Stocking Stuffer for the Nut Lover: The Walnut Key

This is truly the trinket for the person who has everything (or maybe just that lucky someone with a big batch of red walnuts from the farmers' market). But when we saw it, we thought it was an oh-so-lovely stocking stuffer that's practical, too. There's only one problem with the one pictured above.

It's currently out of stock, unfortunately. And the company, Cox & Cox, is in England, so you'd be paying a pretty price for shipping. But their website is worth browsing; there are all kinds of beautiful home goods and some really pretty kitchen items.

• Cox & Cox website

Never fear, though. We found another walnut key, made by Alessi, that we think is just as cool (maybe even more so, with it's shiny, heart-shaped edges). And while it's a bit more expensive, it's available in the US.

• Nut Splitter/Walnut Opener, $21 from Alessi.

Obviously a good, old-fashioned nut cracker will do the trick, too. But this keeps the shell in tact and makes it less likely to crush the nut inside. What do you think?

(Image: Cox & Cox)

Comments (11)

unless you eat a ton of walnuts in their shells, this seems like a unitasker that will hardly ever see the light of day.

Or unless if you (or a neighbor) have an English or Black Walnut in the yard.

Will this work with black walnuts? I have a big container of them to shell.

If this works on pecans, I know some Austinites who would LOVE this gift!

This would be great for people who want to keep the shells intact for crafty purposes. And it's CUTE!

I like the first one better, it makes me think of wind-up toys. Like when you let it go, the walnut will go chomping across the table or something.

This appears to be little different from a small flat-bladed screwdriver. Which is something we all probably already have...

What clever and beautiful designs (in that order)! Would be a great gift and/or would look really nice set out with a bowl of nuts at a party. Definitely not a necessity though.

No, it won't work on pecans unfortunately, pecans are too smooth all over, whereas walnuts have a little weak spot.

You can definitely just use a screwdriver, you can also use the pointy type of vegetable peeler, or the right knife.

*Sigh* I don't think it would work on my beloved black walnuts. We have resorted to cracking these by running them over with the car. I'm not sure I've ever gotten one open with an actual nutcracker. Usually a hammer is involved, and it takes more than one strike!