Having come upon this forum when investigating Patrick O’Brian’s conversation between Dr Maturin and Mr Evans, and thought I may perhaps be able to contribute in some small way.
Firstly the phrase ‘To cut (or not) the mustard’ is a direct reference to the uncommonly sharp knives needed for this task (apparently due to the nature of the fibres in a mustard plant). It strikes me that the phrase ‘To cut(or not) the ice may well also refer to the suitability of tools - ice is cut using saws, rather than knives, but the extension seems to hold, as saw technology and metallurgy from the presumed period of origin of the phrase would indicate that only a saw of above average quality steel would last, due to the induced brittleness caused by the low temperature, the naturally hard nature of ice, and the need for the tool to melt the ice at the teeth as much as cut it away. I briefly tried my hand at ice sculpture many years ago, with a chainsaw, and can attest to ice blunting the teeth at least as readily as hardwoods.
Secondly, in Patrick O’Brian’s example, the phrase is ‘Cuts no ice with me’. This could be a reference to the difficulty of using a double-ended saw on blocks of ice. From what I can determine, the method used before machinery was to cut large blocks of ice from the water surface using a single-ended saw, which blocks would then be hauled up on land to be chopped up smaller and packed in straw for shipping. The most efficient pre-machinery way of cutting a block of ice after it was brought to shore would have been a double-ended saw, operated by two men. Anyone having tried to use one of these (I have only tried this on wood) will know that without experience both of the tool and of each other, it is not easy for a pair to work efficiently, and the saw often suffers as a result. Perhaps that effect was exacerbated in ice, with a more brittle saw blade, and a greater need to keep the saw moving fast (as ice will reform around the teeth if the saw stops), making the quality of ones partner, and familiarity with working together, even more important (considering the high cost at the time of precision items such as saws). Perhaps the grits ‘cut no ice with‘ Mr Adams because they were unable to metaphorically harmonise, or act as a team, possibly as a reference to the harmony (or lack thereof) of the digestive processes after eating grits.
To ‘break the ice’ or ‘cut the ice’ between two people seems idiomatic enough, with the meaning of somehow overcoming shyness in the first, and insult or bad feeling in the second, and this may indicate a reference to a metaphorical temperature of ‘relations’ between Mr Adams and his ‘hominy grits’.
The trade of ice cutting and shipping was seasonal and very dependent on the vagaries of weather, and therefore ice cutters would have been very much working against the clock, especially in areas and periods where the ice harvest would only be available for a couple of weeks a year. Perhaps the reference is based on the need for very dedicated, efficient and hearty men to make the trade profitable, with the extension that an item which ‘cuts no ice with’ someone would not be chosen for the task due to some weakness or failing or general lack of suitability for the job.
Incidentally ice has been stored for food preservation since antiquity, with examples of Egyptian, Persian, Chinese and Roman ice houses still in existence. I found an unsubstantiated reference to them being in use in Babylon and Mesopotamia in general. Alexander was said to have built the first Greek ice house, the sale and use of ice (presumably cut) was apparently common even among the lower income classes in ancient Greece.
I also came across this definition from an online dictionary;
‘cut no ice with somebody’
if something cuts no ice with someone, it does not cause them to change their opinion or decision - I’ve heard her excuses and they cut no ice with me.
Cambridge Idioms Dictionary, 2nd ed. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006.
Personally I can’t quite reconcile that with the actual nature of ice or ice cutting, nor with Mr Adams usage relative to his grits.
Appreciate any comments..