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.
 | |
| Type | Stress-relieving toy |
|---|---|
| Inventor(s) | Zhou Wenhao (Crazy Question Mark 493) |
| Country | China |
| Availability | 2022–present |
| Materials | Plastic |
Background
editThe 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
editThe 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
editSchools 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.