My family has a lot of left-handed people. I am not one of them, but my wife is and so are two of my four children. We once had a family celebration at a restaurant and out of 12 people, 8 were left-handed! This brings me to the subject of left-handed and right-handed spoons. I like carving wooden spoons. They are so utilitarian. You can be very creative and they make good gifts. Recently I have made several non-symmetric, ergonomic shaped spoons. I used cherry and maple “firewood” branches from my backyard. I have designed one shape for a right-handed person; and the other for a left-handed person. In the photo above, the top spoon is the righty; and the bottom spoon is the lefty. “Not so”, says my wife. She would prefer to use the one I designed for a righty, and she is left-handed. I showed her photos of similarly shaped spoons on the Internet. They are all labeled “left-handed” and they are shaped sort of like my design. To make matters worse, all the other lefties in my family agree with her. I guess it’s not right to label things…or people, for that matter. 
What do you think? Which spoon shape would you prefer using? Perhaps you would rather use a straight, symmetrical, old-fashioned wooden spoon instead of one with a curvy shape.
Its me Dave -
ReplyDeletePerhaps it is not the shape of the spoon head, but in fact the "feel" of the handle at the grip point? maybe curving toward or away is more important than the drip point on the spoon. I also think that perhaps it is the conditioning that this right hand bias world presses on us every moment of our lives. It is worth noting that in the lower picture you are holding the righty spoon in your left hand because your digital camera is right handed (they all are) Think about that and comment....
I think it depends too on what you are planning to use the spoon for - stirring, ladeling, etc...
ReplyDeleteI guess it is really something that also depends on the individual user and what feels comfortable for them. Loved your comment about not labeling things or people...
Either way, both spoons are beautiful!
Since I have had the pleasure of actually seeing them in person - I happen to think the best thing about them though isn't even the way they look or function, but the way they feel...so soft and smooth I almost wouldn't want to actually use them for food, but just have them to touch. Maybe they should be marketed as stress-relievers instead!!
Love, Maria
Bah I say. function before form. Do not keep a spoon because it feels good in the hand, keep a spoon because it is good at being a spoon.
ReplyDelete-Dave
I think "Dave" sounds like someone who could use a little spoon touching therapy... ;)
ReplyDeleteMaria (his loving sister)
I admit that while I am sure I touch a sponn at least 5 times a week, there are certain "preferred" spoons in the jug by the stove top. We are all guilty of it. I am just man enough to admit it. Those "other" spoons must have been designed by a sppoon therapist or something because theya re very undesirable as spoons...
ReplyDelete-Dave (brother of the spoon therapy nut)
Good for you brother! Being "man enough" to admit it is a great first step. I think there's hope for you yet...
ReplyDeleteThe Spoon Therapist
These are elegant and lovely!
ReplyDeleteJoyce