As people we all use utensils too cook and eat with. Many of these could made of stainless steel, wood, or plastic. Stainless steel tends to have nice polish on it and as the name states doesn't stain that much so a spoon made of that will look brand new in 10 years time. Plastic reacts the same but over time may just lose its shine a little.
Wood on the other hand I find tends to tell a story of its life. When I was cleaning a cooking and eating spoon today they looked very different since they were made. The eater is made out of maple 2 years ago and has since them dulled to a nice brown, also has been chipped on the handle. The cooking spoons bowl has turned yellow after making some carrot coriander soup and the back of the handle has some small burns from being left on the edge of the pan. They both tell a story of being used and age nicely giving both a distinct character (one that can't be reproduced). And they will continue to gain character for the rest of their working lives.
Also last week I sent a spoon to a friend in Colombia for her birthday. I wonder what that spoon will look like after a few years of use over there. One thing is true, that it will be a well travelled spoon.
