Methods for cracking hickory nuts?

[tglass]

Wish I'd have known about that years ago, Corsicana is not out of the question around this time of year to visit relatives for thanksgiving.

 

[The Haymaker]

Beat the squirrels to some hickory nuts this year and getting ready to process them. As a kid, my mom had me place the nuts in a sack and go at them with a hammer. Then a lot of time was spent picking out the small pieces of meat. Anyone have a better method or a recommendation for a really good nutcracker?

Thanks!

Get married.

 

[Bird]

Wish I'd have known about that years ago, Corsicana is not out of the question around this time of year to visit relatives for thanksgiving.

I didn't look up the website for the Bancroft Pecan Company before, but it's worth stopping if you happen to pass by on highway 31. There's also a Bancroft Pecan House in Canton, TX, and I don't know anything about it; whether it's the same family or not.

 

[chips papaw]

i was cracking some hickory nuts for my wife last winter she uses them when she makes candy. needless to say i had a lot of the shells left over.i didnt know what to do with so i tryed to burn them in our fireplace. they will burn up to powder they really put a lot of heat out while they are burning and they also put off a blue fame while burning. i was really surprised maybe this will help someone else or i hope so.

 

[lhfarm]

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This link from Mother Earth News says to use a hammer but I believe my thumb would be mighty sore in just a few minutes.
https://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/1980-09-01/Hickory-Nuts-The-Inside-Story.aspx

Where is Euell Gibbons when you need him? Remember, he used to say that Grapenuts taste like wild hickory nuts.

I actually like the small vise idea. It can apply pressure without a crushing/shattering blow.:thumbsup:

I don't think I ever worked with hickoy nuts or chestnuts, but I've sure had lots of experience cracking and shelling pecans, and a little less experience with walnuts and other nuts. I think I may have tried just about every kind of nutcracker made at some time or other and the Texas Native Inertia Nutcracker was the best I ever used. It's also designed so it cannot crush the nut and ruin the meat. I had 2 of them when I had a dozen pecan trees before moving back to town 8 years ago.

If I were creative like lots of folks here, I'd come up with device that would hold the nut in the correct position and strike or apply pressure with my fingers safely out of the way.

Bird, I really enjoyed the "How it works" video. That is a guy I'd like to meet.

 

[lhfarm]

Just as a follow-up, I used the method in the Mother Earth News article. I quickly figured out that if I struck the small bump on the narrow side, it would crack as described. I used the flat surface on my small bench vice and regular hammer. It took some time, but much better results than random smashing. No finger damage either.

Thanks!