What is this?

Steve · #1 01/08/05, 05:35 PM

We frequently buy stuff at auctions to sell on eBay to supplement our homestead income. We acquired this meat fork recently and have no idea what this little hinged dohickey is on the shaft of the fork. We first thought it might be a stand, but then wondered why be that elaborate on a meat fork. There are no identifiable markings on the fork and we have had no luck researching on the Web.

Anyone have any ideas.

What is this? - Homesteading Questions

comfortablynumb · #2 01/08/05, 06:00 PM

its from another planet dont touch it.

ratherbefishin · #3 01/08/05, 06:15 PM

it's a guard to stop the carving knife from cutting yourself while holding the fork

#4 01/08/05, 07:32 PM

It's for stopping your thumb from slipping down into the gravy while you stab the last pork chop.

foxpawz · #5 01/08/05, 07:53 PM

It's to keep the tines from going any further into the meat. Although I like the last stab at the pork chop.

Mickey · #6 01/08/05, 08:35 PM

It's to hook the fork to the edge of a pan and keep it from falling in.

caballoviejo · #7 01/08/05, 08:42 PM

It's like a thumb.

The pronged end of the dohickey rotates to hold into the big roast you're manuvering. You press it in and release it, as needed, with your own thumb.

(like I know

)

Cyngbaeld · #8 01/08/05, 09:23 PM

It is called a sprung protection spike and it is to keep the knife from sliding up the fork body.

Chas in Me · #9 01/08/05, 09:42 PM

It's a roach clip.

KesWindhunter · #10 01/08/05, 11:38 PM

The fork is only half of a knife/fork carving set. The fork is set up correctly in the center photo. The knife blade would rest flat against the haft of the fork between the tines of the fork and the 'fork' of the stand...they will make an X (hope that makes sense). That way they may be set on the table after the roast is carved and no juices or fats that are on the fork and knife will stain the tablecloth. (Etiquette police says:no flatware is supposed to touch the table after it has been used.)
The meat would be passed around with a serving fork, not the carving fork.

My late husbands great aunt showed me how to use a set, which she gave me and I still use.
Kes

jerneeon · #11 01/09/05, 02:43 AM

Looks like that fork got stabbed by another fork.

petefarms · #12 01/09/05, 06:23 AM

keswindhunter is absoutely correct, have that piece and the matching carving knife that was my grandmothers.

2horses · #13 01/09/05, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chas in Me

It's a roach clip.

LOLOL!!!!!

Thanks for the laugh......

Pam

<--- has never used a roach clip but knows what one is

whiterock · #14 01/09/05, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KesWindhunter

The fork is only half of a knife/fork carving set. The fork is set up correctly in the center photo. The knife blade would rest flat against the haft of the fork between the tines of the fork and the 'fork' of the stand...they will make an X (hope that makes sense). That way they may be set on the table after the roast is carved and no juices or fats that are on the fork and knife will stain the tablecloth. (Etiquette police says:no flatware is supposed to touch the table after it has been used.)
The meat would be passed around with a serving fork, not the carving fork.

My late husbands great aunt showed me how to use a set, which she gave me and I still use.
Kes

Agreed.

LittleBelle · #15 01/09/05, 03:55 PM

It's a piece of Art, a fork stuck in a fork

Shygal · #16 01/09/05, 04:12 PM

Its a meat fork with a dohickey on it.

cowgirlone · #17 01/09/05, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KesWindhunter

The fork is only half of a knife/fork carving set. The fork is set up correctly in the center photo. The knife blade would rest flat against the haft of the fork between the tines of the fork and the 'fork' of the stand...they will make an X (hope that makes sense). That way they may be set on the table after the roast is carved and no juices or fats that are on the fork and knife will stain the tablecloth. (Etiquette police says:no flatware is supposed to touch the table after it has been used.)
The meat would be passed around with a serving fork, not the carving fork.

My late husbands great aunt showed me how to use a set, which she gave me and I still use.
Kes

Agree here too.
I have my grandmothers set. The handles on mine are made from antlers.

Steve · #18 01/10/05, 12:40 AM

Thanks to everyone who replied, including the humor.

KesWindhunter's answer speaks with authority on the subject. So I guess her answer and those others that concurred with her have settled the question.

To cowgirlone, I believe this fork's handle is also made from an antler. When I polished the fork up, I found under all the tarnish that it has a silver end cap and a silver collar. It's a nice piece.

Thanks Again.

comfortablynumb · #19 01/10/05, 01:24 AM

I still say its an alien tool of some kind, maybe some kind of anal probe with a stop lever so they wont lose the probe.
dont touch it....

Quote:

Pam <--- has never used a roach clip but knows what one is

Ive never used a roach clip either. I save the roaches in a mason jar for a rainy day and re roll them en mass.
You type that so innocently I almost believe you. :haha:

2horses · #20 01/10/05, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

I still say its an alien tool of some kind, maybe some kind of anal probe with a stop lever so they wont lose the probe.
dont touch it....

You type that so innocently I almost believe you. :haha:

But it's true! It's true! And you have GOT to stop with the Alien Probe theory.... I can't take it! My coworkers think I'm nuts, howling out loud in my office...

Pam

<---- raising serious concerns about her mental health among her coworkers...