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Found this knife in my Grandmother's collection. None of us can figure out what the semi-circle shape and slots are for (see attached picture). Anyone have any ideas?

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D. Woods
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    How sharply cut are the slots? I have seen multi-purpose tools with slots like that to be used as peelers/graters. The bottle opener at the hilt would also suggest a strange multi-tool. – Sobachatina Jul 18 '17 at 21:45
  • @sobachatina, the slits aren't sharp at all, they're quite smooth. I guess multi tool makes sense, but I have no idea what the rest could be used for. – D. Woods Jul 19 '17 at 02:18
  • Is the spine sharp, making it usable as a mezzaluna? – rackandboneman Jul 19 '17 at 08:26
  • @rackandboneman No, the spine isn't sharp. Good question though. – D. Woods Jul 19 '17 at 14:16
  • If the metal is tempered right to support a serrated edge well, it will probably support sharpening the spine ;) – rackandboneman Jul 19 '17 at 14:28

1 Answers1

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It is a multi-tool, which appear to have been given out as novelties. The bottle opener and serrated knife are obvious, the slits are there to act as a pot strainer, the semi-circle shape and flat surface allows you to hold it against the edge of a pot and pour out the liquid while keeping solid bits in. I found a few of them on Ebay, the good links (as of this answer) are:

Vintage Farmers Co-op Creamery 1967 Bread Knife

Vintage Multi-Purpose Knife Bottle Opener Strainer Stainless Wood Handle Japan - Given the nature of Ebay I can't guarantee these links will be good for long

According to the inscriptions on some they were given out by a couple of different Farmer's Co-ops and a Drilling company...does yours have any writing on it?

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...and here is a picture of a pot drainer (single purpose) as it would be used.

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Cos Callis
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  • Ahhh, a pot strainer. That makes sense. We tried a Google image search, but that failed. Guess our Google-fu wasn't as strong as yours! It does have writing on the side, it says "Keller Grain and Feed." – D. Woods Jul 19 '17 at 14:21
  • As a 'novelty' item, I would not expect it to work particularly well. On the other hand it looks like you could get $14.95 off of Ebay for it if you want. – Cos Callis Jul 19 '17 at 14:28
  • Looks handy for camping though. – Chris H Jul 20 '17 at 16:02