Aero Ti: Chopsticks with a Modern Twist

Chopsticks may have been invented some 3,000 years ago, but that doesn’t mean they have to look old or ordinary.

John Lioe of Eighty Eight Industry combined his industrial design skills and childhood love of aircraft design to give a new look and feel to the ancient Chinese cooking and eating utensils.

Although chopsticks are used in many countries and come in a variety of designs, most of them are of a rather similar rounded or flat shape and made of wood/bamboo, plastic or stainless steel. Aero Ti chopsticks put a modern twist on these common designs, beginning with their composition. Made from unalloyed T2 titanium, these chopsticks are light-weight, strong and easy to clean. Even though titanium is a metal, it actually doesn’t conduct heat very well, making it an excellent choice for utensils.

The cross section of each stick fits naturally (Credit: Eighty Eight Industry)

The triangular cross section of the Aero Ti is modeled after the opening that naturally exists when bringing your thumb, index and middle fingers together to hold a pen or chopstick. Thus, John’s design is intended to make the Aero Ti extremely comfortable.

The aviation-inspired design looks ready for takeoff (Credit: Eighty Eight Industry)

The overall taper of each stick and the sleek design of the chopstick bridge were inspired by the aerodynamics of fighter jets and other high-speed aircraft such as the SR-71 Blackbird. Although chopsticks are traditionally placed on a chopstick rest with the tip on the rest and the grip end on the table, the way John floats his Aero Ti strongly reinforces the aviation look and feel.

Aero Ti Type 1 (right) and Type 2 (left) variations (Credit: Eighty Eight Industry)

The Aero Ti comes in two variations: Type 1 in a solid brushed-metal or Type 2 with a structural cutout design. Eight Eight Industry is bringing them to market as a Kickstarter project that is open until October 5, 2013. The project has already exceeded its funding goal, so if you’re up for some aesthetically-cool and functional utensils, get onboard soon.