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Reviews > Cook and Food Storage Gear > Utensils > REI Ti Ware Long-Handle Spoon > Owner Review by Ray Estrella

REI Ti Ware Long-Handle Spoon
by Raymond Estrella
OWNER REVIEW
October 03, 2007

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Raymond Estrella
EMAIL: rayestrella@hotmail.com
AGE: 47
LOCATION: Huntington Beach California USA
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 6' 3" (1.91 m)
WEIGHT: 200 lb (90.70 kg)

I have been backpacking for over 30 years, all over California, and in many of the western states and Minnesota. I hike year-round, and average 500+ miles (800+ km) per year. I have made a move to lightweight gear, and smaller volume packs. I start early and hike hard so as to enjoy the afternoons exploring. I usually take a freestanding tent and enjoy hot meals at night. If not hiking solo I am usually with my brother-in-law Dave or fiancée Jenn.

The Product

Manufacturer: Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI)
Web site: www.rei.com
Product: Ti Ware Long-Handle Spoon
Year manufactured: 2007
MSRP: $ 9.95 (US)
Weight listed: 0.7 oz (19.8 g)
Actual weight: 0.6 oz (17 g)
Length listed: 8.5 in (21.6 cm) Verified accurate
Material: Titanium
Warranty: (from hang tag), "100% satisfaction guaranteed".

spoon

Product Description

The REI Ti Ware long-handle spoon (hereafter called the spoon) is a lightweight titanium spoon with an extra long handle that is positioned to appeal to the ultra-light crowd.

As seen above the titanium is much shinier than other Ti cooking accessories that I own. (See link at end of review.) It looks as though it was made by stamping the spoon out on a die. The edges have been meticulously smoothed off though. I can not find a single rough spot along the edge.

The handle has a raised center giving it added rigidity to compliment the inherent strength of the titanium. It has the REI logo and the Ti Ware logo etched into the handle. An oblong hole has been punched out of the end of the handle. According to REI the added length is to help get to the bottom of a freeze-dried meal bag or Jetboil pot.

The bowl or ladle of the spoon measures 1.5 in wide by 1.75 in wide. (3.8 x 4.5 cm) It is squared off at the ends to facilitate getting into the bottom of bowls and cups. It is also set at an angle to the handle to help get the last vestiges of nutrition out more easily.

Field Conditions

I have used the REI spoon in backpacking camp sites along hundreds of miles (km) of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Santa Rosa Mountains in the south to the Sierra Nevada to the north. It has been used at elevations ranging from 3000' to 12000' (900 - 3660 m) and in temps from freezing to 92 F (33 C).

I used it on a four-day 84 mile (135 km) trip in Kings Canyon National Park. Elevations were from 5100' to 12300' (1550 to 3750 m) and temps from just below freezing to 91 F (33 C).

It saw use for four days on a backpacking trip in Grand Teton National Park. Temperatures ranged from 35 to 82 F (2 to 28 C). Elevations ranged from 6790' to 10675' (2070 to 3250 m).

It was also used for a few trailhead camp sites in the Sierra Nevada and some car camping in Yellowstone National Park.

It has been used in Utah a few times also. This has been a very busy hiking year for me, and the REI spoon has been along for all of it.

Observations

I bought the REI spoon at the beginning of April on a whim while purchasing maps. As seen in my MealGear spork review I have been in search of the perfect eating utensil for a long time. I just do not need the tines of a spork, and when I saw the size, length and weight of this spoon I had to try it. (I got one as an Easter gift for my fiancée too. Aren't I romantic? Must mean I like spooning…)

I liked it right away. The construction is simple and impeccable. There is not a rough spot anywhere along the edges of the spoon. (Either of them.) I am not sure what the hole is for in the handle. Maybe to tie a lanyard to for use on a porta-ledge…

It is very strong. Mine got sat on with no detriment to the spoon. I won't comment on the part that sat on it. I have seen no bending of the spoon so far.

The length is just about perfect. It is great for freezer bag cooking. It fits into freezer-bags and FoodSaver bags well. Some of my bigger freeze-dried meals would benefit from another inch (2.5 cm) in length. If they made one 10 in (25 cm) long I would buy it. The highly polished finish of the spoon makes it easy to lick off the food that clings to it from digging deep into the bags. That keeps it off my hands. Here is a picture of it in use in the Santa Rosa Mountains.

potato salad, yum


The spoon does not transfer heat at all, probably due to its length. When in Grand Teton I made my hiker girl a pasta dish with dried mushrooms that had to be boiled and the pasta itself had to boil. I ended up stirring my biggest Ti pot for about 20 minutes. The spoon did not get hot at all.

The same trip saw me making hot cider at night and coffee for my self and cocoa for Jenn in the mornings. I could lick the spoon right after stirring with no discomfort. (I mean rinse it off, that's the ticket…) I have not used it in "real cold" temperatures yet, so can't really comment on cold transfer.

The angle on the head works better than spoons I have that follow the plane of the handle at getting food from freeze-dried bags and Zip-lock bags. The size is just right for me. A couple of my other spoons were too big at the scoop.

I can't really think of more to say about it. It seems to be a close to perfect as I can find at this time. But who knows, maybe I will find another "perfect" eating utensil. Check this same Bat Channel for updates…

This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.

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