Abstract: A handheld apparatus such as a spoon, fork or knife that is easy to hold and is less likely to be dropped by a small, weak or handicapped hand is enabled by various embodiments. Some embodiments of the apparatus include: a utensil element having a distal end and a handle end; a handle element having a distal end and a utensil end, the utensil end connected to the handle end of the utensil element; and a guard element encasing the handle element.