Toaks Titanium Review

The dual texture of this spork sets it apart from the competition, featuring a smooth bowl and a textured matte finish on the handle to create overall comfort and dexterity while eating on the go. While not as light as the Vargo or as durable as the Snow Peak, the Toaks scored highly throughout testing.

Performance Comparison

Eating

To determine the spork that performed the best in arguably the most important testing metric, we asked ourselves how comfortable and efficient the spork is to use with foods commonly consumed in the backcountry. We measured how much liquid the bowl of the spork would hold, we utilized the spork while eating a variety of different foods such as soup, pasta, and smaller grains, and finally, we noted how comfortable each spork felt in our mouths.

The Toaks outshined the competition in this category because it features a smooth texture on the bowl which allows for a comfortable and familiar mouthfeel. It was a touch nicer than the brushed metal finish and plastic bowls of other models we tested. The matte texture on the handle aids a solid grip while consuming those precious calories. It can hold around 15 ml or 1 teaspoon of liquid if you are considering hot soup in the backcountry. It performed well in every variety and texture of food that we consumed during testing. The only shortcoming is the length (6.625 inches), which isn't long enough to reach the bottom of some dehydrated meal bags without extending our fingers into the bag for added reach.

Durability

To test for the durability of each spork, we subjected them to five minutes beneath boiling water. We used them to stir a new jar of natural peanut butter. We tested to see if the spork would bend when used to scoop ice cream directly out of the freezer. Finally, we set up each spork on a flat surface, using a C-clamp to keep it in place while using a water jug to weight the spork with up to 10 lbs.

Ultimately, we found that this Titanium spork bent rather easily compared to other top contenders such as the Snow Peak and the Vargo Ultralight. The handle started to bend while scooping ice cream but was easily moved back into place and it can stir natural peanut butter without issue or deformation. However, after hanging ten pounds of water off the handle, the handle bent significantly and could not be re-shaped into its original form. All to say that it has some flex and there are other sporks, such as the Snow Peak, that feature a more durable design for a similar value. Still, we think this spork is strong enough to withstand years and years of regular, non-abusive use.

Cooking

Even though it is not the main purpose for the spork, we wanted to see how well each spork performed while cooking with a variety of different foods. We asked ourselves how well each spork performed while cutting, spreading, scooping, etc., and noted the results. Then we wanted to know which sporks were long enough to reach the bottom of a dehydrated food bag, a one-liter pot, and a Nalgene bottle. We also noted which sporks performed better than others when scraping the pan after the cooking is complete as well as which sporks would scratch a nonstick pan while stirring the food during the process.

The Toaks is excellent for spreading foods like peanut butter and jelly, the prongs are more than enough to stab a thick slice of salami or hunk of cheese, and it can even slice the cheese if you are not concerned about the aesthetics of the finished product. It does not reach the bottom of taller dehydrated food bag or a Nalgene bottle but does reach the bottom of our one-liter pot. Use caution when cooking because if you are using the spork to stir the pot and rest it on the side, the spork will be too hot to handle and can burn your fingers.

The Toaks has a great shape for scraping the bottom of the pan after cooking, thereby maximizing your calorie intake, preventing waste, and getting a jump start on the cleaning process. However, it does scratch a nonstick pan during cooking and therefore we recommend using this spork with a stainless steel pan to prevent the chemicals within the nonstick pan from flaking into your meal. Overall, our testers felt comfortable using the spork for cooking and did not suspect the spork would leach any chemicals into the food while exposed to heat.

Cleaning

We approached our cleaning metric by noting how easily the spork is to wash after a meal, and listed which tools were needed to get the job done. We also decided to put it through the dishwasher to see if the spork would become damaged in the heat as some may be taking the spork to the office instead of the backcountry. Finally, we taste-tested the spork before and after the meal to note whether or not the spork contained any residual oils or flavors from the previous meal.

The smooth bowl of this spork made for easier cleaning by mouth as there is virtually no texture for food to adhere to. However, the handle design does feature two holes, likely aimed to decrease the overall weight as well as to allow the spork to be attached to something else, which can increase the chances for food to become stuck within the holes and against the matte finish. Our testers found that a little hot water and a handkerchief were the only tools required to clean the spork, after cleaning the spork by mouth (of course). The spork does not hold onto any flavors or oils it comes into contact with and just in case you want to throw it in the dishwasher, we tested that as well and found that the heat did not deform the spork.

Value

This is one of the least expensive titanium models that we tested but still more expensive than a plastic spork. However, we found that it performed well against the competition, was comfortable to use, and when considered as an ultralight 2-in-1 utensil, it is worth the investment to keep you focused on fueling yourself during your next adventure.

Conclusion

The Toaks Titanium is a great option for the backcountry enthusiast looking to save weight without sacrificing comfort. The smooth bowl and textured handle make this spork stand out amongst the competition.