At first glance, it looks intimidating. The metal shape, the sharp edge, the almost surgical design — many people assume it’s some kind of antique torture device or an old medical instrument from a dusty 19th-century cabinet.
But the truth is far less dramatic.
The object is actually an egg topper — a specialized tool designed to neatly open soft-boiled eggs without crushing the delicate white or disturbing the runny yolk. Surprisingly, versions of this gadget date back to the 19th century, when table etiquette and presentation were taken very seriously.
Its purpose? Precision.
Instead of cracking the shell with a spoon and creating a mess, this device cleanly slices off the top of the egg in one smooth motion.
How It Works
The process is simple:
Prepare your egg
Boil it until the white is firm but the yolk remains soft and creamy.
Place the egg upright
Set it in an egg cup to keep it stable.
Position the cutter
Hold the tool by its handle and place the cutting ring over the narrower top of the egg.
Press down gently
Apply light pressure to slice through the shell.
Lift away the top
Remove the tool and gently take off the cut shell cap.
That’s it.
No shattered shell fragments. No broken yolk. Just a perfectly opened soft-boiled egg ready for breakfast.
What looks like a relic from a mysterious past turns out to be a clever example of old-school kitchen innovation — proof that even centuries ago, people were serious about their morning eggs.
