# Identify this Whatsit **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 3, 2018, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790 "2018-01-03T11:57:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2018, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/121 "2018-01-06T21:45:00Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > That had me going for a moment. > > did we ever find out what it was ? I think there was a conclusion, but I don’t remember what it was. A decorative project of some sort? ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/122 "2018-01-07T02:15:28Z")
Don’t the Catholic priests give you communion wafers on a little paddle like that? ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/123 "2018-01-07T04:14:19Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > Don’t the Catholic priests give you communion wafers on a little paddle like that? About 50 years ago or so, they would place them on your tongue with a platen held underneath, but they were typically metal, gold, plated I suppose, at least in my parish. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/124 "2018-01-07T08:36:18Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > And you believe that’s a valid comparison to two fucking pieces of wood? Seriously? 🙄 OMG you’re right! No one in today’s day and age gets to production without checking key parameters – unless it’s just a multi-billion dollar aircraft project. Completely different situation. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/125 "2018-01-07T16:36:41Z")
Somewhere, someone opened a shipment and discovered they are missing hundreds of bamboo thingies needed to complete assembly. I know, every time someone posts, I too run to see if there’s an answer. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/126 "2018-01-07T18:16:58Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Somewhere, someone opened a shipment and discovered they are missing hundreds of bamboo thingies needed to complete assembly. Something equally disastrous as the mechanical dragon intended for the Bayreuth opera house being sent to Beirut, no doubt. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/127 "2018-01-09T15:50:53Z")
Sorry to keep everyone in suspense! As promised, more [photos](https://flic.kr/s/aHskA78Yfg) which show scale and different angles. If you an idiot like me and can’t figure out how to make the photos display, click on the square icon on the far right above the album name/header. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/128 "2018-01-09T16:27:19Z")
How did these arrive at your store? Did they come in a box, and/or from a source you know? Or is the store like a Goodwill, and someone just dropped off a bag of these things or something? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/129 "2018-01-09T17:29:03Z")
From the side view, it does look like a wall hook or something. ---
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/130 "2018-01-09T18:10:19Z")
What’s that strange looking black material between the wooden layers in the bottom disk? Carbon nanotubes? ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/131 "2018-01-09T18:28:45Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > How did these arrive at your store? Did they come in a box, and/or from a source you know? Or is the store like a Goodwill, and someone just dropped off a bag of these things or something? The owner of the store buys truckloads from Amazon, Target and [Jet.com](http://Jet.com). I’m not sure where these particular things came from. They kind of have a Target aesthetic, but, of course, by the time things get to us, they are long gone from Target’s website. ---
**Author:** ![gorangoran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@gorangoran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gorangoran)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/132 "2018-01-09T19:18:18Z")
My two €-cents after seeing new pictures: 1. According to the wood texture, this is definitely bamboo. 2. The circle base and the handle were laser-cut, thus the black burn marks on the edges. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/133 "2018-01-09T20:35:21Z")
> [@Ignotus](#): > > What’s that strange looking black material between the wooden layers in the bottom disk? Carbon nanotubes? Ixnay on the ubestay. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/134 "2018-01-09T21:35:24Z")
That’s the beauty of it – it doesn’t do anything! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/135 "2018-01-09T21:43:26Z")
> [@gorangoran](#): > > My two €-cents after seeing new pictures: > > 1. According to the wood texture, this is definitely bamboo. > 2. The circle base and the handle were laser-cut, thus the black burn marks on the edges. Concur. I wasn’t sure from the first picture in the thread, but it’s definitely bamboo (nodes now obvious and endgrain is very distinctive) and yes, I think laser cut. Furthermore, the fixing method of the ‘handle’ piece (two small tenons) indicates that the handle isn’t a hook for anything heavy. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/136 "2018-01-09T21:46:29Z")
Found it! > **[Deco Round Natural Bamboo Serving Disk - 3" x 3" - 100 count box](https://www.restaurantware.com/disposables/tableware/pallets-serve-bases/deco-round-natural-bamboo-serving-disk-3-x-3-100-count-box/)** > > The ideal serving tray for single sushi rolls and other small appetizers, these 3-inch disks are a charming and elegant way to do bite-sized food serving at your restaurant or catered event. Made from bamboo, they bring about a natural aesthetic to... ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/137 "2018-01-09T21:51:40Z")
Nice job, Mangetout! ---
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/138 "2018-01-09T21:55:53Z")
The finding goes along with your user name! Excellent! ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/139 "2018-01-09T21:58:37Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Found it! > > [https://www.restaurantware.com/product-category/disposables/tableware/pallets-serve-bases/deco-natural-bamboo-round-serving-disk-3-inch-100-count-box/](https://www.restaurantware.com/product-category/disposables/tableware/pallets-serve-bases/deco-natural-bamboo-round-serving-disk-3-inch-100-count-box/) Dagnabbit! I actually thought of that and did some googling for single serving sushi servers, but I didn’t find it. Well done! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790/140 "2018-01-09T21:58:50Z")
Well, that’s dumb. But you are awesome, **Mangetout**! At last I can rest. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-whatsit/805790.md?page=8)