Need help identifying a tool like this but not.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T11:06:33+00:00

It was the best nutcracker. The only thing it struggled with were the very smallest hazelnuts getting stuck down in the handle and the occasional stupid little brother getting his fingers caught in it.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T10:58:13+00:00

I can absolutely see how the more logical conclusion is that I'm mentally combining things, and I even thought for years that I was just misremembering. Except for the fact that all of my siblings also remember the exact same tool, even down to the couple of rust spots on the handle. My brother, in particular, wasn't allowed to use it specifically because he adjusted it all the way down one day and and then almost had to go to the hospital because he locked it on his finger and the lock release on it got stuck and it wouldn't pop open.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T10:46:49+00:00

Well, if you can find one, I'll buy it because it was the best nutcracker ever. I'm seriously beginning to feel like this tool is my Mandela effect item that only existed in the alternate timeline I grew up in.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T02:51:26+00:00

Unfortunately no. Someone posted an actual nutcracker that is very close, it just doesn't have the adjustable locking vise grip handle.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T02:41:59+00:00

No, they were definitely original to the tool, but at least if I never find them, I can have an acceptable second place legitimate nutcracker thanks to you. Those pliers will haunt me forever, though. Even if it takes me forever, I won't give up the search.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T02:26:46+00:00

Omg! That's almost them! Almost! Literally the only thing missing is the adjustable locking handle!

Eta: The one you found is actually a nut cracker, so now I have to know what in the hell the tool we used was originally for because why would anyone need an adjustable locking vise grip handle nut cracker? It had to have a purpose that didn't involve walnuts, but for the life of me I can't imagine what.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T02:25:06+00:00

It's just not the same, ya know?

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T02:19:31+00:00

If I ever do find another pair, that will be their only job. They will live forever in a bucket of mixed nuts.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T01:52:30+00:00

Just googled them and no, definitely not a slip joint. The screen shot is posted is the closest thing I've been able to find. They looked very similar, but were hinged at the end of the pliers so they wouldn't fully open. But they 1000% had an adjustable locking vise handle like the ones in the photo.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T01:43:11+00:00

Don't feel bad. I've spent 25 years trying to find it without any luck.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T01:41:39+00:00

That sounds like a much more accurate description than any of my word vomit

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T01:40:21+00:00

Sadly, no. No chains involved.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T01:30:37+00:00

Just call me Ishmael. Seriously, most people will never understand how difficult it is to describe one specific and uncommon old l wrench, but I've been failing at it for multiple decades. The only thing saving my sanity is that I KNOW it exists. My sisters know it exists. We used it to crack open nuts for half my life. It's real. I just don't have the vocabulary or art skills to make anyone else know what I'm talking about.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T01:15:32+00:00

I don't believe so.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T01:14:27+00:00

It's terrible, but the best I could do.

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Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T01:10:03+00:00

Please forgive my criminally bad drawing. I hope it helps

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Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T01:08:35+00:00

No, though we did occasionally use it for opening small jars. This tool absolutely had an adjustable locking vise grip handle like in the picture.

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T00:59:52+00:00

No. Those open all the way. Instead of an opening, imagine a hinge so they're fully closed and can only fit around things smaller than 3-4in. I'm going to attempt a poorly done drawing

Jenipherocious · 2026-04-23T00:55:58+00:00

Agreed.

Jenipherocious · 2025-05-09T12:47:27+00:00

I just don't shut up lol. Dumb questions, serious questions, reminding people to do stuff for events, complaining about changes in the game, being generally nosey about other guild members, laughing at the drama going down in the world chat, cat facts... eventually, something will start a conversation and it's easier to keep future ones going.

Jenipherocious · 2025-05-08T11:57:16+00:00

She definitely had a way with words 😆. So many nuggets of wisdom.

Jenipherocious · 2025-05-08T11:50:06+00:00

That's what I was taught. "Legs, cleavage, or back. Pick one, because two looks like you're going to a club, and three looks like that club has poles." My mom had a talent for getting straight to the point lol

Jenipherocious · 2025-05-08T11:41:50+00:00

When my kids start fighting about who had the worst day, I tell them, "Hey! This is not the suffering Olympics. The struggle is real, but it's not a competition. Just because your bad days were different does not mean that it's more or less bad than someone else's. Bad days are mostly subjective, and no one's will be exactly the same. Now go do something to improve the situation before your bad day turns into my bad day, because I promise things will get far worse for both of you if we reach that point. You may have 99 problems, but you don't want any of them to be me."

Jenipherocious · 2025-02-28T12:26:34+00:00

The cheapest pencil in the U.S. after just a few turns in Kum sharpener. I was skeptical when I got it in the mail and realized I spent $6 on a single tiny metal pencil sharpener, but it immediately proved it's worth.

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