What kind of weird-looking tool is this?
It’s the Thayer Universal Tool, TUT for short – a multifunctional tool for handling cooking and camping gear.
It can be used for lifting hot pans, lids, or coffee pot bails, pouring liquid from pots and kettles, moving grill grates, as a trivet for cookware and irons, holding candles, opening bottles, and apparently also tenderizing meat.
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Harry Epstein Co says it’s heat treated to remove moisture and should be seasoned like cast iron to protect from rust.
The tool measures 5″ x 4″. It’s made in Charleston South Carolina by ZPL & Co.
I’ve never seen this before – looks useful, and maybe even “buy it for life” type quality.
Price: $39.95
The metalsmith, ZPL & Co also makes a keychain-sized one out of stainless steel!
If you’re going to place an order at Harry Epstein Co, make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to check out all the other tools and goodies they sell.
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Harry Epstein is a fantastic and friendly independent tool store that specializes in USA-made and high quality tools.
Don’t buy up all the “BTA”s – I want one or two with my next order. What for? Not sure! They’ve got a lot of closeout tools and gear like that.
And don’t forget to ask for box art when you place your order! Make your request in the comments section at checkout.
Peter
Nice, that will make a good xmas present.
Jason
So, what is a ‘BTA’?
Stuart
Search for it in their store. It’s the thingamajig for $1.50.
Yadda
You can buy vintage versions of this same tool on that major online auction site. The design has been around for decades. If you like them and don’t camp they make decent trivets.
Stuart
Yes. But I like supporting modern blacksmiths, metalsmiths, and other makers of which there are too few these days.
Mike
Oh my, this is a great “candy store.”
Bill
Interesting, I have never heard of anyone claiming that metals are “heat treated” for moisture removal. At least, not in this context.