What would this be ?

fernando · 2nd October 2016, 09:22 PM

An idiomatic expression i was not familiar with; no strict equivalent in my lingo. Is it close from baffled ?

. Then we could use 'desconcertado' (disconcerted).

.

Ian · 3rd October 2016, 05:37 AM

Perhaps a sailor's fid that is used when splicing rope. Interesting piece and seems to have some age. Here's a picture from google but I cannot access the web page that it is taken from. It shows various splicing tools. There are three different fids --the middle one is multifaceted and has grooved edges (can't really see how many sides it has--maybe three).

Ian.

.

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.

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.

.

2nd October 2016, 09:22 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	An idiomatic expression i was not familiar with; no strict equivalent in my lingo. Is it close from baffled ? . Then we could use 'desconcertado' (disconcerted). . Attached Images

3rd October 2016, 05:37 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,470	Perhaps a sailor's fid that is used when splicing rope. Interesting piece and seems to have some age. Here's a picture from google but I cannot access the web page that it is taken from. It shows various splicing tools. There are three different fids --the middle one is multifaceted and has grooved edges (can't really see how many sides it has--maybe three). Ian. . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 3rd October 2016 at 05:48 AM.

5th October 2016, 02:25 PM	#10
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.

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3rd October 2016, 07:03 PM	#3
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	#4
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	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,365	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	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,365	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.