Why don’t home cooks use wooden scrapers for cooking more than wooden spoons? A scraper has a wide flat edge that is perfect for, that’s right, scraping the bottom of a pot or skillet. The problem with most scrapers is the wood deteriorates over time, damaged by repeated washings and use. That’s why we love this set. The long flat-edge scraper is made from Brazilian cherry, which is so strong and durable that it’s often used for tool handles and even railroad ties. The smaller scraper is fashioned from Mexican ebony, one of the hardest woods in the world that is, for all intents and purposes, waterproof. Finally, the spreader is made from hard maple (hard enough to be used for bowling alleys) and big enough for a big schmear of cream cheese or softened butter.

Working with Montana-based Earlywood, we designed our perfect rolling pin. The gentle, graduated taper starts off at 1 3/8 inches thick, slimming down to roughly 3/4 of an inch at the ends—perfect for rolling out the flattest, most even crusts. We prefer this French style to American-style ball-bearing pins because the lighter weight provides better control; tapered pins are also ideal for rolling out circles of dough. (Rotate the pin in an arc with the right hand while keeping the left side of the pin stationary.) In addition, we prefer longer pins that can handle a full pie crust, so we designed this model to be 20 inches long. Finally, a rolling pin has to be just the right weight: heavy enough to do the work for you but not so heavy that you lose touch with the dough underneath. This pin is a perfect one pound. Earlywood’s dark, dense hardwoods feel good in the hand and won’t dent if used to crush ice or flatten cutlets. For an especially sturdy rolling pin that is destined to become a family heirloom, we recommend the Mexican ebony. Not only does it have a gorgeous dark luster that will add interest to your kitchenware collection, the wood is also nearly indestructible.

Earlywood's handcrafted wooden tongs are as durable as metal versions but more gentle, making them perfect for nonstick cookware and other surfaces that are easily scratched. Mexican ebony is an exceptionally dense hardwood that's unlikely to dent or break, and Earlywood's product is expertly finished so the tongs feel smooth and comfortable in the hand. With a gorgeous luster, these wooden tongs are also able to transition from cooking to serving, looking right at home on an elegant dinner table with salad, bread baskets or any family-style platter.

• Dimensions: Length: 13 inches, Width: 3 inches
• Materials: Jatoba
• Use: Safe on all cookware, including nonstick.
• Care: Hand-wash only

There is no better investment than the Newlywood set for those who want an instant, all-around upgrade to their kitchen tools. With its minimalist concrete holder and attractive array of wood colors, it is truly a stove-side work of art and all you need to prepare and serve multi-course meals. The Newlywood includes the flat-saute spatula, medium scraper and small spreader of the Trifecta set plus an extra flat-saute (use as a pair in place of salad tongs); a medium classic ladle for your soups and stews; an all-purpose, sleekly designed serving spoon that is especially comfortable to handle; and four elegant long-handled tasting spoons. Earlywood Designs combines engineering and design principles to make simple, beautiful and utilitarian products from some of the most durable hardwoods in the world, such as Mexican ebony, Brazilian cherry, and hard maple. All products are resistant to damage; hand wash and dry well to ensure long-term durability.