What would this little 'tool' be ?

[fernando]

Not the right configuration. Both head and hole should not be wider than the shaft. Neither the material; mending needles have a harder steel finish, not soft enough to have decorations. A worse situation if it were for leather penetration; edges and point sharpness having to be more acute.
Still so far the brick laying level tool is the winner.
...Further opinions to be considered, though.

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[Kmaddock]

I think the tip is neither wide enough nor long enough for work in masonry.

the torque when pulling the string would, I think, pull it out of the mortar too easily.

plum bob maybe?? but it does not look heavy enough.

regards

Ken

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Kmaddock

... plum bob maybe?? ...

Nahhh .
Look at the picture in #11. Those thin holes were probably made with simple nails. If they stand the torque of a thin string, why wouldn't this thing ?

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[Richard G]

To change track - could it be a scarification tool or knife, if sharpened?
Possibly African
Regards
Richard

[fernando]

One possibility that i wouldn't reject ... at all, Richard.
The decoration, yes. What i don't find when i browse the Web on those, is a tool with a similar pattern.But still.

PS
Should i discard the blood letting (phlebotomy) scalpel/lancet ?


,

[kronckew]

Any Masons out there?

P.s. - Dha spines have similar crosses and bars decorating some.

I've been thinking Roman for this item... Very little info on small disposable ancient tools like this.

P.p.s. - Nails work too, over shorter distances or on floors. The mortar is quite stiff after the next brick is placed on top and pounded down. This item is indeed way too light for a plumb bob.

You go back later with a semicircular tool to point up & smooth the joints into a concave profile (and fill in the holes). This is done to allow rainwater to run off the join, instead if sitting in the groove, other , including more decorative, profiles are OK for non weathered interior walls.

[kronckew]

Heck, could even be an oyster shucking knife, here's some that were made earlier (Romans ate tons of oysters ).

p.s.- I hate raw oysters! I hear though, that Letra 'C' stout goes good with them. even better without the oysters!

[Mel H]

Originally Posted by fernando

One possibility that i wouldn't reject ... at all, Richard.
The decoration, yes. What i don't find when i browse the Web on those, is a tool with a similar pattern.But still.

PS
Should i discard the blood letting (phlebotomy) scalpel/lancet ?


,

The wood handled implement in the photo is an antique ink eraser.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Mel H

The wood handled implement in the photo is an antique ink eraser.

You are right, Mell. This is not an uncommon confusion, one that i (now and then) fall into.