Anti-terror cutlery brings back civilised on-board eating

A UK cutlery manufacturer is doing its bit for aviation security with a new range of knives and forks that are too short to be used as weapons, but long enough to usefully eat with.

The "anti-terror cutlery" is a world-first says Arthur Price, a century old cutlery making firm, and follows guideline on in-flight utensils from the UK's Department of Transport (DOT). Air-India and Jet Airways have signed up to use the new stainless steel cutlery, while Emirates is also taking a close look.

The "Dinky Dinner" service has knife blades no longer than 6cm with a round rather than pointed end. The forks have prongs no longer than 3cm.

Simon Price, whose family has run Arthur Price for four generations, was not surprised at the interest in the cutlery from airlines: "Since the new guidelines from the DOT have come in, all airlines have been forced to use plastic cutlery, which doesn't fit very well with a premium offering such as first or business class. If you've paid that much for a flight, you don't expect to be eating with plastic knives and forks."

Now we have a picture of this wonderful invention. And as we said before we had the picture: "Imagine children's cutlery."