Identification of this tool?

July 6, 2012 7:09 PM

Can anyone tell me what this is? I've had this for many years but now am clearing out my "collections" so my kids won't have to. Before I send this off I'd like to know what it is, and that would probably help interest someone in having it. Only marking is "Germany".
posted by uncaken to Grab Bag (10 answers total)

Link works for me! It looks like a key.
posted by katypickle at 7:28 PM on July 6, 2012

Worked for me, but no idea what it is. Looks like a tool for gutting something.
posted by jeffamaphone at 7:28 PM on July 6, 2012

Looks like a letter opener to me.
posted by vivzan at 7:28 PM on July 6, 2012

I was going to say, the handle looks just like a letter opener my grandparents had. But the business end looks totally unfamiliar.
posted by MadamM at 7:31 PM on July 6, 2012

Best answer: Looks like an orange peeler. Is the part under the hook-type thing sharp-ish?

If it's not an orange peeler, it certainly seems like a kitchen tool because of the handle design.
posted by pdq at 7:31 PM on July 6, 2012 [2 favorites]

Best answer: pdq has it! That's what it is!

Check google images.
posted by vivzan at 7:34 PM on July 6, 2012 [1 favorite]

pdq is absolutely right. I have a couple of these myself. They're totally useless for peeling oranges, by the way.
posted by Sidhedevil at 7:35 PM on July 6, 2012 [2 favorites]

The strange hook part is for getting peelings for drinks.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 7:35 PM on July 6, 2012 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Modern version, with instructions for use. I have a dollar store knockoff and it works fine for me. The hook is for digging into the rind.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 7:54 PM on July 6, 2012 [1 favorite]

I'm wrong about the hook. It's to allow you to rip the peel, so that you can use the other part to tear pieces of it off. You use that hook thing instead of biting the peel to get started.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 3:54 PM on July 7, 2012