Forks aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when we think of everyday items that can be re-purposed into useful tools or accessories. Let’s take a look at a few examples of how forks, along with a little bit of ingenuity, can help to make life a little bit easier on the survival homestead.
Tongs
You can improvise a decent pair of cooking tongs with two forks and a rubber band, and they produce a surprisingly-strong grip. All you need to do is place the heads of two forks back to back and tightly-wrap a rubber band around their center. This will cause the handles to spring outward, and gripping and squeezing them with your hand can provide you with just enough force to grab, flip and serve foods with ease.
Candle Holder
Take three forks and bend each of their necks outward at a 45 degree angle. Place the forks against each other before securing the necks with a tightly-wrapped rubber band or string. Fan the legs out on a hard surface while holding one of the heads with your fingers. Insert a candle, fan the legs once again, let go of the fork, and the three heads should grip the candle and hold it in place.
Fork Hangar and Hook
Bend the stem of a fork back 180 degrees, at a point near the middle, with a pair of pliers. Next, take the pliers and bend the tines of the fork forward. All you need to do is attach the hook that is formed by the tines to a rod and use the handle as the hangar. You can adjust the bend to fit a variety rods that are around ¾ inch in diameter or less, and it can support a surprising amount of weight.
You can also use a fork to create a hook that can be screwed into a piece of wood. All you need to do is poke a hole in the center of the head of the fork, just below the tines, before bending the tines down. Next, bend the stem forward and up until it produces a nice curve. Screw the fork into the wood, repeat as necessary, and you will end up with a rack that can be used for hanging anything from jackets to keys.
Slicing Foods
If you’re looking for a fast and easy way to cut foods into even slices, try using two forks. Stick them next to each other in the item that you want to cut, but make sure that the tines on the ends overlap. All you need to do is cut down through the spaces and you’ll end up with a handful of even slices in seconds.
Razor Handle
If you ever need to improvise a handle for a single or double-blade disposable razor, consider using a plastic fork. All you need to do is stick the tines through the back of the razor before pushing the tips so they protrude through the front. Gently bend the head forward to break off the tips, and the fork should lock in place.
