Orikaso Fold Flat Tablewear: A Product Review
January 4, 2010 by Darren Alff
Orikaso flat fold tablewear is one unique product! Likely a play on the word “origami,” which is the art of folding paper into a variety of decorative forms, Orikaso is a product made of flat colored plastic that can be folded into an entire table set – plate, cup and bowl.
It’s a great idea for people who spend large amounts of time in the outdoors. Bowls and cups, especially, are known to take up large amounts of space inside a loaded backpack or set of panniers, so the ability to have these items fold flat while in transport and then pop out during meal time is certainly appealing.
Unfortunately, as extraordinary as this colorful cook-set might appear, it has a number of flaws that, for me at least, rules it out as any kind of viable tableware.
My biggest complaint about the Orikaso flatware set is that even when folded flat, the set takes up just as much (if not more) space as my normal pot and cup. When pressed flat, the set measures nearly 10.5 inches x 10.5 inches. It’s weight is also nearly equal to that of the pot I use on most of my camping and bicycle touring expeditions. If the set could be folded down to such a size that it fit inside my wallet, then we might have something here. But at the current moment, I see little to no space or weight savings with the Orikaso tablewear set.
Additionally, I find the folding process somewhat difficult. Even after you get used to folding and unfolding the set, the process is somewhat frustrating. The cup, with it’s complex handle, is especially difficult to assemble. After a long day of hiking and/or biking, the last thing I want to do is struggle over the assembly of my plates, cups and bowls. I just want to eat!
Lastly, I have to make note of the fact I’ve never used a separate plate, cup or bowl on any of my outdoor adventures. I usually carry water in a bottle and drink straight out of the bottle… and I cook in a single pot, which I use as my eating bowl, plate, and cup. I understand that not everyone will take this same approach to outdoor eating, but I doubt that few serious outdoorsmen worry about eating off a plate at the end of a long day of exploration.
In summary, I think the Orikaso flatware idea is a good one, but it simply needs to be refined. If the product were lighter and could be folded down to fit inside the palm of my hand, there might really be something here. Otherwise, I see this product as something one buys, uses once, and then never uses again. Either that, or it is the perfect gift for that outdoorsy person in your family who seems to have everything.
My Rating: 3 out of 10
Have you used any of the Orikaso flatware products before? If so, what did you think?
Review Status: I purchased this product for myself. Amazon affiliate links are being used in this article.
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5 Responses to “Orikaso Fold Flat Tablewear: A Product Review”
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Yeah, I looked into these a while back and came to the same conclusion, I also used some crushable silicon bowls, and liked them, but lately, I’ve just accespted that the pot is the part I work around, and I’ve been using a GSI Dualist kit with my wife. We love it.
How refreshing to read a review from a reputable source which tells it as it is, without “gilding the lilly”!
I tried the Orikaso cup, and reached similiar conclusions to this reviewer: awkwardly large when flat, and insufficient weight saving to compensate for the extra fiddling required to put it together.
Clever, in its way, but not there yet.
I first saw it in a web site devoted to lunch accessories for those who pack their lunch. in that context, perhaps it has an audience. Or in the context of a group setting where you don’t want everyone dipping their spoon in the pot. but I can see in the context of one or two backpacking, it wouldn’t really be a help.
thanks for the info.
I don’t know. I don’t do a lot of ultra light backpacking, but camping with Boy Scouts and this is the best cup I’ve ever had. I’m not counting ounces, but the flat shape slides into my pack much easier than any non-folding or telescoping cup. I don’t have the bowl or plate, but I’d get one in an instant if it were still available.
Hello there everyone. Im sure this product is not for everyone but Iv been using all the Orikaso products at work, travel and at uni while living on campus. I have found fawls in all there products but I find the fact I can flatten the items down and stuff them back into the bag they come from so neat and tidy. Iv traveled around to various countrys and I always take a set. Its just so much nicer having a plate when you can have one. When camping I always find cups and bowls to be odd shapped and take up alot of space. This is where the Orikaso comes into play. Only one thing I dont like about them being plastic you cant heat things in them not on a fire or microwave. With the cup you goto watch what angle you hold it so you dont spill the contents on yourself. But how about try a set when going on a picnic! nothing better than the square plates!