A Weird What’s That
contests December 29th, 2009Today I have a weird What’s That item for you to chew on. It’s on loan from my brother-in-law. He doesn’t use it. He got it from a store that was going out of business. The proprietors had it hanging on a wall for decoration.
The object is very heavy and I almost chipped a tooth on it during Christmas dinner. I jokingly held it up to my mouth as though it were some kind of medieval dental device and whacked myself in the teeth. I dumb.
How to play:
Simple. First person to guess this object wins a Junk Drawer magnet and a mystery prize involving eyeballs.
What the heck is this? And lookie here. I’m even showing you scale.
This is the object fully opened.
Fully closed.
This is the business end up close.
Stumble it!
December 29th, 2009 at 11:09 am
I use to use something like this to repair grommets…but I don’t think that’s what it was ment for…it just fit the need. How did the shop people have it hanging? I couldn’t imagine a way for it to be secure on a wall
December 29th, 2009 at 11:41 am
You’re killing us with these, you know. Just killing us.
I have no idea what it is, but I’d guess it’s used to stretch leather into the shape of that little ball thingie? Maybe to shape the toe end of a shoe?
*shrugs* You got me.
Jodith´s last blog ..Year End Retrospective
December 29th, 2009 at 11:46 am
As the PRIZE includes something to do with EYEBALLS, I guess it’s a medieval torture device for prizing eyeballs out. It may not be right, but clever eh? Oh well, maybe not that clever.
babs – beetle´s last blog ..I just HAD to post one.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:52 am
It is a castrator. I think for pigs.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:56 am
It’s a torture device of some kind. I’m guessing for kittens. I’ll take four.
JD at I Do Things´s last blog ..I Wish You a JD Christmas so you don’t have to
December 29th, 2009 at 11:57 am
I can’t guess because I won the last one (I started typing “won” instead of “one” – I’m still that excited that I won one – HA!)
Grace´s last blog ..Cocoa Spice Snack Cake
December 29th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Hey Grace! If you know what it is, tell me
I’ll share my mystery eyeball prize with you!
I guess that wouldn’t be fair. I’ll come back later and give it a try.
Cats~Goats~Quotes´s last blog ..Toesday Tuesday ~ Malachi
December 29th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
A horse twitch? No? How about a blacksmith’s tool?
MadMadMargo´s last blog ..The Fractured ABC’s Of Christmas – Z
December 29th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
I don’t know what it is but I’m sure it involves a horse. Positive, in fact.
Tracy´s last blog ..My personal policy on…
December 29th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I think it is a leather craft tool.
Brenda @ Split Rock Ranch´s last blog ..Have yourself a very Merry Christmas
December 29th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I’ve actually seen that item somewhere recently – it was driving me crazy that I couldn’t remember what it is – finally light dawned. Think, folks, think!
Grace´s last blog ..Cocoa Spice Snack Cake
December 29th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
It’s a rivet-smashing thing. Smashes the rivets down.
It’s a dent-popper for an auto-body shop.
It’s a heck if I know. At least you didn’t just post the business end picture this time. I know you wanted to.
Rufus Opus´s last blog ..Salvaged!
December 29th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I had this immediate and overwhelming sense that this has something to do with making eyelet holes or inserting grommets into the heavy fabric used for sailcloth.
Rob O.´s last blog ..iTunes Hero
December 29th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Looks like a cherry pitter to me. If its not a cherry pitter, cherry pitters look a lot like that, except not so torture-devicey.
Shieldmaiden1196´s last blog ..Mom-Mom’s House
December 29th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I think it’s a pants peer…I totally peed my pants when I saw this wicked device! Scary!
Jocelyn´s last blog ..Infidelity
December 29th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
ouchie – that must have hurt! Keep that big ugly thing away from my teeth…. Really, have no earthly idea.
Diane´s last blog ..Wintry white Christmas
December 29th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
My hubby says it is a leather punch maybe.
Jessica´s last blog ..Smithsonian Natural History Museum
December 29th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I don’t know, but it’s precisely the sort of thing my dad likes to find for cheap at yard sales because he doesn’t know what it is and can research it.
Then he’ll go out to dinner and show the waitress and ask her, “What do YOU think this is?”
Actually, I’m sorta glad it’s safely with you and your brother-in-law.
Jenn of Many Cabbages´s last blog ..Weather or Not
December 29th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I know exactly what it is! It’s a ballpoint pen! Next to a piece of metal for scale.
Daisy´s last blog ..I Can Has YouTube?
December 29th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I was suddenly reminded of the old column in Yankee Magazine called “What’s That?” It was always stuff like this. Old Earl Proulx would have known what that was, and probably had two of them himself.
Shieldmaiden1196´s last blog ..Mom-Mom’s House
December 29th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Crap, I don’t know. Will you quit doing this because it drives me nuts until I read the answer!
Lin´s last blog ..Thoughts on a Winter’s Day
December 29th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I’m such a little boy on this one, but I’m going to say it’s a sex education school, as in, “And this, little Johnny, goes in here. And then you have a baby!”
I know. Lame. But boys will be boys.
Margaret (Nanny Goats)´s last blog ..New Year’s Resolutions for 2010 (and not just mine)
December 29th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Oops. I meant to say it’s a sex education tool. And speaking of tools: Hello! *waves*
Margaret (Nanny Goats)´s last blog ..New Year’s Resolutions for 2010 (and not just mine)
December 29th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Oops, I just realized you have one of those fancy schmancy commenting systems where I could have totally corrected my first comment, but now I feel like I’m on a roll here so I can’t. But I will remember it next time so I don’t clog up your system with my inane words. Okay, bye!
Margaret (Nanny Goats)´s last blog ..New Year’s Resolutions for 2010 (and not just mine)
December 29th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Oh golly…it looks a lot like a leather punch, but not so punchy (grandpa has an old one, but the punch part isn’t round) so it’s probably not that.
I am really curious to find out what it really is.
megscole64´s last blog ..Where’s All This Transparency He Promised?
December 29th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Oh my cod, Daisy the curly cat got it, she’s so brilliant!
cat lady diary´s last blog ..I See You Mom…
December 29th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Torture! Torture! Why do so many of these things look like implements of torture?
CatLadyLarew´s last blog ..The "This Time I Really Mean It!" Campaign
December 29th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
LOL @ Daisy! Now I’m laughing so hard I can’t think of what I was going to write! bwahahahahaha!
Barb – WillThink4Wine´s last blog ..Out Foxed
December 29th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
EVERYONE — One of you is in the ballpark. Very much in the ballpark. But you have to read all the comments and then figure out which one is close, then go a little further. It has an extremely specific purpose.
daughterbonnie — I don’t know how it was hanging. Maybe placed on a series of nails. It had to be sturdy. If this thing fell on your head, you’d be dead.
Jodith — You’re a good guesser.
Babs Beetle — Dave laughed at your comment. Yes, it could definitely pry your eyes out. What a mess you’d have, though.
Michele — OMG. Um. Possibly? Anyone here work on a farm who can verify that?
JD at I Do Things — Ha! You kill me.
Grace — You make me laugh. You should be so proud that you won won!
Cats Goats Quotes — No cheating!
MadMadMargo — I had to look up what a twitch was. No. It does look like a blacksmith’s tool, doesn’t it?
Tracy — I have a reader who rides. If it was for a horse, she’d know for sure.
Brenda at Split Rock — In a way.
Grace — Really?
Rufus Opus — Both great answers. Yeah, and my sister chastised me because she thought I was only going to show a little bit of it. See how generous I was this time?
Rob O — Totally plausible. But no.
Shieldmaiden — Thanks for clearing that up.
Jocelyn — A what?
Diane — It scared me half to death. Do you know how easy it would have been for me to be toothless on Christmas?
Jessica — Sort of. Maybe.
Jenn of Many Cabbages — That’s awesome. I’m sure you’re tired of him asking you what his finds are for. I love his sense of adventure!
Daisy — You are so funny, my four legged friend! But no.
Shieldmaiden — That’s so cool! I just love this idea. Now I want to go hunting for old copies of Yankee Magazine.
Lin — You know you love it.
Nanny Goats — You kill me. And I knew what you meant. Didn’t even notice. So you could have saved yourself two extra comments!
megscole64 — You’re right. I guess a punch would be sharp. You’ll find out what it is in a day or so.
cat lady diary — Isn’t she?! Funny AND smart!
CatLadyLarew — I know! It still looks like a scary tooth extraction device. For death row inmates.
Barb WillThink4Wine — Daisy rocks!
December 29th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I love Daisy.
It looks like what we use to erm, fix the boy kids. heh heh.
I will have to go back and read the comments though
Pricilla´s last blog ..Playtime for Matthew and Jillian
December 29th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I’m going to go with maxi-skirt.
Suzy´s last blog ..I’m A Horrible Person
December 29th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
It’s a bunion stretcher! You use it to stretch a specific spot on your shoe so it relieves the pressure on your bunion.
Surfie´s last blog ..I Can Tie My Shoes!
December 29th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I’m gonna go with daisy on this one. The pen is totally the correct answer, people! *LOL*
Happy New year.
CrAzY Working Mom´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Becca!
December 29th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Daisy has got to be the smartest cat around.
I already know what it is, so I can’t say anything.
December 29th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
But Kathy, I meant to say for a medieval horse. Does this person know EVERYTHING about medieval horses? No, I didn’t think so. You know, the ones that dress to match their owners, like so: http://www.aceros-de-hispania.com/image/medieval-armors/horse-armor.jpg
I am pretty sure this has something to do with that, even if we use it for something completely different today. Things evolve, you know?
Tracy´s last blog ..My personal policy on…
December 29th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Whatever it is, it’s scaring me! And since most of you guys haven’t seen it before, it’s probably one of those things which have an Indian equivalent but does not exist in India.
Creepy. Take it away!
Fifthmarch´s last blog ..A song in my head
December 29th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Yes, it is a bunion stretcher, I have one at home that I use to stretch my skate boots in the spots where I have bunions. Works quite well!
Rebecca´s last blog ..Cats Can Get The Flu
December 29th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
It’s a leather thingamabob. Um, yes– a leather punching whosawhatsy.
OH NOES! Daisy guessed it already!! I will never win one of these, *grumble grumble*
Crabby Blogging Lady´s last blog ..Top Reasons Why You Should Shave Your Legs Even Tho It’s Winter
December 29th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
A metal former?
MadMadMargo´s last blog ..The Fractured ABC’s Of Christmas – Z
December 29th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I know what it is (specifically) but I won’t tell. Mind you the eyeball prize is intriguing me
babs – beetle´s last blog ..Now I see it!
December 29th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
A nose piercing tool for a bull!!!
I will not sleep tonight for thinking about this…..
MadMadMargo´s last blog ..The Fractured ABC’s Of Christmas – Z
December 29th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Kathy: Yes, but not in real life – a picture while I was doing some research …
Grace´s last blog ..Cocoa Spice Snack Cake
December 29th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
WOW…I have no earthly idea what this could be!?!?
However, when I read JD’s comment I HOWLED!!
OMG…that was HYSTERICAL!!!
Ron´s last blog ..Hey, look…my new commenting system!
December 30th, 2009 at 2:07 am
I wonder, would somebody really want to take credit for inventing something so dysmorphic? “I’d like to patent this device that is so obscure that it is of no use to the person for whom it’s intended.” Huh.
troi´s last blog ..It Sure Has Been Fine in 2009!
December 30th, 2009 at 5:44 am
I too think this is a leather working tool. Specifically would have been used by a cobbler… shoe button pliers? It’s about the closest thing I’ve seen via Googling…
Elisha´s last blog ..Notice how anything financial seems very dour?
December 30th, 2009 at 6:25 am
My husband and I both give up!
December 30th, 2009 at 9:31 am
All I can think of is the movie, “Dead Ringers,” so I’m too freaked out to guess. Eeekers.
earthtoholly´s last blog ..Do You Know Where Your Cows Are?
December 30th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
hey Kathy,
My first thought when I saw it was it had something to do with horses… Based on your response above that one person is very very close, I should probably reread the comments and do some internet searching…
But I’ll just say the it is apparently a very good wall decoration and conversation piece.
Steve, the puzzled trade show guru
PS. Love the “what’s this” posts!
steve, trade show guru´s last blog ..Are Trade Shows Obsolete?
December 30th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Now we have a large, bench mounted one, but years ago we used one of these, although with a much larger ball. The purpose was to stretch out the leather of our hockey skates at the spot where the bone of our ankle contacted the side of the skate. Because yours is so much smaller, I can’t imagine it is for the same purpose, but except for scale, it is almost identical.
Will´s last blog ..Wishing All a Wonderful Christmas!
December 30th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Goodness, I have NO IDEA what that could possibly be, but I liked someone else’s guess about it being used for stretching leather. Or a Mid-evil torturing device!
meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Happy New Year
December 30th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
It looks like an antique grommet setter.
with a pen next to it
RE – A BadGalSays´s last blog ..Happy New Year – See You in 2010 without H1N1
December 30th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
a shoe buttoner…for old timey shoes that had buttons and gromets. my mom used go tell me about her shoes that had these buttons. yes, i am old, and my mom was 42 when i was born…that means she wore these shoes in the early 1920’s!
puglette´s last blog ..Ho Ho Ho!!
December 31st, 2009 at 5:03 pm
This doesn’t seem quite right, but I found this item and it says a boot stretcher……is that it?
Michele´s last blog ..What’s Your New Year’s Resolution?