the future if I can find something durable for outdoors.
At home I have been using a Corelle set from the mid 80s I bought back then.

 

[4Rocker]

Have you considered using plastic utensils? Metal utensils will scratch teflon coated pots and pans if youre not careful. Plastic utensils are lighter too and make less noise when bouncing around.

 

[Uncle Roger]

They're certainly cool, but I have to admit that I'm cheap. Really cheap. I use a couple of sets from Ikea that were about $4 for 4 place settings. I want to build a chuckbox similar to yours and JJBiggs' and want to get some durable but lightweight plates, bowls, etc. to keep in it (with extras for when one breaks). I'm looking at restaurant stuff for that.

 

[Corey]

Have you considered using plastic utensils? Metal utensils will scratch teflon coated pots and pans if youre not careful. Plastic utensils are lighter too and make less noise when bouncing around.

I have nice Lexan ones that I used long ago for backpacking to save weight.
I only use cast iron when cooking, I hate coated non stick pots.
Plus I am rig camping, so weight is not an issue here.

They're certainly cool, but I have to admit that I'm cheap. Really cheap. I use a couple of sets from Ikea that were about $4 for 4 place settings. I want to build a chuckbox similar to yours and JJBiggs' and want to get some durable but lightweight plates, bowls, etc. to keep in it (with extras for when one breaks). I'm looking at restaurant stuff for that.

One reason I am looking into lighter plates than the steel ones I have used for years, they are heavy, and the chuckbox is already quite heavy.

I do not mind spending the bucks on good gear, as it is all going to get passed on someday to my family.

My parents always bought the best they could afford (rubbed off on me), and I am the recipient of their high quality bedroom furniture and living room furniture they bought back in the late 70s.

All the wood looks brand new still, very expensive stuff back then like Lane and Thomasville.

 

[Spur]

I'm partial to Bamboo cutlery for backpacking and camping.

I have a few of THESE and I like them.

The chopsticks get used more than anything. I make a lot of stir-fry, curries, and asian noodles.

The bamboo doesn't scratch teflon and it naturally resists bacteria. The only problem is that the knife is worthless for actually cutting anything, obviously.

A nice set of steak knives is helpful and I've had [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Henckels-S-O-S-Carbon-Stainless-Knives/dp/B00004RFMC/ref=sr_1_5?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1284573403&sr=1-5"]THESE[/ame] for years and liked them.

 

[Lichen]

Beside Lexan, I use old Army utensils that came with the steel mess kits.

 

[Wyowanderer]

I bougt a set of oneida "voila" at a garage sale years ago. Fancier (in appearance, not value or cost) than I need buy sort of cool. Paid a coulpe bucks for the set of four place settings, a soup ladle, and tea spoons.

 

[DontPanic42]

I have replaced all my enameled steel plates and bowls with stainless steel. You can find ones that are lighter than steel and they don't chip.
A hand washing brush like the one used in the scrub area of the OR will clean crud out of the silverware. Clean between the tines of your forks. It is amaziing how stuff can hide there and you don't see it until there is a large buildup. A cap full of Clorox in the wash water takes care of most bacteria.
I also use bamboo implements for contact with my cookware.
I must admit after I had to become a licensed food handler, I have become a bit of a fanatic when it comes to cleaning my dishware, pots and pans, particularly when I am out in the field.

 

[4Rocker]

Plus I am rig camping, so weight is not an issue here.

One reason I am looking into lighter plates than the steel ones I have used for years, they are heavy, and the chuckbox is already quite heavy.

 

[Corey]

That can be a bit confusing,
I want nice silverware that is not flimsey, so hence the weight on it is not important.

The steel enameled plates I have currently however are very heavy, much heavier than my everyday Corelle ones at home.

 

[Corey]

They came, I saw, I like.
Just washed them up by hand, they are drying on a towel, then I will hand dry them later.

Instructions say they are machine washable, but not to use any detergent that has lemon in it.
Shoot, my Cascade liquid soap I use in the dishwasher has lemon in it.

Anyways, they are heavy, very heavy.
They seem to be very high quality.
I might have to retire my everyday home set and pick up the elk ones for home.
They are nice, but they were my parents everyday silverware from the 80s.
As you may have read in other threads by me, I inherited quite a few old things from my parents after they passed away.
I am glad I got them, as I had to start from scratch after a very nasty divorce in the late 80s.

Will be putting the short forks away for safe keeping, I only need to use the regular length forks with the rest of the set for camping.

Anyone looking for a high quality set for camping (where weight is not a concern) or for home should check these out from Cabelas.