If you’ve ever gone treasure hunting in your grandparents’ home, you’ve likely come across some unusual objects that leave you scratching your head. Recently, an online user shared a photo of some metal instruments that had the internet buzzing with curiosity.

Netizens quickly jumped in to share their thoughts, offering various theories on the purpose of these odd objects. One suggestion even humorously posited that they could be used to “locate cavities.”

Keep reading to learn more about this peculiar tool!

The Nutcracker

We’ve all heard of a nutcracker—not the ballet with the dancing Sugar Plum Fairy, but the metal tool designed to crack the shells of nuts. This tool, which resembles pliers, typically consists of two hinged metal levers or arms, usually serrated, connected at the top.

The nut is placed in the jaws of the nutcracker, and pressure is applied by squeezing the levers together, which then cracks the shell, allowing access to the edible part inside. Nutcrackers come in various designs and sizes, ranging from simple handheld models to more elaborate decorative pieces.

Some nutcrackers are specialized for specific types of nuts, while others are versatile enough to handle a variety of nut sizes and even crustaceans like lobster or crab.

The Nut Pick

Once you’ve cracked the shell, you’re often left with the nut meat clinging to the tough walls that once housed it. That’s when you use a nut pick, the instrument that has puzzled many online users.

A nut pick, often used after the nutcracker, is a small, pointed tool used to extract the edible portion of a nut from its shell after it has been cracked. The pick typically has a pointed end that can be inserted into the crevices or openings in the cracked nutshell to extract the nut meat without damaging it.

Nut picks come in various designs and materials, including metal, wood, or plastic. Some may have decorative handles or ergonomic features for ease of use. They are handy for enjoying a variety of nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, and others, where the edible part needs to be separated from the shell.

Online Theories

Online users were quick to comment on the many uses of these versatile picks. One user, recalling the laborious task of cracking nuts in the past, wrote: “We used them for walnuts. Back then, you didn’t get cracked walnuts in a bag. When you wanted to bake with nuts, you bought a bag of walnuts and cracked them open yourself.”

Another shared: “For nuts like walnuts and pecans… they came with the nutcracker. They also worked to get the lobster meat out of those tiny legs.”

“They are crab and lobster meat picks. I’m lucky to still have my family’s set. Grew up near Maine, so there were lots of occasions to use them!” wrote a third user.

Another creative user shared that she has found multiple uses for the pick: “I have used them for what they are intended for, but when you’re an artist, you can find other ways to use them as well.”

Other users offered their thoughts: “They are called olive picks, but can be used for other things so your hands don’t touch the food,” wrote one. Another joked, “Used mostly to pick your teeth after a big dinner…also helpful in locating cavities for you.”

What are your thoughts on this mysterious tool? Share your theories with us, and don’t forget to share this story so we can hear from others!