Chopper on the left, mincer (garlic, etc.) on the right.

dang...I knew someone would beat me to the answer!

You can still buy similar tools today.

Nancy

Yep! I was going to say parsley/herbs for the mincer.

Teresa

I believe the correct term for the tool on the left is a mezzaluna....

Here is a link that might be useful: mezzaluna

The one on the left most resembles a mezzaluna, which usually is rocked back and forth to chop herbs or whatever. You could use the other one for herbs, too. Thre are modern versions of each.

Nice find!

THANK YOU!!!! I think I will use them and see how they work. To be honest, I never would have figured them out!

Not a mezzaluna...which is meant to be rocked on a flat surface. This is a chopper plain and simple...meant to be used ina wooden chopping bowl and from the green handles, from the late 1930's or3 early 40's.
There is sort of a rule of thumb for telling the era of old kitchen stuff by the color...very early, no paint,t hen came blue paint, next green and finally red or red with white a striped handle.
I like old kitchen carp!
Linda C

Linda - you know I rarely disagree with you... but on this one I will. Mezzaluna refers to the curved blade shape, which can be used in either a bowl or on a board. Yes, the alternate name is an "herb chopper" but it is a mezzaluna.

Alexa

I would use the right one to make noodles.

dcarch

Now....Alexa, when will you learn not to argue with me!!LOL!!...Mezzaluna means half moon in Italian....and yes the one handled thing is a half moon and could technically be called a mezzaluna....but it was in use by my New England Grandmother and the Pennsylvania one long before anyone but those of Italian heritage ever heard of a mezzaluna. They called it simply their "chopper". Unfortunately my grandmother's chopper got lost when my mother moved....it was double bladed and carbon steel, likely dated to about 1910....and she would have looked at you cross eyed if you had called it a mezzaluna.
But it was a half moon shaped chopper....so technically a mezzaluna, and the ones available new....are now called mezzalunas. So....you are right, those things are now called mezzalunas.
But in the early part of the 1900's and into the 1950's, except for the Italian community, they were not referred to as a mezzaluna....just a chopper!
So considering the fact that the "chopper" dates from the mid 1900's...I'm saying it's a chopper!!
Let's not talk of ulu knives.....Ok?
Peace????
Linda C

After much sound and fury, we learn, "So....you are right, those things are now called mezzalunas."

Jim

Mezzaluna to the left and herb chopper to the right. Essentially used for the same things.

My old boyfriend's little Italian mother and her little Italian sisters, who were all great cooks (and boyfriend himself went on to have a cooking show on TV and write several cookbooks), had a mezzaluna that looked like it had been handed down from before the Borgias. And they called it a mezzaluna, so there's nothing new about that word for that implement. In France it's called a demilune or a hachoir, and it's probably got other names in other cultures. Just because it wasn't called by its Italian name a hundred years ago in America, that doesn't make it any less correct. History didn't start in 1900. ;o)

I was just at an antique shop today and saw several identical to the one on the right. They were labeled noodle/pasta cutters and I have one that looks a little newer that is also a noodle cutter.
Sally

I have always known it by that name in Italian.
My Grandmother used one in a wooden bowl, also.
That was before the 50's. Mezza means half. Luna is the Moon.
Italians have to name things in a Romantic Note.

There is an Italian Folk song " Oh Ma Ma "
( Maybe a different Title )
Starts out " Che La Luna, Mezza Mare "
Think it means, The Moon in the Middle of the Sea.
Something like that.

Italian lyrics too, are Romantic, sometimes don't make sense but sound good.

Like the song " I have but one heart "

Starts," Di cimo Mari, Facimo L' Amore, A curi curi "
Means: " Tell the Sea we are making Love, Heart to Heart "

Sure !!! Who else are you going to tell, Her mother ???
Sorry folks , way off subject. I get carried away.
Lou

LOL! Maureen, I agree that history didn't start in 1900! It has always been know as a mezzaluna in the area of New England I am from, never a chopper.

Depends on where you're from, I guess. I grew up out on the plains and it was always called a chopper.

I have one of those parsley cutters, as on the right of your picture. It's quite effective, but the parsley does tend to get stuck in between the grooves! They are readily available at any supermarket.

I still have one of these egg beaters, too!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1507849}}

I have a mezzaluna, and mine is also somewhat antique. It has a metal handle that was painted green, and I generally use it for cutting pizza. I find it easier to control than the pizza wheels. I used to have one of the other cutters with the multiple wheels, but I found it awkward to use and got rid of it. It's much easier to use a chef's knife.

Lars

Here is a link that might be useful: Mezzaluna

I grew up in the south and they were called a chopper and a mincer. Just depends on where and when you're from.

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but I'd be careful using those. I collect lots of vintage kitchen items and I have tons of stuff like that from the 30s, 40s, and 50s, mostly - egg beaters, choppers, rolling pins, can openers, etc. Just be aware that the green (or red!) paint on the handles is most likely lead based - if it's flaking, it might just flake into the food you're preparing with them as well.

I don't think it'll be a big deal, but it's something to be aware of. I just use my vintage ware for decoration because of that reason.

You got some beauties there tho! Love the mezzaluna!

Lisa

Liza:
I remember now, what you said about the Green Paint.
Maybe that's what's wrong with me. I chewed on the Green Paint too long.
Could be what a few others did too !!!

Had so many Collectibles like you mentioned.
Lost tract of everything, mainly because of the new things coming out.
Then you wonder " why did I get rid of that ??? "

I used an Ulu to Cut up and skin Dinasaurs, when I went hunting.

The Wooden Bowl, Mezzaluna and Ulu Knife are History now.

I always used a Chef's Knife for chopping food and cutting Pizza,
or a Pizza Cutter when cutting in a Pizza box.
Lou

noodle cutter on the right-had one for years.

I don't think it matters what you call it, if you say it with an Italian accent, it's gonna sound great!

Sally