This month's mystery item is no mystery at all to some. In fact, at one time, it was a common household item. (This month's winner recognized it because she has one hanging in her home.) The name says it all: wick trimmer.

They were used on both candles and oil lamps to trim wicks and/or extinguish a flame, with the discarded wick being retained in the metal side-box until it cooled. Many people refer to this item as a combination tool (wick trimmer and candle snuffer).

Surprisingly, they are still made today. However, the use of the box seems to have disappeared over the years. Instead of a box, newer models  provide a larger surface area around the blade to catch the discarded wick. The trimmer we feature is a nice pair, but many are even more ornate. To enlarge the main pic, click here. To see the other side, click here.