That description is actually very specific — and it’s almost certainly not for hair 😊
If it looks like:
- A giant comb or hair pick
- With thick, sturdy metal prongs (not flexible)
- And a Bakelite handle (common in early–mid 1900s kitchen tools)
…it’s most likely a:
🍖 Vintage Meat Fork / Carving Fork
These were commonly used from the 1920s–1950s. The thick prongs were designed to:
- Hold a roast steady while carving
- Lift large cuts of meat from a roasting pan
- Turn heavy items in hot oil or broth
Bakelite was popular for handles because it:
- Resisted heat
- Didn’t melt easily
- Was durable and inexpensive
Why It Looks Like a Hair Pick
Older carving forks sometimes had:
- 3–6 long, evenly spaced prongs
- A wide “comb-like” shape
- Very solid construction
But hair picks have thinner, flexible tines — yours being thick metal is the giveaway it’s for food.
Quick Test
Ask yourself:
- Are the prongs sharp at the tips? (Meat fork)
- Are they rounded and blunt? (Possibly something else)
If you can describe:
- How many prongs it has
- Whether they’re sharp or blunt
- Rough length
…I can narrow it down further.
