Zelco Mangia 3 Piece Set

I had the original Zelco Mangia from years ago, and while the new one is a touch lighter in weight (thinner gauge metal), there is no difference in quality or construction. In fact, I prefer the lighter weight for traveling :) It feels less industrial and a little more sophisticated and modern.

I have used this picnicing, traveling, at work and have a few in my car for impromptu picnics. There is always a set in my travel bag.

The only issue I have with the new Mangia is that the inside edge of the hollow knife handle is sometimes sharp and unfinished. Be careful!

What it is and how it's put together:

If you haven't already, click on the detailed product photo above:

* The knife blade is just under 3", actual serrated cutting area is just under 2.5". The 1/2" remaining is the end that is next to the handle and is flat and blunt to prevent accidentally cutting yourself while opening and closing the utensil.

* The handle is a hollow square tube with the knife welded solidly inside at an angle. This divides the square tube into 2 equally sized triangles.

* The fork and the spoon are wrought from a solid sheet of stainless. The handles are bent inwards and form a shallow "V"

* The V-shaped handles of the fork and spoon slide into each of the triangles formed by the welded knife.

* The knife is only welded halfway inside the handle. The bottom half contains one large pinch-spring that holds the spoon and fork in place when inserted.

* Because 1 large spring holds both the fork and the spoon in place, the first utensil out and the last utensil in are the hardest and this most likely when accidents happen.

How to safely remove and insert the fork and spoon from the knife:

Removing:

1) Spoon side facing you.

2) Hold the Mangia in your hand thumbs on the spoon, where the bowl becomes the spoon-handle. Push your thumbs firmly and gently forward (making sure your right thumb is on the spoon and away from the serrated edge of the knife) until the tip of the spoon slides over the tip of the knife.

3) Continue sliding or flip the Mangia over (fork side up) and grasp the widest part of the spoon and pull it out and away (in the direction AWAY from the serrated edge of the knife).

4) Flip Mangia over again (fork side down), and repeat step 3) with the fork. Again, out and AWAY from the serrated edge.

Putting the Mangia back together:

1) Holding fork at widest point by the tines, insert into knife handle.

2) Push all the way down until the end of the fork touches the spring at the bottom.

3) Insert the handle of the spoon.

4) Using a firm surface like a table or countertop, push the spoon into the Mangia as far as it will go.

5) Hold the spoon at the widest part and gently and firmly push it in the rest of the way into the Mangia so that it touches the spring at the bottom.

How to get the cover on:

* The blunt end of the blade sticks out beyond the handle by a bit. This has to fit inside the cover.

* Make sure the fork and the spoon are fully inserted and touch the bottom end of the spring in the knife handle.

* The Mangia fits together the way it first came in the box: Serrated edge facing left, fork above and spoon below.

Additional notes:

* The hollow tube the knife has for a handle is actually much more comfortable than it looks. It adds weight and balance.

* The Mangia is heavier and sturdier than many cheap utensils out there. These are not flimsy utensils and are not easily bent.

* The serrated edge is very sharp and strong.

* The brushed finish on the inside lower 1" of the fork and spoon will get marked by the spring mechanism over time.

* Do not leave the knife soaking in the sink. The spring might rust because it is made of a different quality metal.

* The Mangia comes packed in a box that can be easily wrapped for gift giving. (See added photo)

I like these and bought four total different colored caps. Some seem to be from a different production design because the caps secure themselves differently. I love usig these for packed lunches as they stay together and travel well. Woudl be five stars except that sometimes certain spoons or forks can get stuck in the knife part, I think this is from different production runs or something Most of the time they all fit together well and come apart easily to use. But when they stick you have to use force the spoon and fork help sheild you form the knife edge, but if you grab the spoon and fork with your thumb right behond the spoons bowl and have to yank them apart it can slip and cut you, like it did to me. Maybe I should have just gotten all with the same color cap cover so they would all be consistant

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I only bought this set in order to have covered silverware to keep in my desk at work. The case does not stay closed or fit properly. Even when I remove the silverware entirely, I cannot get it to close, let alone stay closed.

Other than that, the silverware itself is sturdy and fits together well. If you do not need a case to cover the part that goes in your mouth, I would recommend this set. If you plan on traveling with it or keeping in a drawer and want the case for sanity reasons, don't bother.

Read Best Reviews of Zelco Mangia 3 Piece Set Here

When both Form and Function come together like this, the result is magic. You could set a table with these, they're so clever. Or you could take them on safari. The design is both elegant and practical. You'll be happy you own one even if you seldom use it. As travel flatware goes, it's a brilliant work of art.

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We took Mangia tool sets to China, where knives and forks are not always available. The knife, fork and spoon pack neatly into the plastic cover, and a set is not too heavy to carry around. The cover could be a tad larger it is a snug fit, and the cover on one of our sets cracked when snapped shut when the implements were not quite nested together perfectly. The cover was handy following a meal, when the cover could be snapped over the implements and the food residue was prevented from making a mess inside a pocket or purse.