As a kid, I learned an amazing trick from a waiter that I have carried with me for many years. I have performed this trick at bars, restaurants, meetings, conferences, and get-togethers and it always generates a smile, a few bewildered looks and a whole lot of fun. So, after many years of table-side lessons, I thought I would share with the world the one and only bar/restaurant trick I know. I call it the Fork Trick, or #ForkTrick for all you hash-taggers out there.
First, let’s watch the video to see how it’s done and then I’ll walk you through a step-by-step tutorial.
Pretty cool, huh? Let’s break it down step-by-step…
1. Assemble your supplies
You need to construct a stable base to hold the toothpick. I find a wine bottle with a cork does the trick but I have also used salt and pepper shakers. You can use anything that will securely hold a toothpick straight in the air. Be sure to grab lots of extra toothpicks; sometimes they break and you may need to start over.
2. Position your wine bottle
Place your wine bottle base somewhere it will not wobble or shake.
3. Stick the toothpick in the cork
4. Make sure the toothpick is stable and secure
5. Grab your forks
Most forks should work, though I have seen very heavy forks break thin toothpicks.
6. Tightly interlock the fork tines
7. Stick the toothpick into the first tine slot
This is the first difficult part and sometimes it takes some work to position it just right. The toothpick should be angled up so that it is pointing up if the forks were lying flat on the table.
8. Adjust the toothpick to get the balance right
You may have to slide the toothpick back and forth to find the center of gravity. Try to position the center of gravity at the tip of the toothpick.
9. Test the balance on your finger
If it can balance on your finger, it can balance on the head of a toothpick. You can now see that the center of gravity is the point where the toothpick meets my finger tip.
10. Align the tips of the two toothpicks
This is the trickiest part of the build. I find it’s easiest to hold the base toothpick with one hand and use my finger to align the tips of the toothpick. When you feel it start to stabilize, gently let go. It may take a few tries to get it right. Do not be scared of a few crashes. Keep at it until the toothpicks are balancing on their own.
11. Gently let go
12. Boom! There it is: #ForkTrick achieved
There are a lot of variations you can do with the #ForkTrick. Here are a few variations of the #ForkTrick caught in the wild.
Use a Salt Shaker as a Base
Use a Water Glass as a Base
Construct a Cork/Toothpick Base
Double-Sided #ForkTrick
The Tri-Fecta: The Three-Way #ForkTrick
Go ahead and give it a try! I am sure it will bring a smile to your face and will amaze your friends. Be sure to share your #ForkTrick photos on Twitter!
