Something that annoys me about toothpicks is the fact that they rapidly dull and splinter at the tips during use, becoming worthless in very short order when there's still plenty of good wood between the points. In order to combat this age-old tragedy, my engineers at 21st Century Quest Engineering have devised this astoundingly simple yet frighteningly effective countermeasure: The toothpick sharpener! Avast, ye wasters of the wood! En Garde, tooth decay!
-- 21 Quest, Sep 27 2009

M13 link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M13_link
Like this, but for toothpicks ... [8th of 7, Sep 27 2009]

Toothpicks http://www.lakeland...3cs653491&WT.srch=1
consider the link re-posted [kaz, Sep 28 2009]

they (toothpicks) could be designed to have breakable portions in the manner of a stanley knife.
-- po, Sep 27 2009


You could have a reel of endless toothpick
-- pocmloc, Sep 27 2009


Or you could just buy a non wooden toothpick?
-- kaz, Sep 27 2009


Plastic toothpicks don't ever seem to work as well as wood picks, and metal will tear up your gums. Wood is definitely the superior toothpick material. This just make your box of 500 last a lot longer.
-- 21 Quest, Sep 27 2009


If the toothpick was concentrically laminated with harder wood in the centre and progressively softer towards the edge, it would self-sharpen quite nicely.
-- pocmloc, Sep 27 2009


That would make them more expensive, which is undesirable. My idea is a simple device that could be purchased at a dollar store and allows you to make the most of existing toothpicks. Besides, the conecentric layers would likely peel off and get stuck in your teeth, defeating the purpose of the pick.
-- 21 Quest, Sep 27 2009


"You sharpened...and then you sharpened again! That's like putting your whole mouth in the sharpener."
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Sep 27 2009


I could see my Dad with one of these, oddly enough.
-- notmarkflynn, Sep 27 2009


There was a link to some neat-looking plastic toothpicks that I accidentally deleted. Sorry! I don't remember who's it was, but feel free to re post it.
-- 21 Quest, Sep 27 2009


// a reel of endless toothpick //

A tiny disintegrating-link feed belt, like for a .30 cal Browning MG ?

<link>
-- 8th of 7, Sep 27 2009


The problem isn't the availability of replacement toothpicks. It's the waste involved with having to replace them so frequently.
-- 21 Quest, Sep 27 2009


I tried to find something to not like about this idea, but indeed, I couldn't. I like it. Therefore I give you a +. (anything to save trees.)
-- blissmiss, Sep 27 2009


I frequently find myself breaking toothpicks in half just to reach awkward tooth angles.
-- RayfordSteele, Sep 27 2009


[+] Toothpicks are cheap enough to take as many as you would need if you didn't reuse them. But it's bun worthy nevertheless.
-- Jscotty, Sep 27 2009


I remember when we had to sharpen our toothpicks with a tiiiny little knife.
-- egbert, Oct 01 2009


I've used a knife before, too. Not as convenient, and can get you fired from work.
-- 21 Quest, Oct 01 2009



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