Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: skylab on December 02, 2011, 09:15:51 AM

Title: old lettuce knife?
Post by: skylab on December 02, 2011, 09:15:51 AM
another what is
Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: Branson on December 02, 2011, 10:32:59 AM
Shouldn't be for lettuce -- lettuce shouldn't be cut with metal, at least not ferrous metal (does bad things for the taste).  I found an old knife like this years ago, but never found its particular use. 

If I don't tear lettuce for salads, I have a set of plastic knives made for the purpose.
Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: keykeeper on December 02, 2011, 11:17:33 AM
De-capping knife for a beekeeper.
Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: Neals on December 02, 2011, 12:15:21 PM
I think keykeeper has it
Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: 64longstep/Brian on December 02, 2011, 01:21:25 PM
I think that is a good guess....
Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: Stoney on December 02, 2011, 04:20:50 PM
I agree with Keeykeeper.  And I also agree with Branson about always tearing lettuce.
Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: rusty on December 02, 2011, 06:31:45 PM

Ditto, the one sided edge is the clue...
Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: Branson on December 02, 2011, 06:44:19 PM

Ditto, the one sided edge is the clue...

Sharp looking.  I didn't notice that.  Makes it a double edged broad knife, hunh?
Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: scottg on December 02, 2011, 06:45:40 PM
Definitely a honey knife.
 But lookit that handle! Yowsa!!
 
The knife I have, has a plain butt ugly ogre of a handle,  in comparison to that.
 yours Scott
Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: rusty on December 02, 2011, 06:48:46 PM
>Makes it a double edged broad knife

*Never* piss off the beekeeper - P

>But lookit that handle! Yowsa!!

Absolutely, that is a great handle :)
Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: keykeeper on December 02, 2011, 10:23:12 PM
Only reason I knew what it was is I have a request to make one for a friend for his apiary hobby.

I've researched them a little, but the constant is always the blade like that, with the handle slightly offset. I've seen several different handle styles, most always a little fancier than just plain wood.

Some beekeepers actually heat up the blade just a tad, to help it slide right through the wax caps on the comb.

Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: scottg on December 03, 2011, 03:56:37 PM
Aaron
 He wants a custom hand made knife?
If he just wants a knife to use, I would swap or sell mine.
 
 Mine has a "crank neck" meaning the handle is totally relieved from the working angle of the knife. For total hand clearance from the work.
  But like I said, just a plain painted black handle.
 
 If you are making custom, I will take a picture for inspiration, if you like.
    yours Scott
Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: keykeeper on December 03, 2011, 10:51:51 PM
Actually, he's into the whole "buckskinning" thing, so when I say custom, I meant handmade that just works. He like utilitarian pieces, not exactly pretty stuff.

I just have to figure out what piece of old medium carbon steel out of the scrap pile I will use.

I made the same guy a small froe (about 1/3 scale) from an old horseshoeing rasp. He was stoked when I gave it to him!! He wanted it for splinting wood out for basket making, hence the smaller scale.
Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: leg17 on December 04, 2011, 03:59:54 AM

I just have to figure out what piece of old medium carbon steel out of the scrap pile I will use.


Got any lawnmower blades?
Title: Re: old lettuce knife?
Post by: kxxr on December 05, 2011, 02:34:25 PM
Shouldn't be for lettuce -- lettuce shouldn't be cut with metal, at least not ferrous metal (does bad things for the taste).  I found an old knife like this years ago, but never found its particular use. 

If I don't tear lettuce for salads, I have a set of plastic knives made for the purpose.

The other kind of 'lettuce knife', besides one used in the kitchen, is one that is used to harvest the crop. Plomb even made one. It has more of a 'spatula' shape though, for slicing under the head I'd guess.