If you’ve ever explored an older relative’s home, you might have come across some unusual tools that leave you wondering what they’re for. Recently, an online user shared a photo that shows a set of metal tools arranged in a nut-shaped bowl — tools that look like tiny weapons at first glance. This sparked a lively debate on the internet about their purpose, ranging from practical uses to humorous guesses.
Most of us have heard of nutcrackers — the metal devices designed to crack nutshells so you can enjoy the edible part inside. Nutcrackers typically look like pliers with two hinged arms, often serrated to grip hard shells. You place the nut in the jaws, squeeze, and it cracks the shell.
Nutcrackers come in many forms — from simple handheld ones to bigger, decorative pieces. Some models are made for specific nuts while others can crack a variety, and they’re also used for cracking crustacean shells like lobster or crab.
But cracking a nut is only half the job. After breaking the shell, you’re left with the nut meat still trapped in the tough shell’s crevices. That’s where the mysterious nut picks come into play.
A nut pick is a small pointed tool designed to carefully extract the kernel from the cracked shell without damage. These picks vary in design and material, including metal, wood, or plastic, sometimes featuring decorative or ergonomic handles.
They’re especially handy for nuts like walnuts, pecans, and almonds, where separating the meat from the shell can be tricky.
The online community weighed in with many shared memories and uses for these picks. One user recalled cracking walnuts at home before pre-cracked nuts were easily bought. Another noted that picks came with nutcrackers, also being useful for pulling lobster meat from tiny legs.
A person familiar with coastal living mentioned that crab and lobster meat picks were part of family kitchen tools, vital for enjoying seafood.
Some people highlighted creative extra uses, and one joked that such picks could even double as toothpicks or help “locate cavities.”
Others theorized these tools are “olive picks,” used to grab olives or other foods without using fingers.
This simple, specialized tool hasn’t changed much over time, but its purpose continues to intrigue and prompt imaginative ideas online.
What do you remember about using nutcrackers and picks? Share your memories and thoughts, and pass along this story to keep the conversation going!
