To be frank, we have no idea! We have heard some reasons:
- It's to help keep the knife from sliding off the butter plate (how would this work?)
- It's just decorative
- It's related somehow to fish knives
We've posted this question in the hope that it will generate comments from readers to help enlighten us!
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The notch is an indicator that differentiates an individual diner's knife from the butter knife that sits next to the butter tray. You use the knife next to the tray to cut your share and your notched knife to spread.
ReplyDeleteThe notch is an indicator that differentiates an individual diner's knife from the butter knife that sits next to the butter tray. You use the knife next to the tray to cut your share and your notched knife to spread.
ReplyDeleteIt is my understanding that a Master Butter Knife is
ReplyDeleteused to remove butter to your plate/bread dish and
be returned to the butter dish, then you would use
your individual butter SPREADER to apply the butter
to your bread...so, what is the NOTCH on the top of
the blade portion of the Master butter knife ?
This is a response to the last post regarding the notch. My answer is, "I don't know!"
ReplyDeleteAn earlier comment posted by anonymous source gave an interpretation but I can't verify the information.
Sorry.
Super Genious seems to think it is to clean food off a toothpick after use.
ReplyDeleteI have a silver butter spreader with the initials B L in a circle surrounded by Greek letters it has fanciful ornamentation on it, I'm curious what it is
ReplyDeleteTom C.,
ReplyDeleteThat's got me stumped for the moment. Check here to see if any sterling or silver plate marks look similar: http://www.silvercollection.it/hallmarks.html
To pick up a butter pat from a plate if it is displayed/served that way.
ReplyDeleteThat seems feasible
ReplyDelete