Carrot knife
 | |
| Type | Stress-relieving toy |
|---|---|
| Inventor(s) | Zhou Wenhao (Crazy Question Mark 493) |
| Country | China |
| Availability | 2022–present |
| Materials | Plastic |
The carrot knife, (Chinese: 萝卜刀) also known as a radish knife, is a toy launched in 2022 which resembles a pocketknife with blunt plastic parts.
Background
[edit]The carrot knife is a toy typically made of soft plastic and has retractable and foldable parts. The whole toy resembles the shape of a carrot. While it is made of blunt plastic it resembles the mechanism of a spring-action knife[1] or a pocketknife.[2]
The toy is intended as a stress-reliever for teenagers, similar to the fidget spinner.[3]
History
[edit]The toy was conceptualized by a Beijing-born 3D-printing artist Zhou Wenhao[4] who is known online as Crazy Question Mark 493 (Chinese: 疯狂的问号493). He is a student at a university in Wuhan.[3]
In June 2022, Wenhao came up with the concept for the carrot knife, and dubbed it as Zhònglì yòu zǎi xiǎo luóbo (Chinese: 重力幼崽小萝卜, lit. 'Gravity Cub Radish'). He posted an 8-second video on his Bilibili account and was viewed by 1 million people, becoming viral.[3] He would share the designs publicly but labeled it as "not for commercial use".[5][6]
In July 2023, he would post a video on Douyin about the toy which garnered 5 million views overnight. Several third-party manufacturers also began to sell the toy which eventually became known as the carrot knife.[3]
Safety and violence
[edit]Schools in South Korea, Taiwan and mainland China has explicitly prohibited students from bringing carrot knives to school and has discouraged their parents to purchase the toy for their children.[1][7][8]
Concerns were raised that the toy might encourage violence since the toy is often used to simulate stabbings.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "The controversial 'carrot knife:' passing fad or harmful overtones?". Shanghai Municipal People's Government. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ a b Kim, Se-jeong (18 November 2023). "Popularity of 'carrot knife' worries Korean parents". Korea Times. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d "萝卜刀从风靡全网到遭遇抵制 发明人挺委屈："就不是刀" - 新华网客户端" [The carrot knife which first became popular in the internet is now facing backlash. The frustrated inventor says: "It's not a knife"]. Xinhua.net (in Chinese). Wuhan Evening News. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Pak, Jennifer (2024-05-09). "The inventor of the carrot knife, a viral Chinese toy, made just $830". Marketplace. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
- ^ "他发明了火遍全网的萝卜刀，却无力对抗盗版_凤凰网". i.ifeng.com. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "谁的"萝卜刀"-新华网". Xinhua.net. China Youth Daily. 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "'Carrot knife' toy poses danger to kids: officials". Taipei Times. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "'Carrot knife' trend among teens in S. Korea sparks concerns over potential violent behaviour". The Straits Times. The Korea Herald, Asia News Network. 11 November 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.