Stick a fork in it - modern designs for an ancient eating utensil

I came across these two shortlisted entries from the 2009 Beyond Siver International Competition sponsored by designboom and 'MACEF international home show'.

name of design : forknelt
design by : paolo emilio bellisario + andrea cingoli + francesca fontana + cristian cellini from italy

What I love about this fork is its functionality. Have you ever hesitated to set your fork down on a table for fear of getting food on the linens or germs on your fork? This ingenious design solves that problem. The dip in the handle serves as both a fulcrum point for a resting fork as well as a grip when it is placed on the side of a dish or plate. Made from salvaged silver scraps, it is also eco-friendly.

name of design : natural
design by : clara del portillo + alejandro selma from spain

I love the combination of metal and wood in this design. It has a clean and sophisticated aesthetic that is both modern and timeless.