What would this be ?

fernando · 3rd October 2016, 07:03 PM

Thank you Ian. A fair suggestion, but i am afraid the hunting decor and the reduced size of the handle wouldn't meet such purpose. Yes, it must have some age; it shows some wearing.
Still it could be for some kind of splicing alright

.

russel · 3rd October 2016, 09:28 PM

Could it be a knife sharpener, for honing a blade as butchers do?

Rick · 4th October 2016, 01:29 AM

I think it's safe to say that whatever this is it has been cobbled together from disparate elements.

I can't remember seeing a curved fid (Dad did a lot of splicing) in my Old Man's ditty bag.

A hone; were they often made from wood?
Maybe it's some kind of home made burnishing tool?

The hilt looks like a hilt from an Argentine Criollo.

fernando · 4th October 2016, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

... I think it's safe to say that whatever this is it has been cobbled together from disparate elements...

Possible

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

... Maybe it's some kind of home made burnishing tool?..

Less probable

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

... The hilt looks like a hilt from an Argentine Criollo.

With such a hunting scene; dogs chasing a deer ?

-

fernando · 4th October 2016, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

...I can't remember seeing a curved fid (Dad did a lot of splicing) in my Old Man's ditty bag....

Isn't this a fid in the sailor's knife ?

.

Rick · 4th October 2016, 08:59 PM

I think the curve may be there more to protect the owner's hand while the knife is folded up. The fid is also handy for loosening a tight or corroded shackle when the folder lacks a shackle key.

fernando · 5th October 2016, 11:05 AM

Noted

.

Ian · 5th October 2016, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I think it's safe to say that whatever this is it has been cobbled together from disparate elements. ...

Yes, it looks like a home-made tool of some sort, put together from bits and pieces. That would not be unusual for a sailor's item.

Could the wood be ebony? It certainly looks very dark in the pics.

How did you find this interesting piece Fernando?

fernando · 5th October 2016, 02:25 PM

Thank you Ian,
I appreciate your confirming Rick's assessment that this may be a put together device; you know, he is getting old and we never know if he is sure of his senses

. (Crossing fingers ... hoping he comprehends my sense of humour

).
Well, the other day i met with my local fellow collector with intention to go to Braga city, to check on a cased pair of flintlock pistols that looked a bit suspicious. First thing the seller did was to show me this object in discussion and, as we both ignored what it was, he promptly offered it to me, saying that he was getting rid of the riddle, as he was transferring it to me.
Yes, it does look like ebony, "pau preto" (black wood) as we call it here.

.

Ian · 6th October 2016, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Thank you Ian,
I appreciate your confirming Rick's assessment that this may be a put together device; you know, he is getting old and we never know if he is sure of his senses

. ...

I know, I know

Thanks for the interesting back story on this piece. A mystery indeed.

Ian.

Kmaddock · 6th October 2016, 08:58 AM

Hi
Could it be a "dibber"
a tool used in gardening? for potting plants
I attach a random picture from the net but if you google dibber you will find 100's of varieties

I taught I might as well throw this idea into the pot.
regards

Ken

5th October 2016, 02:25 PM	#9
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you Ian, I appreciate your confirming Rick's assessment that this may be a put together device; you know, he is getting old and we never know if he is sure of his senses . (Crossing fingers ... hoping he comprehends my sense of humour ). Well, the other day i met with my local fellow collector with intention to go to Braga city, to check on a cased pair of flintlock pistols that looked a bit suspicious. First thing the seller did was to show me this object in discussion and, as we both ignored what it was, he promptly offered it to me, saying that he was getting rid of the riddle, as he was transferring it to me. Yes, it does look like ebony, "pau preto" (black wood) as we call it here. . Last edited by fernando; 5th October 2016 at 08:36 PM.

6th October 2016, 08:58 AM	#11
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi Could it be a "dibber" a tool used in gardening? for potting plants I attach a random picture from the net but if you google dibber you will find 100's of varieties I taught I might as well throw this idea into the pot. regards Ken Attached Images

3rd October 2016, 07:03 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you Ian. A fair suggestion, but i am afraid the hunting decor and the reduced size of the handle wouldn't meet such purpose. Yes, it must have some age; it shows some wearing. Still it could be for some kind of splicing alright .

3rd October 2016, 09:28 PM	#2
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Could it be a knife sharpener, for honing a blade as butchers do?

4th October 2016, 01:29 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	I think it's safe to say that whatever this is it has been cobbled together from disparate elements. I can't remember seeing a curved fid (Dad did a lot of splicing) in my Old Man's ditty bag. A hone; were they often made from wood? Maybe it's some kind of home made burnishing tool? The hilt looks like a hilt from an Argentine Criollo.

4th October 2016, 08:59 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	I think the curve may be there more to protect the owner's hand while the knife is folded up. The fid is also handy for loosening a tight or corroded shackle when the folder lacks a shackle key.

5th October 2016, 11:05 AM	#7
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Noted .