Q: I’ve had this for many years and thought it was to cut soft-boiled eggs. It’s in the shape of a chicken and is marked “Ed Wusthof, Solingen, Germany.” What is it and does it have any value?
A: It is indeed a pair of egg scissors used to cut off the top of soft-boiled eggs in the shell. After an egg is placed in an egg cup, the scissors’ ring fits over the top and the blade cuts it off so the top of the egg is even with the top of the egg cup. Wusthof is a family-owned company that has been in business since 1814. Currently it makes knives, spatulas, kitchen shears, kitchen gadgets and accessories, bar tools, and manicure sets. Your egg scissors were probably made in the 1920s or later. Egg scissors like these show up for sale online occasionally for as little as $10.
I have these same scissors with a mark on the inside back for Hoffritz NY Germany. First time I’ve used Kovels and been able to match them, except for the make. Looks like I made a good investment in Kovels, too bad the scissors aren’t a found treasure, but I like their uniqueness.