One unique piece What is it????

[raincrowe]

I know this is a little off the beaten path but here is a piece that I have owned since I was young....
It had been lost for a while but recently I discovered it again I asked several people about it...but no one could tell me what it was used for!!
I have look on the internet but found nothing I hope someone can enlighten me!!
The piece is extremely well made etched on one side and smooth on the other pointed on each end and about 9 inches long
Not sure what material it's made from... handmade or machine-made what function it was used for
Need help with this one
Thanks in advance

[herbva]

Just a wild guess - something to do with knitting, maybe?

[btrwtr]

A believe it is a natural sharpening stone for scythes and sickles. I remember seeing similar pieces on my grandparents farm.

[Beavertail]

A believe it is a natural sharpening stone for scythes and sickles. I remember seeing similar pieces on my grandparents farm.

Yep, I believe that's what it is.

[marinaio61]

I don't think it has anything to do with sharpening. Based on the material appearance (some form of fiber), size and shape I think it's for turning stitched points like collars during clothing manufacture.

[doglegg]

I've seen pieces like that used around a loom.

[btrwtr]

Check out this link.

https://thescytheman.com/2015/04/07/sharpening-stones/

[marinaio61]

Well btrwtr those are pretty compelling images. If that is a sythe stone it's the most fine grit I've ever seen.

[btrwtr]

Well btrwtr those are pretty compelling images. If that is a sythe stone it's the most fine grit I've ever seen.

I believe it is not a coarse furnace made stone but a natural stone which would explain the fine grain.

[raincrowe]

Wow...Thanks for all the information...The piece seems to have the shape of the sharping stones...Could the material be made from slate?
What is the purpose of the intricate diamond etching on the one side?
If you look at the pattern thru the loop it's small and precise!!

[raincrowe]

I've seen pieces like that used around a loom.

I've never seen a loom or been around one.... How would one use this tool?

[raincrowe]

Check out this link.

https://thescytheman.com/2015/04/07/sharpening-stones/

I just been reading your information on the scythe man great stuff...
On the scythe's and I own at least one.... but haven't seen anyone use it... at least for any length of time
My mother talked about her grandfather using one with a cradle to harvest wheat...never seen one
Thanks again great education!!

[doglegg]

I've seen pieces like that used around a loom.

I've never seen a loom or been around one.... How would one use this tool?

I've seen an object shaped like that used in separating the vertical thread to insert the pattern thread on the horizonal plane. I'm not a weaver either so hard to explain. But having looked up pics I see that they have a space in the middle for thread. A shuttlecock.

[C-WADE7]

If for a loom I wouldn’t expect any texture on the surface, it would have to pull through without snagging.

[doglegg]

If for a loom I wouldn’t expect any texture on the surface, it would have to pull through without snagging.

Good point.

[Madmarco]

In the movie "Wanted" with Angie Jolie and Jim McAvoy they show something very similar running back and forth through a weaving loom, and I do believe they referred to it as a "shuttlecock"! Perhaps the smooth side sits on the up side in order to not snag the thread, and the xxxxx side would go on the down side, perhaps for traction! !

[btrwtr]

Shuttlecock images.

https://www.google.com/search?q=shuttle ... =937&dpr=1

[Madmarco]

Shuttlecock images.

https://www.google.com/search?q=shuttle ... =937&dpr=1

Well, those images certainly dispel the shuttlecock theory! Your images of a sharpening stone are far closer to what's in the OP!