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Sunday, December 14, 2008

What's the Purpose of the Butter Knife Notch?

What's the purpose of the notch in some master butter knives? Click on the picture below to see a larger version in which you can see the notch on the top of the blade better.


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!

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions/comments.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

It is my understanding that a Master Butter Knife is
used 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 ?

Silver Jim said...

This is a response to the last post regarding the notch. My answer is, "I don't know!"

An earlier comment posted by anonymous source gave an interpretation but I can't verify the information.

Sorry.

Unknown said...

Super Genious seems to think it is to clean food off a toothpick after use.

Tom C said...

I 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

Silver Jim said...

Tom C.,

That'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

Unknown said...

To pick up a butter pat from a plate if it is displayed/served that way.

Anonymous said...

That seems feasible