Page 1 of 1
Fyffes banana Timor Giesen & Forsthoff
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 11:18 am
by Tusaura
Can anyone recognise this knife? It was made by Giesen & Forsthoff of Solingen and is Rostfrei.
I expect it was a promotional piece for Fyffes. I wonder how many exist. I had no idea special banana knives existed until I found this one.
Re: Fyffes banana Timor Giesen & Forsthoff
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 2:30 pm
by 1967redrider

to AAPK! You say this is a banana knife, but it looks like a mellon tester to me?

Re: Fyffes banana Timor Giesen & Forsthoff
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 3:26 pm
by Tusaura
You are right, of course, thank you.
I mean, who needs a knife for a banana.
Re: Fyffes banana Timor Giesen & Forsthoff
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 3:31 pm
by Mumbleypeg
That pattern is typically called a sausage knife. Typically a melon tester has only the long spear master blade whereas a sausage knife also has the fork. Made for slicing and eating/tasting sausages. I’ve never heard them called a “banana knife”, but I have seen knives having a “Billhook” blade that are used for harvesting bananas by the bunch.
The OP knife looks like a typical advertising promotion knife. Would have been made for Fyffes of course, no telling how many were made.

Don’t know what products Fyffes sells but that would be an indication of the knife’s intended purpose.
Ken
Edit: an internet search for Fyffes turned up an Irish produce company. “Fyffes is primarily involved in the production, procurement, shipping, ripening, distribution and marketing of bananas, pineapples, melons and other exotic fresh produce. Fyffes currently markets fruit in Europe and North America”. So a melon tester is probably the intended purpose of the knife. The Fyffes web site shows bananas, pineapple, melons, avacado, etc so the knife could be used for any and all of those. I’ll still stand by my comments about the pattern being a typical sausage knife though.

Re: Fyffes banana Timor Giesen & Forsthoff
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 3:42 pm
by Tusaura
I am in the UK. I purchased it at a carboot sale from someone who said he had a work contract with Fyffes and they gave it to him. Fyffes are well known in the UK for bananas. It makes better sense that it is for melons, or just as useful for sausage testing. I'm so pleased to have joined this forum to share knowledge, so thanks to all.
More interesting are the makers Giesen & Forsthoff, who appear to be a quality small scale producer in Solingen.
Re: Fyffes banana Timor Giesen & Forsthoff
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 5:12 pm
by doglegg
Tusaura wrote: ↑Sat Aug 09, 2025 11:18 am
Can anyone recognise this knife? It was made by Giesen & Forsthoff of Solingen and is Rostfrei.
I expect it was a promotional piece for Fyffes. I wonder how many exist. I had no idea special banana knives existed until I found this one.
Cool knife

!
Re: Fyffes banana Timor Giesen & Forsthoff
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 7:24 pm
by knifeaholic
That is a nice one - scarce to see that pattern with the fork. Really the pattern is generally associated with food and/or food prep - with the fork blade I would call it a "picnic" knife - for slicing and serving meats, cheeses, fruits.
Re: Fyffes banana Timor Giesen & Forsthoff
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 8:08 pm
by Reverand
Welcome to AAPK!