This is the Best Spatula Ever. Well, the second Best Spatula Ever. Hutzler LOPOL 717 - fiberglass reinforced nylon.
At a wedding shower close to 23 years ago, I was given among many other things, a spatula. I think that's when it appeared in my life, anyway. It might have even been a college purchase. In any case, I was in possession of a tan plastic-y spatula that was the best spatula ever. It was flexible enough to get under and flip an over-easy fried egg without letting it drop and breaking the yolk. It was sturdy enough to deal with a great big hamburger or a well stuffed grilled cheese. It was, however, not leave-it-in-the-pan heat proof and eventually it showed the scorch marks and melted spots that bore witness to just how often I grabbed this, my Excalibur.
On Christmas morning of 2003, I killed it. I not only left it sitting on a hot omelet pan, I left the pan on the burner. I'm not ashamed to admit I cried. After a scandalously short period of mourning, I started looking for a new one. Another one, exactly the same. I'd been on this quest for several years, actually, knowing that eventually my wounding would be mortal. I never found another, in all those years, but on that Christmas morning, my quest took on a new urgency. I didn't have that old spatula any more, and every other one in the drawer was, honestly, crap.
After who knows how many search term combinations I found it. And it was cheap! I bought 5 and gave one to my friend Jackie who sympathized with my quest for the perfect spatula. The rest, though, are mine, mine, mine. If the first one made it 20 years, I think I'm set. BTW, if you go to the link, the spatula knife? PERFECT for cutting hot brownies.
19 comments:
Aw, honey; I'm so sorry that you were without the perfect spatula for so long.
I guess there isn't a Spatula City store in your neck of the woods?
I had a spatula like that. Not exactly like that one, mine came free with a box of Aunt Jemima pancake mix 20 years ago. It was a cheap, white plastic/nylon spatula and it was the best thing in my kitchen, bar none. I killed mine too, melted it into two pieces, and have missed it every day since. I have bought several replacement spatulas over the years but none compares.
We've had OUR Hutzler/LOPOL 717 spatula for over 33 years, and if it ever got messed up, I don't know what I'd do. Best thing ever.
How, funny! I was googling my Hutzler spatula for a replacement when your link appeared as well. I let my daughter take our last one to college. When she returned and I found it while repacking her stuff, I grabbed it and put it back in its rightful home...MY kitchen drawer, to be used by an experienced cook.
But seriously, my husband used to bring them home all the time from work when the drug reps. brought in catered lunch to the office. We even had them in COLORS! We burnt/broke/destroyed them all. The one I speak of above was found in an office kitchen cabinet just a few years ago. But $7? Inflation is terrible. Thanks for the link to purchase.
crazyinAZ
My thoughts are similar to Dorothy's. I laughed and laughed when I read what she wrote. Why didn't I think of going to the internet before this? I received the original turner as a gift approximately 40 years ago. I searched and searched to duplicate this spatula/turner, as I was always needing a second one. I walked into every kitchen accessory place that I could think of and probably purchased a dozen spatulas (maybe more), which were subsequently donated to relatives and charities.
I just ordered six of these fanatastic turners online! Can't wait to share two of them with my daughters, keeping the rest for myself and my husband to use and enjoy.
Joan Wieder
I'm here today looking longingly at the last of our 3 717's after an expansive frustrating search at those Kitchen stores. Why didn't I just turn it over and Google before! I'm ordering 12 from the website!
Thanks for this post! I have been trying to replace my old cracked one, and have a drawer full of mediocre spatulas to prove it!
I love these comments. This is truly the best spatula ever! I was fortunate to marry into mine--it came with my husband. I think he got it when it was left in a college apartment over 20 years ago. I wonder if some mom is wishing she hadn't let her son take it to school.
We haven't killed ours yet but I never want to be without one so I am buying a set--that is 6 for $7, right? Can't go wrong with that. What a great Christmas gift for my husband!
Is there a support group for people like us--people who are enamored with their spatulas? I wonder. I didn't know there were so many fans out there. But I am glad to be in such great company.
I wish each of you happy flipping for the rest of your life since the 717 spatula is out there on the internet!
Thanks so much for the post and comments. I had my red 717 spatula for 24 years and it's on its last legs. My husband and I were both very bummed that it was on its way out. We were so thrilled to find your post when we googled hutzler lopol. I've just ordered 6. Long love 717s!!!
I thought I was the only one in the world who felt this way about this treasure of my kitchen. I received mine as a shower gift in 1975 and it lasted until this past Friday night! My daughter was using it & it snapped in half!!! I couldn't believe it!
what to do??? She did a search & yesterday in the mail 6 of the 717's arrived!!! The BEST surprise gift EVER. Also got the set of utensils & an extra spatula. I am in heaven!!! And so glad not to be the only spatula freak!! Yay!
Thank you!!! Thank you!!! I feel the same way!! I've had my 717 for 25 years and I've searched high and low for anything to come close to it!! I'm so excited to find this link!! Mine's on its last leg!! Denise
I have the exact same feelings about this spatula as the author! OMG--it is the best. I bought a red one in college at MacFrugals--in 1987. Cuz I could afford it. Have used it almost every day since. I found a gold one at a thrift store a few years ago--love it. Now I have purchased my set of 6. I'm in heaven. Thank you for knowing where to buy them!
I was googling to find replacement for ours when I came across your page. This is the "go to" spatula at our house. But - we know where we got ours. They came free with to go lasagna from the Olive Garden. I was hoping to find a place to find them without having to order giant party size lasagnas.
Wow! This is like a spatula support group. Not that we are neurotic or anything...but this morning our red 717 cracked after 30 years, and even though I have two spares in my pantry, we panicked...really, who knows how long we might live? We thought surely they'd be out of business by now. Joy to find out we can re-order from your link until our hearts' content!
WE ARE ALSO HAPPY & THANKFUL, THAT WE FOUND YOUR LINK. THESE ARE THE BEST FLIPPERS AROUND. GLAD THEY'RE STILL AROUND. GOOD JOB!
Wow, found this site because I looked on the back of my spatula to find out if I could buy another one. I LOVE this spatula. I think it came with the house or got it as a gift. But it does the trick everytime. great for fried eggs, grilled cheese and especially my cookies. No other spatula gets under the cookies with such ease and eloquence. Would love another. Any idea where to buy? lo-pol by Hutzler 717
This is just TOO funny. Re the 717s. I have a yellow and a red (well it's sort of orange now). They have to be at least 44 years old. My first recollection of them is in my 6th grade house. I was 11. They are by far the best spatulas I have ever used. It's very funny how loyal a following they have. Who'd have thought a group of people could be so attached to something as simple as a spatula. You can see mine and the unsuitable substitutes I've acquired over the years here. https://picasaweb.google.com/103956146819641847893/Lopol717?authkey=Gv1sRgCK6bs6i2g-2fEw&feat=directlink
Thanks so much for the link. I also have this spatula and it is the best. I broke one but I do have one left and I was able to find the name and number on the back of it. I wanted to get some extra ones so I am glad I found your info. As others have said, I have been looking around for spatualas, and they just never are as good as this one. I have saved the link in my favorites in case I need it in the future.
I am so happy that I am not the only one who is emotionally attached to their spatula. I accidentally murdered mine in the diswasher. It had fallen off the top rack and got wedged between the heating coil and the back wall. We grew up together, 30 plus years - I cried like I lost my best friend! I just ordered 6. I hope they are still makng them the same as they were 30years ago!!!
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