Can you help me figure out what this mystery gadget is?

I am sure it is a knife sharpener

I've had this for probably 20 years and every time I go to throw it out I tell myself it may be useful to someone.

Been sort of doing that for years. I've had people say it was a meat tenderizer, husband persuader, and a concrete breaker.

What happens when you turn that wingnut?

I love that!

I think it's a can opener.

There is no way this could be used for that. I also thought that when I first saw it. There is nothing to sharpen a steel blade. The sections you think would are more like flat headed screwdrivers. The sides (crevices) where you would think to put a knife are dull.

Pretty cool item to look at, So happy we don't use them anymore , You would need a tetanus for sure!

William , how did you know that? Thanks for the link. My Grandmother had one of those roller ones for making swiss steak. You win the prize! :)

Wow Bill. You sure are 100% correct. I joked that it could be one but it seemed like it would just tear the meat to shreds! Maybe that's why they have improved them? Thank you so much for identifying this thing I have wondered about for 20 years. I am putting it in my drawer in the kitchen after I oil the handle and will use it soon. I can't wait to tell my husband and show him the google search you found!!!

Mine is spring loaded or something. The blades only come down with pressure so no chance of getting hurt unless you would really be careless. It's stainless steel too so no rust! I'm so happy right now, lol.

Thank you for the info

I sell a lot of items on Ebay. I do extensive research on everything I sell. The one you have is a DELUX model. Stainless steel, spring loaded, footed safety base, adjustable tension,etc. Probably for butchers and not the public. Value around $40.00 to $50.00. Yours is a gem.

Really? Hmm...I have 2 meat tenderizers already. A wooden and a stainless steel one and both look like a mallet with prongs. No, three! I have one that is like a hammer and flat on one side and pronged on the other. I collect kitchen tools. Ok, I hoard them! But I use them too. So now I have 4. Should I try to sell this one? Is there a market?

There are a lot of meat tenderizers for sale on Ebay. Cheap ones for about $10.00 - and better ones about $30.00 +. They are an exclusive item and with all the ones for sale, not much of a demand. You can try to sell, but I would probably take a while. I have a pronged hammer type. Large prongs on one side and small prongs on the other. The one with prongs on one side and flat on the other, tenderizes meat with the prongs and flattens meat with the other, mainly chicken breasts.

Yep, I use the flat side when I make chicken for my grands. I flatten out a breast and stuff the inside with sausage which has spinach and carrots finely grated along with garlic and onion. Oh and shredded cheese (whatever I have on hand). Roll up those breasts and wrap them in 3 pieces on bacon to hold together (that's my excuse for the bacon). Then I place the rolls in aluminum fil and bake about 40 minutes to an hour at 350 degrees and upwrap foil and broil or grill till the bacon is crispy.

I also have used the flat side as a hammer to pop nails in the wall for hanging photos )

Thank you again Bill. You answer so many questions here on Hometalk and are a real asset. My husband wants to keep the meat tenderizer. My bet is he finds another use for it or makes it into a lamp.

Oh my God! Your making me hungry =:) That is a great recipe! Got to remember it. Got to make sure no shards of nails get into the chicken =:) Would be a unique lamp! Glad to help! Had me baffled there for a few days.

It is a meat tenderizer for sure. Bill from Burbank posted the link to a google search with numerous photos. I was thinking about listing it on ebay but my husband wants to keep it and upcycle it to something. It does come apart. Bill said it is probably a hand held commercial one. It went from inside my storgae ottoman in my bedroom to my kitchen drawer for now :) Praying it does become a lamp or door hook or something!

Lol, that could be another use!

Excellent Answer!!!