UNUSUAL MYSTERY TOOL

mojjax

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Feb 27, 2005
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This tool has been hanging on the wall , behind the counter at the local hardware store for several years - so far no one has been able to give it a positive ID . I asked them if I could take a few pictures of it , I told them I "knew some people " that like to ID stuff . so here it is -

It's about 16'' long . the brass part is kind of thick with no sharp edges . :icon_scratch:
 

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It almost resembles a weapon, like a billy club, blackjack, cosh, or a sap. Double barreled with brass knuckles! lol
 

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So, Mojjax, if we're IDing this for the hardware store does this mean we're identifying all the thing of that barn of yours?
I hope not, there was some great stuff in there! Good to see you posting regardless.
Anyway, due to the size, I would go with a Cooper's shave (need the large one's to make barrels). Spoke shaves tend to be 9-10"..
 

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Never seen a spokeshave shaped like that, nor have I seen one with a brass frame. Not to say that it isn't one, but I have never seen one like it.
 

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Any maker marks at all on it? I agree it's similar to a spokeshave but, so far I'm unable to ID that particular one. Here are some "usual" ones.
 

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I cannot see how you would attach a blade. I think it looks more like a wheel gauge.
 

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I don't think it's a spoke shave or a draw knife - there's no place to attach a blade to it . the brass part has all rounded edges , doesn't look like it was ever sharpened , I don't think brass can hold a sharp edge . all the wood working tools I've seen have steel blades .
 

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Hi Paleopilot , it has no markings .
 

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I cannot see how you would attach a blade. I think it looks more like a wheel gauge.
The blades were held in place with a screw type clamp. They were made to fit the frame so as to be adjustable as to the angle desired. The clamp was part of the cutter.
 

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Here is a similar one. Not quite as long...

IMG_2850.jpg

DCMatt
 

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I've been messing around with old tools for most of my life, and while I am not an expert, I do not believe this is a spoke shave.

I've never seen a spoke shave like the one pictured.
 

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I've been messing around with old tools for most of my life, and while I am not an expert, I do not believe this is a spoke shave.

I've never seen a spoke shave like the one pictured.

Me to. I don't know if there is such a thing as a "clothes wringer," but I'd be more inclined to believe Johunt on that than a spoke shave. If hanging in a hardware store they couldn't prove it's a spoke shave, it's gotta be something else, an off the wall thing, like a "clothes wringer."
 

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Got dem' clothes wrung out yet?cc879e977143201090a3e9b20e534f12_image_250x243.jpg

It's really a simple concept, pull a larger item through a smaller opening to "wring" em' out! LOL
I had also considered it to be some sort of carrying tool, like for pails or hot kettles? Or maybe something to drag deer outta the woods by it's hind legs, although it might be a bit small.
 

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When I was taking pics of it in the hardware store today there was an older customer in his 70's checking it out - he said leather working .
I think it's a cobbler's tool for leather work? HH
BK
 

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