What is this thing?!

[DianaGaleM]

This object came in a lot of mixed flatware. The seller had no idea what it was, so tossed it in as a freebee. I had no clue, either, at first.

It's very shiny, and the engraving is faint, so it was difficult to photograph (my apologies). It's made of stainless steel, measures 88 x 45 x 20 mm (3-1/2 x 1-3/4 x 3/4 inches), and weighs 54.8 grams:


If you can't make it out, the logo is a fish on top of an onion inside a triangle, with a long arrow looped around them. Below them it says, "DEOS," then below that – not visible in the photo – it says, "FRANCE," inside a box.

I have since found out its intended use, but find it hard to believe. Well, now that I own one, I guess I can give it a try...

[amena]

It's a stainless steel soap. It is used to remove cooking odors (fish onion etc..) from hands. It is used as if it were soap, and it really works. The flat part at the top in the photo is for nails.
Regards
Amena

[amena]

More details here

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-stainle ... l-soap.htm

[DianaGaleM]

Aw, shucks, I thought this would really stump everyone. I'd never heard of "stainless steel soap." And it still doesn't seem logical, to me. How can something as inert a stainless steel affect odors?

I see, though, that I need to message "wisegeek" because he has a misconception about stainless steel.

Stainless steel is not "chromium plated" steel. It's low-carbon steel alloyed with chromium (18% for most tableware and kitchen utensils). The chromium atoms near the surface oxidize with exposure to air, and it is the layer of oxidized chromium that prevents the iron atoms from oxidizing (rusting). Because the chromium is throughout the steel, scratches are "self-healing." When air reaches the insides of a scratch, the chromium there oxidizes, re-forming the protective coating.

I just gave "the soap" a try by dousing my hands with the juice from a jar of minced garlic... Well, you couldn't prove this by me because it didn't work. Egads, I'm going to smell like garlic until it wears off! There's never a lemon when you need one.