In going through my silverware drawer (of which none is actually silver), I am presented with a plethora of choices.  Mind you, these choices are not simply between fork and spoon.  No, they run deeper and present themselves as 12 different sizes of fork – representing at least 8 distinct patterns.

As with us all, I’m sure that my cutlery set could act as a biographical study of my life’s journey thus far.  I see pieces that originated at my wedding in 1994.  There are pieces that chronogically pre-date myself – as I inherited many of the camping utilities from my grandparents once the decision was made to sell the camper and spend the later years home.  And there is always that basic set of Walmart-grade, 99cent silverware bought in desperation after realizing that 20 relatives are soon to appear at the doorstep, eagerly anticipating Thanksgiving dinner.

For me, it is time to begin anew – to vanquish the mis-matched variety and settle upon a single set of cutlery that defines me.

I am acutely aware of how the choice of cutlery makes a clear statement of your own personality and values.  While recently visiting a wonderful pair of friends for dinner, I was proudly presented with the fact that I was indeed eating with a set of Ginsu Knifes.  These were not mere modern forgeries – no they were, in fact, the real deal coming out of the 1970′s (still quite sharp by the way and still under warranty).  The fact that these very knifes actually told a lot about their owners shows that choice of cutlery is on-par with the type of car each of us drives or the style of clothes we wear.

In order to choose a set for myself – it takes a lot of soul-searching to really uncover what statement I need to be making with cutlery.

  • Am I someone who wants to exude class and refinement – ala Mercedes Benz and Grey Poupon – by having very stately, formal cutlery?
  • Am I looking for the warm and affection of a “ma and pa in the country cabin” set with rounded features and plastic handles?
  • Do I try for uber-shiek, modernism with shapes that only loosely represent the accepted standards of fork, spoon, and knife?

These are tough choices to make – on par with looking in the mirror and asking, “who is it that I truly am?”

For me – strong and Scandinavian has won out as my message of choice.  And where better to find such a physical manifestation of this statement than Ikea.

Now, Ikea is not a simple place to navigate, especially around the kitchenwares section of the store.  For, as much as “strong and Scandinavian” is prevelant on the shelves, it is intermingled with “trashy and Taiwanese”.  Fortunately, I make my statement in a line of cutlery called “365+”, proudly designed by Nicolas Cortolezzis (it says this on EACH piece of cutlery, lest I forget).

Yes – this cutlery says a lot about me.  Strong and hefty to the touch – very well-balanced in hand.  There is very little “flash” to the outward appearance, as functionality is emphasized over fashion.  A little sense of “European sheik” with design lines that are smooth and seldom straight.  It has the ability to polarize its users, as not all would be comfortable forking up their favorite hotdish – the proportions are not intended for large mouthfuls.  But, it has the fortitude to last a lifetime in service – from the most elegant of meals, to Cap’n Crunch on Sunday mornings.

Like I said – it says a lot about me.

Thus, I will be doing away with the dentist office’s wishing well that is my current cutlery drawer and giving it a Scandinavian make-over.