UNUSUAL MYSTERY TOOL

mojjax · Mar 13, 2013

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:

JOHUNT · Mar 13, 2013

clothes wringer?

reelglory · Mar 13, 2013

Looks to me to be a spokeshave without the shave......

Critical Recovery · Mar 13, 2013

reelglory said:
Looks to me to be a spokeshave without the shave......

This.
It is a pulling type spokeshave with the blade portion missing.

JOHUNT · Mar 13, 2013

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

nhbenz · Mar 13, 2013

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"..

Ant · Mar 13, 2013

Or an old brass draw knife.

creskol · Mar 13, 2013

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.

Paleopilot · Mar 13, 2013

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.

Sentrom · Mar 13, 2013

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

mojjax · Mar 13, 2013

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 .

mojjax · Mar 13, 2013

Hi Paleopilot , it has no markings .

Paleopilot · Mar 13, 2013

mojjax said:
Hi Paleopilot , it has no markings .

Looks real close to #54 Stanley in the book. It may be missing the clamp that held the cutter.

Paleopilot · Mar 13, 2013

Sentrom said:
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.

DCMatt · Mar 13, 2013

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

DCMatt

clovis97 · Mar 13, 2013

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.

BosnMate · Mar 13, 2013

clovis97 said:
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."

Broken knee · Mar 13, 2013

I think it's a cobbler's tool for leather work? HH
BK

JOHUNT · Mar 13, 2013

Got dem' clothes wrung out yet?

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.