Yikes! It seems to me that the failure was due in part to the fact that those forks are a 2-piece setup, with handle screwing into tip. I didn't know such a contraption existed. Seems like a bad idea to me.

The pickle forks I have seen, similar to the one I have, are just a single forged piece which appears to be made of soft(er) material. I believe the probability of this type of fork shearing and/or shattering is not as great.

Thoughts?

Definately agree, I think only 1 piece solid forks should be used and still always wear eye protection.

Pickle forks are for guys that hit their Camaro's carburetor with a hammer in the Pep Boys parking lot.

Read your Mercedes manual and you'll never see one.

Use the proper tool

They don't carry those at Pep Boys! Besides, my Camaro's trunk is full of hammers, so I'm not sure how I would carry it home.