Improved No. 100 Champion Beef Shaver
Display: Cutting Edge
Culinary Technique: size reduction
Date: 1881
Manufacturer: Enterprise Manufacturing Company
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dimensions: 18" h x 12.5" w x 22" d
Watch collection donor Mel Mickevic demonstrate this object with
Dean Christopher
Koetke, School of Culinary Arts, Kendall College,
and Victoria Matranga, exhibition curator.
Used by grocers, the Champion cutter's pendulum swing-action blade sliced meat easily. It kept its sharp edge because it did not strike against a wooden plate and could be sharpened on the machine, simply by positioning the blade up. The cutter could be adjusted for different slicing thicknesses and could shave pieces as thin as one-eighth inch. The swinging blade handle turned a gear that moved the food holder along the spiral post, pushing the meat toward the blade. The Champion could also be used for slicing fruits, vegetables, and cheeses. Note the painted gold and floral ornamentation.