Frontier Fridays: Where Did You Get That Butter Knife?

Where'd You Get that Butter Knife?

During the early 1800s, the first meal of the day was an elaborate affair complete with fresh butter and toast. Butter was considered a delicacy because it was perishable and a chore to make. When factory or "creamery" production began in the 1860's it was possible to purchase this special morning treat from a butter and egg man. Specialized dishes were designed toaccommodate the standard one pound slab, which was about four inches round. A serving knife was used to cut individual dishes for individual servings of bread and butter. evolved, geiving rise to the butter knife as a standard part of silver tableware service in the 1880's.