Consider a coal scoop/shovel (linked). Now imagine one about the size of a dinner fork or spoon. Include it with the other utensils, just for those who want to use it during the meal.
-- Vernon, Sep 15 2013

The full-sized version https://www.scenery...ocomotive-scoop.jpg
As mentioned in the main text. [Vernon, Sep 15 2013, last modified Dec 28 2017]

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/miniature-shovel [pocmloc, Sep 15 2013]

Kniffe_20Forg_20and_20Spon smaller portions must be consumed! [xenzag, Sep 16 2013]

Only tangentially related Silverwear
[normzone, Sep 30 2013]

[+] Yes, oui, certain, jawohl, da, ja ...
-- FlyingToaster, Sep 15 2013


Great tool for those runt siblings to get the start they deserve.
-- wjt, Sep 15 2013


Perfect for not only shovelling one's way through the meal, but for getting those last few pesky peas without resorting to awkwardly using the dinner knife as a backstop for a round spoon, or being reduced to spearing them one at a time with a fork or Bowie knife.
-- FlyingToaster, Sep 15 2013


There is also the option of using a knife and fork simultaneously, although apparently

"fork permanently in the left hand, knife in the right, [is] a technique that requires tremendous dexterity (unless you're a leftie, obviously)."
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Sep 15 2013


[+]
-- 8th of 7, Sep 15 2013


More of a type III snow shovel than a coal scoop.
-- FlyingToaster, Sep 16 2013


I might mention that while the linked image shows a special shovel handgrip, it would not be necessary for that to be part of the shrunk version (dinner utensil). An ordinary fork-handle or spoon-handle should be fine; the key thing is the shovel/scoop design, the "business end" of the utensil, different from either a fork or a spoon.
-- Vernon, Sep 17 2013


Folks, the first link to an image became a bad link, so I replaced it. It is specifically a type of coal scoop that was used on coal-fired locomotives.
-- Vernon, Dec 28 2017


You slackers have never shoveled coal in your lives, and if you had horses you'd recognize that first link as a manure shovel - no shit.
-- normzone, Dec 29 2017


Not a skeuomorphic coal shovel, then, harking back to a previous technological stage? I mean, you can imagine an early adopter of steam thinking "We'll need something to shovel with ... wait a minute; I was going to throw that thing out now that Dobbin has been redeployed as glue and dog food, but it might be just what we need!"
-- pertinax, Dec 29 2017



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