Every now and then, a mysterious object pops up on social media — and it sends the internet into detective mode.

That’s exactly what happened when a photo of a strange, old-fashioned kitchen tool started circulating.

It’s small.
It has prongs.
And it looks like something between a fork and a claw.

Thousands of people guessed everything from a gardening gadget to an antique hair curler!

The Real Identity Will Surprise You

This odd-looking tool is actually a vintage butter curler — popular in the 1940s and 50s.

Back when presentation mattered just as much as taste, hosts used this to make delicate, ribbon-like curls of butter for guests. Fancy, right?

The curved blade scrapes across a block of cold butter, creating beautiful spirals to serve on bread plates.

Why It’s Making a Comeback

Believe it or not, people are starting to buy these tools again — not just for butter, but also to shave chocolate, cheese, or even soap for crafts.