civilwarblacksmith Posted September 28, 2008 Posted September 28, 2008 This is a crab knife/mallet that I made for the trade item for Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland. Our trade item this month is something to eat steamed blue crabs with, a crab cracker, crab knife or mallet. Railroad spikes can be a most versitile shape when making rather unique items. The seafood knife on one end and then bend the top of the spike over in order to make the mallet made for a very comfortable shape. Since seafood knive are not sharpened, that area isn't dangerous as part of the handle. It was then coated in vegetable oil and set in the oven at 425 for 2 hours. We had a trade Item on a bbq tool and someone had made a spatula that he had place in the oven and cooked with no type of oil, just the heat from the oven. He said it has been used many time and washed in the dishwasher and has never rusted. The metal was file finished mild steel. Anybody ever heard of cooking it in the oven and metal not eventually rusting? Quote
CurlyGeorge Posted September 28, 2008 Posted September 28, 2008 Hey Reb. He may have used cooking oil on it, and seasoned it like you would do with cast iron cookware. Just a thought. Quote
Dan W Posted September 28, 2008 Posted September 28, 2008 I'll definitely be making a few of these. I live in north FLorida and our crab claw season is about to start and these will come in right handy. Quote
civilwarblacksmith Posted September 28, 2008 Author Posted September 28, 2008 Actually CG, I used spray Pam and lightly wiped it off. I put it in the Oven a 425 degrees for about an hour and a half. It ended up being in there for over 2 hours because I went to the shop and got busy. We did the trade item at our meeting today (Sunday Sept 28) and the funny thing was the crab eating tool that I got was Longhunter's who I'm training at my forge in Union Mills. We made it Yesterday (Saturday Sept. 27) at Union Mills. He did a good job on it. But as his (Tor)mentor, I graciously told him it was ugly. He knew I was kidding. He's been doing really great. Quote
mcraigl Posted September 29, 2008 Posted September 29, 2008 Yea, but did you eat crabs with it? What does a blue crab look like? Are they as good as a Dungeness? Send us pix of a good 'ol Maryland Crab feed would ya. I'll post up some good 'ol Oregon Dungeness pix in trade. Quote
civilwarblacksmith Posted September 29, 2008 Author Posted September 29, 2008 I used it some to eat the crabs. Personally, Dungeness are easier for my arthritic carpel tunneled fingers to pick. The blue crab turns red when steamed and are steamed with Chesapeake Old Bay seasoning. Quote
hammerkid Posted September 29, 2008 Posted September 29, 2008 Cool Idea Reb. Don`t reckon I could sell em round here though they ain`t no carb LOL. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.