Abstract: A nut can be pierced with a device employing an upper member having a manually engageable surface. The device also has a base with an underside adapted to stably rest atop a horizontal support surface. The upper member has a free end, a pivotal end, and a manually engageable surface. This member is mounted at the pivotal end to articulate atop the base. The cutter is mounted on the member proximate the free end and opposite the manually engageable surface. A retractable element is mounted adjacent to the cutter to reciprocate with respect thereto. This retractable element can retract relative to the member to expose and give the cutter clearance for piercing the nut.

Abstract: A device for piercing a nut has a cup-shaped member with a manually engageable, convex surface and a concave underside. A cutter is mounted on the concave underside of the member and points along a thrust direction. A retractable element is mounted adjacent to the cutter to reciprocate along the thrust direction. This retractable element can retract relative to the member to expose and give the cutter clearance for piercing the nut. The device is used by placing the retractable element over the nut with the cup-shaped member over the element. Then the cup-shaped member is thrust down to pierce the nut with the cutter. When the cup-shaped member is released, the retractable element moves relative to the cup-shaped member to push the nut off the cutter.