“An object found in the kitchen of a relative, about 18” long. Its puck-shaped end is heavy, solid metal."
Answer: “It is a salamander. You heat it up in a fire or with a torch until it is red hot, then use it to brown or toast things, like steaks, bread, crème brûlée, etc.”
Corn Remover. Cut the kernels from the cob.
It's for both. Also good for squeezing citrus, cracking eggshells, and breaking bones. Not everything has ONE purpose.
It's both, and good on crab... although with lots of crab/lobster consumed a person gets good enough not to need anything but teeth.