Thread: Mystery Solved!

I started a new job in the potato industry a few months ago and have learned a lot of interesting things. Little did I know that I would find an answer to the function of a type of knife I would see in antique stores. At quick glance when folded these knives look a little like a straight razor to me. I always kind of wondered what they were for, since the design was different than your typical pocket knife. We call them potato knives, and use them when taking samples to check for hollow heart primarily. They are also called produce knives as well.

I immediately decided I needed one and on the weekend got lucky and found one at an antique store. There's some damage to the blade but it works fine for what I need but for $5.00 I can't complain. French ivory scales, the pins are very similar to those on straight razors. I later learned that they still make these.