Inherited a box of utensils and this scary-looking clamp was inside. It opens like scissors but has spiked plates on the ends. Looks medical?

Why Does It Look So Intimidating?

Many antique kitchen tools were made of heavy-duty metal and built to last. The spiked, industrial design may look harsh by today’s standards, but it was practical for the time.

Older household tools often resemble medical instruments simply because both were made of sturdy steel with functional, no-frills designs.

Could It Be Something Else?

In rare cases, similar-looking clamps have been used for:

• Nut cracking
• Holding hot jars during canning
• Gripping meat during carving

However, the round, spiked plates strongly suggest ice handling.