Mono V table fork – Mono Flatware

The Mono flatware of the 21st century.

Mono V is the first completely new flatware concept from the traditional manufactory in over 20 years. In early 2020, we contacted Berlin-based designer Mark Braun with this ambitious project. The idea: a new Mono flatware - resource-saving use of materials, easy to manufacture, highest quality standards, timeless aesthetics, and made in the Mono manufactory in Mettmann Germany. 2.5 years later, Mono V has come to stay.

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Inspired by throwaway

The inspiration for Mono V came from a piece of flatware that couldn‘t be further from Mono: a disposable fork. Disposable flatware tries to create as much function as possible with as little material use and cost as possible. The key is stability and firmness through form. Inspired by this principle, designer Mark Braun developed countless material and shape studies, only to return to a simple bend in the end.

Mono V is not just a name, but a central design and functional element. The V-embossing of the handle gives the flatware the necessary stability, which makes the use of resource-saving material possible: a sheet of stainless steel only 1.5mm thin.

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Pictures by Martina Borsche

Design with a lasting impression

The characteristic V, which gently fades out over the length of the handle, not only contributes to the stability and firmness of the piece of flatware but also achieves the striking aesthetic: a dynamic tension between angular appearance and organic form. The surfaces, angles and gradients create a contrasting interplay of light and shadow. In use, the V impresses with its pleasant feel. The V shape also enables the flatware to be stacked and allows space-saving storage.

Mono V comprises six pieces. The four standard pieces are complemented by a dessert fork and an espresso spoon. Of course, all parts are dishwasher safe and can also be professionally refurbished after extensive use through Mono Service.

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The handle of the Mono V handles is always the same width, which is why all parts can be stacked well. The small espresso spoon with its wide handle (seen here as a 3D print) is thus given a special distinction. Pictures by Fabian Frinzel.

The different phases of prototypes. From paper, through plastic to the final form and materiality.

Applying the design principle of a flatware design to a knife is always a special challenge. In the Mono V knife, the V tapers upward instead of downward. This means that the handle joins the blade seamlessly.

Sometimes fractions of a millimeter can make a surprisingly big difference. It was important to designer Mark Braun that the Mono V spoon was not too round and that the spoon was noticeably distinct from the Mono A top.

Keeping the balance. While nowadays shape and appearance can be visualized very well with 3D printing, for handling and balance the final material stainless steel is needed to get a "good feeling" for a developing piece of flatware.

During the production of the 0-series, designer Mark Braun was on site at the manufactory in Mettmann to work together with the 6th generation Seibel flatware (Matthias and Johannes) on the finishing touches and the last meters to perfection.

Added value through reduction

In the conventional production of high-quality flatware, rolling is a time-consuming process. Depending on the model and the individual piece, the upper part of the flatware is thinned from a material thickness of approx. 2.5 mm to approx. 1.5 mm in up to 20 rolling steps for a stable handle that does not bend and an upper part that is not too top-heavy and lies comfortably in the mouth. In the manufacturing process of Mono V, rolling is completely eliminated because the flatware is already stamped from 1.5mm thin stainless steel. This saves time and resources in production. Subsequently, the still flat piece of flatware is shaped with 120 tons of pressure load.

In the flatware grinding shop, Mono V is given the high-quality hand finish typical of Mono flatware in the finest manual work. The knife, made of hardened blade steel, is given a fine saw grind so that it will still glide through bread and tomato with ease even after years of use.

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For a new flatware part, the flatware blank is laser cut from a stainless steel plate instead of being stamped. This has the advantage that no expensive final stamping tools have to be created yet. In the early phase of a flatware project, the cut may still be adjusted in the micrometer range in order to optimize the production process. Pictures by Fabian Frinzel.

The stamp with information about the designer and material is placed on the underside of the flatware early in the production process. The knife is not stamped but laser engraved as it is made of harder blade steel.

The embossing tool presses the flat flatware part into the three-dimensional shape. With Mono V, this happens with only 80 tons of force, while other flatware is embossed with up to 600 tons. Less force is gentler on the tool and the machine.

Approx. 20 minutes are scheduled for the press setup time. Check the tool, clean it, clamp it, align it, and set the pressure before the first test stamping is carried out. The test part is then matted, as this finish makes it easier to identify possible defects.

The so-called raw material reaches the grinding shop in a visually already quite finished state. Here follows the elaborate finish of all flatware parts, which takes about three times as much time compared to the raw production.

Production Manager Matthias Seibel (part of the 6th generation of the family business) talking to Grinding Shop Manager Manfred, who has been grinding Mono flatware for over 20 years.

Sisal is a pre-polish for refining the surface. This is an important basis for a fine matte finish with the typical Mono satin finish.

The sisal disc, which is created from fibers of agave leaves, serves as a carrier material for the pre-polishing paste. The paste with light grain and greases for cooling leaves dry dark dust.

The entire piece of flatware is pre-polished in three steps: First the edges, then the handle and the outside of the spoon, and finally the inside of the spoon with a smaller brush that fits the shape.

In order to achieve a uniformly beautiful appearance of the cut edges, grinding is also carried out between each fork tine.

In a 5-minute ultrasonic cleaning, the flatware parts are freed from grease and dust.

Each individual piece of flatware is finally cleaned by hand and inspected with a critical eye for the smallest of defects before being packed safely for transport.

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Pictures by bus.group

Links

Care instructions for Mono flatware
Individualize flatware with engravings
Try Mono flatware at home with the flatware tasting

Notes

Please note that improper handling of cutlery can lead to cuts or puncture injuries.

Only use eating and serving cutlery for its intended purpose, such as serving, cutting or picking up food.

For safety reasons, cutlery should always be kept out of the reach of children.

Always hold all items by the handle and avoid reaching into the prongs or blades.

Damaged cutlery (e.g. with bends, cracked blades or sharp edges) should no longer be used. Please contact us or your specialist retailer. We will check your cutlery and refurbish it professionally. Our master sharpeners will also resharpen your knife blades.

To avoid damage, please do not use cutlery for purposes such as piercing, levering or twisting.

The cutlery items are made of stainless steel and special blade steel, which makes them suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher, but they must not be used in microwaves.

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