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a fid

ken werner

ken werner

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3,377
Location
Central NY State
So LOML is learning basketry, and there are a few tools specific to the craft, one of them being a fid. It's similar to an awl, but has a slightly blunt tip, and tapers flat on the sides, while swelling slightly on the rounded sides, so that one can insert it between slats, and turn 90 degrees to open a small space.

I started with some 3/16" steel rod, and shaped it with hammer, file and sandpaper. The handle is a pretty piece of curly maple rescued from our firewood pile. Brass ferrule from LV.

Overall length is about 6.5".

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And here I always thought a fid was a temper tantrum thrown by a brat with a cold. :p

Looks great, Ken. :thumb: You guys sure have some pretty firewood over on that side of the country.
 
Very neat Ken now you taught me the name of the item:thumb:
Obit one of these handed down from my dad from his navy days. They use a fix to splice ropes and cables as well as making fancy rope decorative knots like you find on a bell rope. Very useful tool, you done real good with this one:):thumb:
 
Rob Keeble said:
...one of these handed down from my dad from his navy days. They use a fix to splice ropes and cables as well as making fancy rope decorative knots like you find on a bell rope. Very useful tool, you done real good with this one:):thumb:
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Also known - in the Navy - as a Marlinspike. Used to separate the strands in a line (not a rope). Ropes are what cowboys use. :rofl::rofl:
 
Nice work. I have no metalworking skills at all....bummer for me. If I had only known.................sigh. Great job and +1 for "manning up" for the lil mrs.! :thumb::D
 
Thanks Michael, but I'm not sure I'd call what I did metalworking skill. I used a hammer to flatten a rod and then a file to taper it. Pretty rudimentary work. Unlike wood, you can make a piece of metal wider or longer.
 
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