On Apr 25, 5:52�pm, (Victor Sack) wrote:
> Gloria P > wrote:
> > Not quite. �My late mother-in-law had a bone-handled carving set with a
> > fork that had that rod. �It is a "rest" to prevent the fork tines from
> > touching the tableclolth and getting it dirty if it slid off the
> > platter. � On MIL's fork the rod swiveled down so it wouldn't be in the
> > way when you were carving.
>
> Why just the fork, why not also the knife, then?

Even way back they were much smarter than you... why be redundant.

The fork was used as a knife rest... the knife was placed across the
fork. Of course times have changed, no one does this anymore... maybe
European royalty still needs these demonstative symbols of oppulance
to stroke their wussy egos, they need these crutches because they
aren't secure in their self importance.