A single grey knife in acetal. BPA free. 7.9 x 0.8 x 0.3 in.

A dollar twenty-five. There is no sensible reason to run short of cutlery at this price — buy a dozen and keep spares in every vehicle, pack and box.

Acetal is the right plastic for this job. Hard, slippery and dimensionally stable: it will not stain from tomato sauce, will not hold the smell of last night's curry, and will not go soft and bend the way cheap polypropylene does.

Full-size at nearly eight inches, not a picnic miniature.

The Pioneer stainless version of the same utensil is on this site at $3.95 if you want metal.

Hand wash with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly. Avoid abrasive cleaners.