Using this vintage-looking gadget is surprisingly easy.

1. Cook the egg

Prepare a boiled egg according to your preference. It is especially useful for soft-boiled eggs, where you want to keep the egg inside the shell.

2. Place the egg upright

Put the egg in an egg cup or another stable holder, with the narrower end facing upward.

3. Position the cutter

Place the circular opening of the tool over the top of the egg.

Make sure the cutter is centered and sitting securely on the shell.

4. Squeeze the handles

Gently squeeze the two handles together.

The teeth inside the ring move toward the shell and create a clean circular cut.

5. Remove the top

Once the shell has been cut, carefully lift off the small piece of shell.

Now you have a neat opening through which you can eat the egg with a small spoon or dip toast into the yolk. (MOT)

Why Did People Use This Instead of a Spoon?

You might wonder why anyone needed a special tool just to open an egg.

The answer is precision.

Tapping the top of a soft-boiled egg with a spoon can produce uneven cracks and tiny pieces of shell. A dedicated egg topper creates a much cleaner opening.

It also makes the presentation more attractive, especially when serving breakfast or brunch.

Instead of breaking the entire shell, you simply remove the top and leave the rest of the egg intact.

🕰️ A Curious Piece of Kitchen History

Tools like this are a fascinating reminder of how many specialized utensils were once found in everyday kitchens.

Today, most people simply use a spoon or knife to open a boiled egg. But older kitchen tools were often designed to perform very specific tasks as neatly as possible.

The Museum of Tools catalogues several versions of egg toppers and eggshell cutters, including scissor-shaped examples made in France and Germany. (MOT)

Some models were made with a cutting ring and hinged mechanism, while others used a different design to score the shell.

🥄 The Perfect Breakfast Companion

An egg topper is particularly useful if you enjoy:

Soft-boiled eggs
Toast soldiers
Breakfast served in an egg cup
Traditional European-style breakfasts
Elegant brunch presentations

Once the top has been removed, simply season the egg with salt and pepper and enjoy it with toasted bread.

For many people, the appeal isn’t just practicality — it’s the small ritual of opening the egg neatly and enjoying it while the yolk is still warm and creamy.

⚠️ A Small Safety Reminder

The teeth on some egg cutters can be quite sharp, so handle the tool carefully and keep it away from young children.

Always make sure the egg is stable before cutting, and avoid forcing the mechanism if the shell doesn’t cut easily.

The Mystery Is Finally Solved

That strange object in the photograph isn’t a cigar cutter or a random vintage gadget.

It’s a vintage egg topper cutter — a specialized kitchen tool for neatly opening boiled eggs. 🥚

It’s one of those little inventions that makes you wonder how many other mysterious objects sitting in old kitchen drawers have a surprisingly practical purpose.