Its that time of year around here. Maybe further south the season is gone. So my wife gets a batch of chinquapins from a friend because she likes them much better than chestnuts. What a pain to shell! When I was in grade school, that was the snack almost every kid had in their pocket. I decided to try to make something that could maybe make things easier. I first made one block with a single beveled hole. 5/8 diameter with a 60º countersink. This worked well, so I made a thee holer. It works but the back of the knife needs a stronger wack. This was sort of a "proof of concept" try, but I think it will work. I'll take a half chinquapin and drop it in the hole, stab the middle with a thin screwdriver or pocket knife and pry out the center. No more mashing with the teeth.