Renthead Mommy Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I was watching tv earlier and someone was killed with an ice pick. Ice picks are old school murder mystery tools. As a kid, I thought they were just nods to the old days and old movies and such. But watching yesterday's show made me realize they are still in use as plot tools. Which made me wonder, how many people actually have ice picks laying around? I always envisioned them as used for chipping off chunks of ice off the block of ice that was delievered or taken out of the out back ice house in the early 1900's. I'm sure they could be used for more, but typically if I had a bag of ice to break up, we would either bang the bag against the ground, or wack it with a large screwdriver, and that is pretty standard procedure as far as I have seen. So do you own an ice pick or is it just a plot tool in murder mysteries at this point? And if you own one, what do you use it for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I own an ice pick. I keep it around in case I have to murder someone. Just kidding. I don't know why we own it, but we do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I own an ice pick, but I mainly use it as an awl when I need to stab a hole in something. ETA: I'd have to go to pretty extreme lengths to dig it out of a drawer to murder something with it. I have better murder implements just laying around on my computer desk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I use mine to hold corn on the cob when I'm cutting the corn off. I've also used it to pick at the six inch layer of ice that accumulated at the bottom of the ice dispenser. I hate my fridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 My mom owns one and I grew up using it to break up bags of ice that had melted and then been refrozen, etc... we don't have one in our home, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Married almost 40 years. Still do not have an ice pick. Have never really needed one. I think back in the day when ice was delivered in blocks, ice picks were important. I'm pretty sure no one has blocks of ice delivered any longer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyco Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I have an ice pick, I keep it pointy side down in the utensil crock next to the stove, and use it regularly. We buy bags of ice in the summer because our ice maker died, and sometimes the ice cubes are frozen together. It was my mom's, it's probably 45 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I don't even know what an ice pick is for (except murder, of course). I could see it being useful on an ice-fishing trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Nope, don't have one. Ice cubes were already invented when I was a kid. :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 We buy bags of ice on an ongoing basis for an ice therapy machine because our freezer icemaker sometimes doesn't make enough or malfunctions. And sometimes we use it to break up the ice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 I use mine to hold corn on the cob when I'm cutting the corn off. That is actually a brillant idea! But since I don't have one (as someone else said, so many easier to use if I ever do need to commit murder), I'd have to take Mrs. Mungo's suggestion and use our awl. Married almost 40 years. Still do not have an ice pick. Have never really needed one. I think back in the day when ice was delivered in blocks, ice picks were important. I'm pretty sure no one has blocks of ice delivered any longer... Exactly, that is why I wondered why they still show up in murder mysteries. It made sense in the Agatha Cristy early type novels, but not now. I don't even know what an ice pick is for (except murder, of course). I could see it being useful on an ice-fishing trip. Sort of like a large, skinny, pointed screwdriver. Not super useful for ice fishing. I'd think you'd want something bigger to make that hole. Nope, don't have one. Ice cubes were already invented when I was a kid. :laugh: LOL! Exactly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripley Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I don't have an ice pick, but I do have an ice mallet. I use it pretty regularly for entertaining (when we buy bags of ice). I'm able to drop bags of ice on the table to break them up, but the mallet lets me delegate the task. Mom and the kids generally need it. And I generally prefer it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 My dad still has one. I do not and wish I did. It sounds like something useful to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I think I inherited mine from mil. quite handy for when someone does not shut freezer door and ice cubes clump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 My dad still has one. I do not and wish I did. It sounds like something useful to have. I remember watching a movie once where someone used a stiletto heel instead of an ice pick. Maybe you were talking about the more mundane uses like picking ice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Yeah I have one, and actually use it. I'm retro like that. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I remember watching a movie once where someone used a stiletto heel instead of an ice pick. Maybe you were talking about the more mundane uses like picking ice. Single White Female? I just think I might need an ice pick, awl, thingie to stab corn, something to reenact scenes from that movie with Michael Douglas and that blond lady, etc. Sounds super useful. :D I'm 5'10" so sadly, I have no stiletto heels...maybe I could get a pair just for the stabbing use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I have one. Gift from my mil. Sometimes I use it to chip a few servings of frozen vegetables off the block. Also, when the plastic opener ring for the vinegar pulls off in my hand (e-v-e-r-y time, stupid cheap vinegar bottles) I put it in awl mode to salvage the bottle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 When we got married, I discovered my husband owned an ice pick. I'd just read a mystery in which a victim had been killed with one, so I threw it away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatechip Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Married almost 40 years. Still do not have an ice pick. Have never really needed one. WHAT?!? No ICE PICK??? And you haven't even NEEDED one? What have you been doing with yourself these last 40 years??? The things you've been missing! :D ;) :D ;) :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Sometimes someone leaves the freezer door ajar and then the ice melts and refreezes. I usually just stab it with a boning knife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Not only do I not own one, I am all but certain I have never even seen one except on TV and in movies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 IMO it would take too much work to kill someone with an ice pick. it is so tiny and skinny and I have no eye-hand coordination so I would need to stab them a lot to get it in the right spot. Once you start killing you certainly wouldn't want them to recover. I would probably use something larger that would take less effort and I would be less likely to fail, probably a car, or a crockpot or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 My parents had one growing up but for the life of me I can't remember what it was ever used for. My mom had a lot of oddball kitchen utensils/implements that she wound up with when various elderly relatives went into retirement homes, so it's possible it was one of those. I haven't owned one in nearly 16 years of marriage and have never missed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Television taught me as a child that the main use of ice picks was to kill people. Since I have never needed to kill anyone, I just never got one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Actually, now that most people don't have ice picks, what modern implement can be used as the quirky murder weapon of opportunity instead? Cell phones just aren't sharp enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Actually, now that most people don't have ice picks, what modern implement can be used as the quirky murder weapon of opportunity instead? Cell phones just aren't sharp enough. Well, Slatri made the suggestion of crockpot or car. I have a number of implements on my desk that I could take an eye out with, but I couldn't stab someone in the heart with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Not only do I not own one, I am all but certain I have never even seen one except on TV and in movies. My grandparents had one, probably left over from the days when ice was delivered in blocks to their home, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I have 3 ice picks that I inherited from my mom. I kept them, just in case, you know. Honestly, the only thing I ever saw my mom use them for was opening her canned milk. She would punch two holes in the lid with the ice pick. Since I use heavy cream in my coffee, I've never had an opportunity to use one on canned milk yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 My grandparents had one, probably left over from the days when ice was delivered in blocks to their home, lol. I'm pretty sure my ice pick was my great grandmother's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I have 3 ice picks that I inherited from my mom. I kept them, just in case, you know. Honestly, the only thing I ever saw my mom use them for was opening her canned milk. She would punch two holes in the lid with the ice pick. Since I use heavy cream in my coffee, I've never had an opportunity to use one on canned milk yet. we had a can punchy thing for that. I don't know what it is called, chocolate syrup was in a can and we had a thing to punch a hole in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share Posted September 1, 2014 Love how threads turn on this board! LOL! We've gone from plot tool, to who ownes one, to what current day object can be used to murder someone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 we had a can punchy thing for that. I don't know what it is called, chocolate syrup was in a can and we had a thing to punch a hole in it. Oh my gosh. I forgot about that. I think it was Hershey's chocolate syrup in a can. If she wanted a bigger hole, she would wiggle the ice pick around. I wonder why she didn't use a regular can opener thingy - that makes the 'v' shape hole. I get with the canned milk she didn't want it coming out fast in her coffee, but chocolate syrup? I wonder what funny things I do that my girls will talk about after I'm gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share Posted September 1, 2014 we had a can punchy thing for that. I don't know what it is called, chocolate syrup was in a can and we had a thing to punch a hole in it. They are called church keys. Bottle opener on one end and pointy on the other end. Those were perfect for Hersey chocolate syrup, condensed and evaporated milk (back before one of the had pull tabs) and certain cans of cranberry sauce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 scissors, knitting needle, hatchet (yes, we have one), chainsaw (ditto), hammer, heavy vase, metal kabob skewer, revolver, rope, candlestick, wrench, letter opener that looks like a dagger, I even have a lead pipe (no, not lead. . . copper but I think it's still heavy enough to kill Mr. Body), Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 ^^Remind me never to piss you off, Jean! :eek: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I still think an ice pick is/would be sturdier than a knitting needle, kebab skewer, &/or a letter opener. :lol: Plus, an ice pick has a much better handle for gripping than any of those items. I don't have an ice pick, but I know there is one (somewhere) at my mom's house.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 scissors, knitting needle, hatchet (yes, we have one), chainsaw (ditto), hammer, heavy vase, metal kabob skewer, revolver, rope, candlestick, wrench, letter opener that looks like a dagger, I even have a lead pipe (no, not lead. . . copper but I think it's still heavy enough to kill Mr. Body), Sounds like you're ready for the zombie apocalypse... and Colonel Mustard in the Ballroom. ETA: http://www.80stees.com/products/black-clue-choose-your-weapon-shirt :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 we had a can punchy thing for that. I don't know what it is called, chocolate syrup was in a can and we had a thing to punch a hole in it. It's called...wait for it...a can opener. Or it might be a double-sided tool: can opener on one end, bottle opener on the other. I think "church key" was more colloquial. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Oh and I do have a book on poisons. Because at one point in time I was writing murder mysteries. (My last story was left hanging when ds was 9 months old and starting to get into everything. . . . I've never gotten back to it.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 No ice pick. Although my great-grandfather was an ice man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evergreen State Sue Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Probably the only reason I have an ice pick is because I took it from my parents' kitchen after they passed away. I've used it a few times when bagged ice melted and then froze together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sdel Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 My dad told me that in an emergency they would use an ice pick to stab the cows who were bloating to release the gas.... Stefanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 My dad told me that in an emergency they would use an ice pick to stab the cows who were bloating to release the gas.... Stefanie Yet another helpful use for an ice pick. I will be getting one posthaste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 No ice pick. Although my great-grandfather was an ice man. Did he cometh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Other. I frequently use my knife sharpener as an ice pick because Alton Brown said I wasn't allowed to own a unitasker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I wish I had my father's ice pick. We use a screw driver to breakup bags of ice. The ice pick would work better. And sometimes you just want to stab someone on the eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 We had an ice pick on the boat (to go with the ice box and accompanying blocks of ice). I believe they are still used for killing people off. We just call them "shivs" now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I still think an ice pick is/would be sturdier than a knitting needle, kebab skewer, &/or a letter opener. :lol: Plus, an ice pick has a much better handle for gripping than any of those items. I don't have an ice pick, but I know there is one (somewhere) at my mom's house.... I don't think you knit socks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 A hammer works well for breaking up refrozen melted bags o'ice. Yes, I do keep my hammer in the kitchen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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