These traditional nut picks were once a household staple, especially during the autumn and winter seasons when families gathered to crack open chestnuts, walnuts, or pecans by the fire. Each pick was carefully shaped to fit comfortably in the hand, allowing for the precise removal of nut meat after the shells had been split with a metal nutcracker. Many families kept their nut tools in a dedicated wooden bowl, often handcrafted to resemble a hollowed-out tree trunk. The bowl would feature a series of small holes to hold each pick upright, alongside a wider section where the nutcracker rested when not in use. It was both practical and decorative, a simple but enduring reminder of home traditions.
For countless households, this bowl and tool set became part of family gatherings, especially around the holidays. The sound of cracking shells mixed with laughter and conversation, and the faint scent of roasted chestnuts filled the air. These tools were built to last, made from sturdy metal with wooden handles, and the bowls were often carved from solid walnut or oak—woods chosen for their strength and beauty. Some were even passed down from one generation to the next, carrying with them the warmth of shared memories.
Today, these nut picks and bowls hold a special nostalgic value. They represent a time when simple tasks like shelling nuts were part of the rhythm of family life, when people took their time to enjoy each season and each gathering. Many collectors now seek them out in antique shops or estate sales, not just as functional kitchen items but as pieces of history that speak to a slower, more connected way of living. Each mark in the wood and every worn handle tells a story, linking the present to a past where craftsmanship and togetherness mattered most.
These metal picks are the perfect companions to classic seafood cracking tools, forming a complete set used for enjoying lobster, crab, and other shellfish. After cracking open the shells with sturdy nut or seafood crackers, these slim picks make it easy to reach every tender piece of meat hidden inside the smaller sections — claws, legs, and joints. They’re designed for precision, with pointed or slightly curved ends that glide through narrow crevices without damaging the delicate meat inside.
Traditionally made from stainless steel, they’re durable, easy to clean, and often come with textured or wooden handles for a secure grip, even when your hands are slightly wet or buttery from the seafood feast. Many families or restaurants keep matching sets of crackers and picks, often stored neatly together in small wooden trays or serving baskets during seafood dinners.
These tools transform messy, difficult shelling into an enjoyable ritual — part of the fun of eating lobster or crab. Guests gather around the table, cracking shells, sharing stories, dipping the meat in melted butter or lemon sauce, and savoring every bite. Beyond their function, these picks also carry a touch of tradition, connecting today’s seafood lovers to generations of coastal dining and family gatherings where every tool had its purpose and every meal became an event.
After you crack a nut open. Use those to get the meat out. I remember them from my childhood.
1) Wood Nut Bowl, Nut Cracker
2) Vintage HMQ Nutcracker set- 1 cracker, They often make a handy little tool for so many things too!
3) This HMQ vintage metal nutcracker comes with two nutpicks. perfect for all types nuts. Find it here
