If you’ve ever gone digging through your grandparents’ house, chances are you’ve stumbled upon a strange tool or two that leaves you scratching your head.
Recently, an online user shared a photo of some metal instruments that, if not for the nut-shaped bowl they sit next to, could almost be mistaken for miniature weapons.
Netizens quickly weighed in, offering guesses for their use—one even suggested they might be “for locating cavities.” But the mystery has a much simpler explanation.
Most of us are familiar with a nutcracker—not the ballet featuring the Sugar Plum Fairy, but the metal tool designed to crack open the shells of nuts. This tool, which resembles a pair of pliers, usually consists of two hinged metal levers, often serrated, connected at the top. You place a nut in the jaws, squeeze the levers, and the shell cracks, giving access to the edible inside.
Nutcrackers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from simple handheld versions to elaborate decorative designs. Some are specialized for certain nuts, while others are versatile enough to handle everything from walnuts to crustaceans like lobster or crab.
The Finishing Touch: Nut Picks
Cracking a shell is just the first step. Once the nut is opened, the meat often clings stubbornly to the tough walls. That’s where the mysterious metal tools come in—they are nut picks.
A nut pick is a small, pointed instrument used to extract the edible part of a nut from its shell. The pointed end slips into the crevices, lifting the nut meat without breaking it.
Nut picks can be made from metal, wood, or plastic, and some even feature decorative or ergonomic handles to make the task easier. Simple yet ingenious, these little tools solve the final step of enjoying a freshly cracked nut—one that often confounds modern treasure hunters when they first see it.