At the Art Deco exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria I noticed a diecast meat slicer made by Hobart that looked as if it was developed for the charcuterie needs of 1950s astronauts. I immediately wondered if anything of the like was available in my price range. The answer is not even remotely.
But I did find the above on Ebay for $15.
Despite a nice patina of wear, the blade remains sharp. It slices through home-made bacon with ease. It shaves salami in thin, papery slices. It has a degree of difficulty that makes it a danger to use; a little like rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time while holding a fistful of razor blades in one hand and a ham in the other. In other words, my idea of a perfect utensil.
Detail of the clamp. I like that the designers added an overhanging lip that secures the meat slicer to the edge of the table.
I’d love to know any more details out there about this diecast meat slicer. Beneath the slicer the imprint reads:
Automatic Production Limited
Diecasters
Repetition & Manufacturing
Engineers
Brompton
Adelaide
SA
Registered Design No. 42073
There is no date, but I’d take a guess from the fonts used on the side of the slicer that it is from the 50s.
September 20, 2008 8:09 pm
I am filled with lust for your meat slicer.
September 21, 2008 12:08 pm
Wow. That’s an amazing find. Would you sell it?
September 21, 2008 12:21 pm
Never.
December 6, 2008 2:26 am
Awesome! I would wind up with a million stitches, but it would be worth it. Excellent find!
September 23, 2009 12:59 pm
We picked up one at Camberwell Market last Sunday, same price! Ours has yellow plastic rather than black, was missing the g-clamp (and nameplate) but came with an elongated U-shaped chrome-plated wire. It’s held in place with a knob (same as the feet) and a small plate, where the two grooves and threaded hole are on the side. It reaches as far as the nameplate, and I’m told is a safety device that stops the moving guide from moving too far, but I can’t see it being very effective. Any idea what the three little holes in a row on that guide are for?
Wish I’d paid more attention to the one at the Art Deco exhibition!
September 23, 2009 1:02 pm
I think that the three holes are for the sharpener – you would bolt it on there if you had one. Either that, or they’re purely aerodynamic.