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:

Bigcypresshunter · May 2, 2015

unclemac said:
let's look at it this way...

can we agree that it is a two handed tool?
can we agree that the only pictures provided of options are shaves of some sort?
can we agree that ALL other (while creative and interesting) theories lack ANY photo evidence?
can we agree that it is in the 100 year old range?
can we agree that being made of brass limits its function...or perhaps defines its function?

consider this too, if it is held with two hands whatever it does does not require a third hand....either that or it requires a second person.

The pictures provided of shaves only helps prove that it is NOT a shave. Anyone that thinks its a shave, has obviously never used one and most likely never saw one either. Find even a remotely matching spokeshave frame, brass or otherwise, without a throat or threaded screw hole, or any other way of attaching a blade and I will listen. I agree I wish posters would search for photo evidence or links to support their other theories.

can we agree that it is a two handed tool? YES
can we agree that the only pictures provided of options are shaves of some sort? NO
can we agree that ALL other (while creative and interesting) theories lack ANY photo evidence? NO
can we agree that it is in the 100 year old range? maybe, i would guess 50-120
can we agree that being made of brass limits its function...or perhaps defines its function? YES

Bigcypresshunter · May 2, 2015

Someone posted pics of ropemaking tools. Maybe this is a 2 handed version.

As far as the spokeshave theory:
There is no way to attach a blade and no one has discovered any way to attach one on this tool.
The brass frame itself could possibly be used to scrape something but brass normally wont hold a sharp edge and the OP stated that all edges are rounded. QUOTE: brass part has all rounded edges , doesn't look like it was ever sharpened , I don't think brass can hold a sharp edge

Bigcypresshunter · May 2, 2015

use the words "antique OR vintage" in any search

Bigcypresshunter · May 2, 2015

The clothes wringer theory may hold water. Unclemac is
right, we need to look for supporting pics for these creative theories.

Ant · May 2, 2015

Looks like the blades can be clamped on:

Ant · May 2, 2015

It sure looks like something was clamped on where I have the doodle, the pattern is evident.

Bigcypresshunter · May 2, 2015

Ant said:
Looks like the blades can be clamped on:

Hello Ant. I realize its hard to tell by looking at the pictures. But I own most of these spokeshaves pictured, I have sold spokeshaves on eBay and they all have a way to attach and adjust the blade. They also all have a throat. Anybody that has ever owned one of these has said NO to a spokeshave. All of the tool people have said NO to a spokeshave. The hardware store has said NO, The OP has said NO. The only people that keep talking about spokeshaves have never actually seen one. I dont have them in my hand at this moment as they are all in the warehouse packed away. If I took pictures front and back you guys wouldnt believe me anyway.

However I will study your planes because you took the time to post them. There are sites online however that show the breakdown of these spokeshaves. One of the best sites to come to mind is the Blood and Gore site. I believe I posted some pics of a bare frame a few pages back.The Superior Works - Patrick's Blood & Gore: Preface

Bigcypresshunter · May 2, 2015

Ant said:
Looks like the blades can be clamped on:

The spokeshaves were a lot fresher in my mind when this thread first started lol because I havent sold any for a few years so bear with me lol. I do have quite a few stashed in my warehouse. Yea they kinda clamp on. But the only plane pictured that has any remote possibility is the plane on the bottom of Ants pics. Its hard to see. Do you have a better pic or can you post the link? Forget about the others, they are not even close.

trdking · May 2, 2015

Bigcypresshunter said:
The spokeshaves were a lot fresher in my mind when this thread first started lol because I havent sold any for a few years so bear with me lol. I do have quite a few stashed in my warehouse. Yea they kinda clamp on. But the only plane pictured that has any remote possibility is the plane on the bottom of Ants pics. Its hard to see. Do you have a better pic or can you post the link? Forget about the others, they are not even close.

View attachment 1156150

Not it!

Bigcypresshunter · May 2, 2015

trdking said:
Not it!

LOL trdking. I am just trying to be nice to these guys because they seem to be serious minded people. I really seriously doubt that its any kind of spokeshave. I remember now that the parts are fastened with a screw thats threaded into the frame. Note the Stanley no 54 spokeshave front and back. I point to the center screw and the throat with a red line. THIS UNKNOWN ITEM HAS NO THREADED HOLE.

stanley 54 spokeshave throat red paint.webp

Bigcypresshunter · May 2, 2015

Now Im going to take this a step further in an attempt to end this nonsense about spokeshaves. One of the only companies that I am aware of that makes brass planes is Lie Nielson. This is the closest match I could find to the unknown item. I will post pics top (pic1)and bottom showing the throat (pic3) along with a disassembled photo (pic2) showing the 2 threaded holes in the brass frame. I am also posting the link with a video. I hope you enjoy it more than I did. This site gives me fits trying to post and my patience is getting thin. I worked hard finding this so I hope you guys study it. You too unclemac because I know you are not convinced. :thumbsup:

Lie-Nielsen Boggs Spokeshaves - Spokeshaves & Radius Planes - Planes, Spokeshaves & Scrapers - Hand Tools | Axminster Tools & Machinery

the video clic on arrow top left http://www.axminster.co.uk/lie-nielsen-boggs-spokeshaves Note:he calls the throat a mouth.

Bigcypresshunter · May 2, 2015

Ant said:
It sure looks like something was clamped on where I have the doodle, the pattern is evident.

Something may have clamped there Ant but I have never seen a spokeshave frame that looks like this and nobody has posted a pic of one..

Could it be possible that the blade somehow clamps on without a threaded hole? Yes I suppose its possible but I have never seen it fastened that way..

Would it work without an adjustable throat? Maybe as some kind of scraper but a weird one.

unclemac · May 2, 2015

is it just me or is that thing tiny...i notice the fingers touching the handles and it sure looks small.

Bigcypresshunter · May 2, 2015

unclemac said:
is it just me or is that thing tiny...i notice the fingers touching the handles and it sure looks small.

They come in all different sizes unclemac. Thanks for looking. I may be an impatient old man but I'm really just trying to help because I have had a lot of experience selling antique planes, including spokeshaves, scrapers and some coopers planes. And I have done a lot of reading on spokeshaves and I never heard of a spokeshave or Coopers shave like the unknown item.