I was forced to use one of these to put paté on my plate at a party recently, as the host had run out of utensils. During one of the many bouts of “collective silence” it occurred to me that if you could use it as both a slicing and serving implement, there must be many other ways in which it could serve a purpose.

And as they come in many different designs, why not sizes as well?

1. On an electric car
Despite your best efforts, you cannot drive up the hill to your house. But those clever Norwegians have already thought of this, and incorporated them into the anti-skid system.

Electric motors roll them down on to the bottom of the tyres. The fitted wheel arch camera “sees” whether you are trying to go up or downhill, pointing them in the right direction, with the blade increasing your grip by cutting in to the ice.

It’s good for both environment and car because there’ll be no need to salt the roads, meaning you won’t have to worry about rust.

2. On a skiing holiday
Have you forgotten to take your skis with you, or are the slope-conditions less than perfect? Strap a couple of these on your feet and you’re away (or “whe-hey”, depending on your abilities).

3. On a summer holiday
For flies.

4. On a fishing trip
Forgotten your razor at home?

5. On a boat
Useful if you are either up the creek without a paddle, or your rudder has become detached. Remember the rope and a long pole to affix the slicer to.

6. In the army
Forgotten your knife or bayonet? You’ll disable the enemy effectively when you whip out one of these instead, because he’ll die laughing.

7. For the vain or the bomb-squad
A spare mirror.

8. At the office
How many times has someone fouled the document-shredder just when you needed it?

9. DIY
Unless you can afford the labour prices and call in a craftsman each time, there is a point when everybody is confronted with the grim reality of silicone or “Polyfiller” that needs to be pushed into an almost completely inaccessible crack. But though you’ve solved the problem with a cheese slicer with, it’s unlikely that you’d ever use it near food again.

10.Anyone for tennis?
Great for backspin and frequent ball-changes.

So the next time you’re stuck for ideas as what to buy somebody as a gift, get them one of these. So many uses, for just one piece of kitchen equipment.

Clever, those Norwegians.