Käsipressi

Käsipressi, often translated as hand press, is a type of mechanical device used to apply significant force by hand. These devices are typically characterized by a lever system that amplifies the user's input force, allowing for tasks that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with bare hands. Historically, käsipressi have been employed in a variety of applications, from wine and olive oil production to bookbinding and metalworking. In traditional winemaking, a käsipressi would be used to extract juice from grapes, pressing the fruit against a surface to separate the liquid from the solids. Similarly, in olive oil production, a similar mechanism was used to crush olives and press out the oil. The fundamental principle involves a screw or lever mechanism that translates rotational or linear motion into a strong compressive force. Modern variations of the käsipressi exist, often adapted for specific industrial or craft purposes, though the core concept of mechanical advantage through manual operation remains the same. These tools are valued for their simplicity, reliability, and the ability to provide controlled, high-pressure application without the need for external power sources.