A steel company in Hiroshima, Japan, has become well known for producing products with unique shapes. One of their fruit-shaped tools has become surprisingly popular in Taiwan.
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Whether monkey or human, bananas seem to be irresistible to primates all across the globe. As it turns out, that’s true even of objects shaped like bananas, such as steel hammers produced by a Japanese company which have recently become a sensation in Taiwan. The company, witnessing an influx of orders from enthusiastic Taiwanese customers, took to social media to showcase the manufacturing process. It was accompanied by a curious question to the Taiwanese audience: "How do you plan to use it?"
The robust exterior and unyielding nature of these banana-shaped hammers sent orders through the roof for the Hiroshima-based company.
While these bananas aren’t for eating, they’re not just for show either. Video demonstrations show that the hammer is fully functional and can effectively drive nails by the bunch. The hammer is 20 centimeters long, weighs 1.5 kilograms, and the company says it can be used in environments reaching 1000 degrees Celsius. But such pristine quality comes at a cost: NT$2600 (US$80) for the large size and NT$700 (US$22) for the small size.
But that’s not all. The company revealed which of its other steel products are popular in Taiwan, including steel shellfish. They say they have even received requests for steel versions of the famous blue and white house slippers.
With these new additions to the product line, the company has solidified its reputation as the go-to supplier for unconventional steel items.
As orders continue to pour in, the Japanese steel company finds itself busier than ever, meeting the unexpected demand from a country that has truly gone bananas for its innovative steel products.
But demand for these hammers is not the same everywhere. In the freezing temperatures of Alaska, which can reach as low as -30 degrees Celsius, frozen real bananas will do the trick. Resilient in icy conditions, they maintain their banana shape while serving as practical tools for hammering nails.
