A vintage kitchen tool recently sparked curiosity online after a Reddit user posted a photo asking for help identifying it. The sharp, almost weapon-like metal device had many viewers puzzled.

Discovered while cleaning out a grandmother’s house, it ignited speculation—some guessed it was a multipurpose gadget, others thought it might be an antique can opener. A few even joked it looked more like a weapon than a kitchen tool.

Eventually, older users recognized it: an early version of the can opener, from a time when opening canned food required caution and strength. One commenter recalled, “I still have a scar from when it slipped while opening a can as a kid.” Its jagged edge and punch-style mechanism often led to kitchen mishaps.

The can opener’s history is surprisingly dramatic. Before dedicated tools, people used hammers, chisels, or knives—dangerous and messy methods. In 1858, Ezra Warner introduced the first U.S. military can opener. Though functional, it remained risky.

A breakthrough came in 1870 with William Lyman’s rotating wheel design, making the process safer and more efficient. Innovations continued through the 20th century, including electric and ergonomic models, transforming the once-perilous task into a simple, everyday convenience.