A Set of Cutlery is an unintended Puzzle

In the army, going for a picnic, or exploring the wilderness, it is good to have a nice compact set of cutlery. This knife, spoon, and fork is a good example.

Made by John Watts of Sheffield, England. The firm was founded in 1765 but this set was probably made in the late 19th Century.

 

The Puzzle was not intended but, if you are not familiar with the mechanism, mealtimes will be very baffling because the knife, fork and spoon are fixed together.

With the implements either open or closed, they still cannot be separated.
   

There is a way to release them.

In case you find a set in a flea-market, we won't spoil your fun by telling you how.