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.

I had several many years ago and was told they were fruit knives. I believe I saw one in a knife catalog recently and it was labeled fruit knife.

I just goggled folding fruit knife and it showed this type of knife as fruit and vegetables knife.

I have heard them called Melon or fruit knives.

The purpose is what you use them for potatoes.

That reminds me I need to get some potatoes for the winter!

My produce manager used to have one of them and swore by it. For my hands they were awkward and way too long.

He ended up dropping it down the opening of the operating platter style garbage disposal when he was trimming and it was destroyed. God did he whine, cry, piss and moan-----

They were always called fruit Knives where we picked up produce.