Abstract: An apparatus for the controlled fracture of the outer hull of a nut-like fruit wherein a reciprocable piston is moved within a frame and is supported and guided by arms that interfit with the piston to guide it or non-rotating movement into and out of engagement with the nut-like fruit. A key actuator is rotated by the user and which rotates an actuator, threadedly interengaged with the frame and which serves to provide the reciprocable movement of the piston. The nut hull is itself positioned between the piston and an anvil that among the surfaces of the piston and anvil that crack the nut hull are both configured so as to retain the nut in a stable position where it can be acted upon by the apparatus. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus is modified so as to act as a garlic press using the same piston constrained motion. In a still further embodiment. the apparatus is modified so as to operate as a corkscrew to safely and easily remove the corks from bottles such as wine bottles.