GSI Outdoors Pivot Spatula

Opting to use pivoting hinges instead of a retractable design, GSI Outdoors succeeds in creating a packable spatula that feels neither too weak nor small for the job. The addition of a drainage slot and a serrated, toothed side add extra versatility to an otherwise purely utilitarian piece of cookware. The high-temp, nylon 66 this is made from is able to withstand coming in contact with hot pots and pans, although it cannot sit (even for the smallest amount of time) in them.

These tongs pack down small, and while not the smallest-packing of the three, still nest nicely with the two other utensils.

My Pivot Spatula came as part of the Crossover Kitchen set, which also included the pivoting spoon and tongs. 

Right now I'm a big fan of the color orange, so — if for no other reason — the color scheme had me from the get-go. The orange handles have a matte finish (for grip), while the grey "business ends" of the utensils are a smooth finish (to discourage food sticking to them). 

The spatula is pretty strong, surprisingly enough.

To open the spatula from its closed position, you first have to lift one side above a notch on the backside that locks it into place (the gray, triangle-shaped notch you see on the bottom of the picture above). This goes both ways, both locking the spatula closed and open.

The nylon is rigid enough to maintain stability and support the weight of whatever you're moving or flipping.

This is a smaller-sized spatula, and is best suited for hamburger patties and eggs. If you're trying to flip an entire fish fillet, you may want something more substantial. Again, though, these utensils are designed primarily as companion accessories for their own line of GSI cookware. The size of the utensils is relative to the size of their pots and pans. 

One side has a smooth edge, while the other features a set of teeth in case you need a cutting edge on-the-fly and don't want to use a metal knife that would damage a non-stick piece of cookware.

The drainage hole is a nice touch.

I appreciate this more because it allows the utensils to drain themselves before putting them back into storage. 

These pack in nicely with the Pivot Spoon and Tongs.

The picture below shows all three packed into the Crossover Kitchen Kit. I've never had any trouble fitting them back in. 

All in all, I always take my Pivot Utensils with me on my car camping trips. They make your camp kitchen feel like yours back home, without the punishment of weight or bulk.

A smart design in a small package that's more than worth it.

One small note, however: these are only meant to move food around and be in motion. Setting these down against a pot rim, or letting these sit on a hot pan will cause them to melt. I experienced a small amount of melting with both my tongs and spatula. GSI more than happily replaced my entire set of pivot utensils, and I haven't had a problem at all with the replacement set. Turns out their customer service is even better than their top-of-the-line products.

4.5 stars, only because my first spatula was defective, and although replaced free-of-charge, it leads me to think GSI needed to do a little more product testing, or be a little more careful when it comes to quality control.