mystery gadgets

[Duer 157099]

I picked these two items up at a thrift store, just because I hadn't seen them before and figured that I *must* need them.

But... what are they? I have some ideas, but I'd like confirmation from anyone who knows for sure.

Thanks! Can't wait to use them, soon as I know what I'll be doing with them :)

[Cassandra]

1. They both look like butter curlers but...

the one at the bottom might be for removing corn from the cob.

[Warpy]

2. Top is a butter curler

bottom looks like a cheese slicer for a serve yourself cheese and fruit platter. They don't work well but they look nice on the platter.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. While it looks like that .....

..... if the picture shows them side by side (and it seems to do that) and if the item at the top is a butter curler (I think it is), then the item at the bottom seems too small to be a cheese slicer. That said, it does, indeed, look like a cheese slicer .... so I'm guessing, due to its diminutive size, it is another kind of butter slicer/curler. But honestly, I don't know.

[Warpy]

10. I just had another couple of thoughts

First, the butter curler may be a large one and second, the second gizmo might be for shaving small curls of Parmesean.

The second awful thought I had was how much the second one looks like a bottle opener.

[Duer 157099]

3. I was so wrong

I was *sure* the top one was for seeding cucumbers/squash! At least, that's what I bought it with in mind. I intend to use it for that purpose, since I can't seem to find my grapefruit spoon.

The bottom one, I thought maybe cheese slicer, but now that you mention it, butter curler seems right.

Thanks!!

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

5. I wonder if the bottom one could be to score

cucumbers, etc. & make the pretty little design. Not sure & the pic is a bit fuzzy for these middle aged eyes.

[KyndCulture]

6. Is the bottom one serrated?

It could be a citrus zester.

[Neecy]

7. hmmmm...

The bottom one looks a little like a zester.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

8. I was thinking that too, but my zester has little holes & I

can't see any in this picture.

[eleny]

9. The top one looks like a great back scratcher!

[Duer 157099]

11. After reading the replies here, I searched on ebay

for "butter curler" and both of these came up, plus several other variations.

Also can be used for chocolate, and parmesan, as has been mentioned.

However, I still intend to use the top one for seeding squash and cukes! lol

(I've managed to live my whole life so far without ever, once, having to curl butter. It's a bit ironic that I would pick up not one but two butter curlers at the same time)

[NMDemDist2]

12. now I gotta get one, especially since the butter bell was a total bust

and it took me 18 months to find one at the thrift store too :banghead:

I must be doing it wrong, I always end up with an empty bell and a blob of butter in the water at the bottom :crazy:

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

13. Pack the butter in tight.

I don't have that problem & all I can think that we do is that we really smush the butter in.

:hi:

[NMDemDist2]

14. i DO!!!

i smash and smoosh and pack and push

it still works one out of four times :banghead:

[Duer 157099]

16. I'm glad I read your post; I've been on a butter bell quest too

Am resistant to paying the $10-20 on ebay for one, so have been watching for one to show up at the thrift stores. I find the best gadgets at thrift stores, and it's not only like a treasure hunt, it's like a mystery adventure, trying to figure out what everything is when there are no boxes or instructions. My mind comes up with some very interesting interpretations.

The white-handled item above, I finally got to test it on a butternut squash, and as expected, it worked really well for seeding! The seeds came out in a nicely curled scoop, too.

Tonight when I made a sandwich, I used a cheese slicer (which I had just used to slice cheese with) to slice some cucumber, lengthwise. It was sort of like using the peeler, except thicker slices. :)

[Rhiannon12866]

15. I prefer my butter straight,

rather than curly...:silly:

Seriously, why would you need a butter curler? For decorations? I get the chocolate and cheese, but wondered about the butter...:shrug:

[Duer 157099]

17. Reporting back on how the top item worked as a seeder

it was AWESOME! First I tried it on a butternut squash, totally worked just as I expected.

Then, I was seeding a bunch of Roma tomatos, and used it, and again, it worked really really nicely.

FYI

[Lefty48197]

18. Top one is a fish scaler, bottom one is a bottle opener

Both come in very handy after a day of fishing, while grilling on the dock.