Spoons. The soft, round utensils that are used to eat some of the best food there is.

Forks. Slightly dangerous, even though a fork is possibly one of the more useful utensils.

Although both are very important pieces of cutlery, has anyone ever stopped and thought about the qualities that make each one a vital part of eating? Furthermore, has anyone ever thought about which one might even be superior?

Let’s start with discussing the qualities of a spoon. They are shaped as most basic utensils are; with a handle on one end, and the “eating-end” on the other. Spoons are rounded, with usually soft edges. They’re safe. You could feel good about leaving your children alone with a spoon. Spoons can be used for eating such delicious foods as ice cream, chicken soup, cereal, and pudding. Besides eating, spoons can also be used in the preparation of food. As a child, I don’t ever remember asking my mom if I could lick the fork she was using when she was done stirring.

Forks, as previously stated, are highly useful. Their sharp prongs are excellent for spearing food, and the flat surface can also be used for scooping things up. On the other hand, forks can also be dangerous if not handled by a licenced professional. Every year, the equivalent population of a small city dies from fork-related injuries. Although spoons are used to eat such culinary miracles as ice cream, forks can hold their own in that department as well.