My hand carved flatware is ideal for people with metal sensitivities or who just like the idea of eating with natural wooden tableware. I use no finish or sealent on these utensils. Because both of the woods that I use are high in natural oils they are excellent material for eating utensils. Lignum vitae, the wood of life, is native to the East Indies and northwestern South America and has a storied past. This wood is one of the hardest known and contains naturally water resistant oils which made it ideal for use in hatch covers and belaying pins on sailing vessels. Lignum vitae's natural lubricant also led to its use as bearing sleeves for propeller shafts in ships as late as the mid-twentieth century. These same traits make it great for tableware. Sometimes called "greenheart," it is medium brown in color with green streaks that come to predominate as the wood ages. The spoon and fork measure 6 1/4 inches (16 cm) in length, and the knife is 6 7/8 inches (17.5 cm) long. | 
