How to Use Dining Forks & Knives

Although it might be fun to eat like a pirate, stabbing your food on the end of a knife all willy-nilly, this sort of dining habit would be frowned upon by most society. When alone, most people eat however they choose without much regard to proper eating etiquette, but when in the company of others, manners are usually, at the very least, attempted. Knowing how to properly hold a dining fork and knife is not only polite, but essential to keep the respect of one's adult peers and co-workers.

Things You'll Need

• Knife
• Fork
• Plate
• Hands

Instructions

Using the Fork

1. Pick up the fork in your dominant hand.

2. Place the fork's handle, according to Chef Albrich, "horizontally by balancing...between the first knuckle of the middle finger and the tip of the index finger."

3. Place the thumb on top of the fork's handle and touching the top of the middle knuckle of the index finger.

Using the Knife and Fork Together

1. Pick up the knife in the dominant hand, switching the fork to your other hand.

2. Turn the fork "backward" so that the back of the fork is facing away from you, and with the prongs of the fork sticking into what is going to be cut. This is done in order to hold the food to the plate so it won't slip or fly from the plate.

3. Hold the knife, according to Chef Albrich, "with the tip of the index finger gently pressing out over the top of the blade to guide as you cut."

4. Cut, by moving back and forth in a saw-like motion, the food with the knife, while holding it in place with pressure from the hand and fingers against the fork.

When Dining Is Complete

1. Place the fork and knife on the plate horizontally as near the center of the plate as possible so the utensils won't slide off and onto the floor.

2. Don't ever put used utensils on the table as this is considered impolite.

3. Don't place used utensils in a bowl or cup. Always lay them flat on the dinner plate.

Tips & Warnings

• Your napkin should be folded and placed beside the plate when you are finished dining.

• Placing the knife with the blade facing toward the plate's center protects from injuries if the knife were to slide off and meet with a hand.

References

• Chef Albrich - Proper use of Eating Utensils
• Table Manners and Eating Utensils