Can anyone identify this tool?

1. 69

   Christoph Reillyposted 14 years ago

   This tool came into my possession over 10 years ago.  Over the years I have shown it to many "self proclaimed" tool experts and no one has been able to identify it. If you know (or have a guess, funny or otherwise) please identify this tool.
   
   Our own HubPages Tom Rubinoff, also a self-described tool expert thinks he may be able to do it.  Can you?
   
   Ok. The tool is approximately 6 inches long.  It is held open by a spring.  When you squeeze it, it closes about half-way, but will not close all the way, like you would expect from a wire stripping tool.
   
   
   
   This is the top side. Note the phillips screw head sticking out of the side (top of picture.)
   
   
   
   Here is the view of the bottom and the "teeth."
   
   
   
   Can you identify it?  I don't know either.

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      darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It's an accofranco!
      
      While considered rare you'll find that it's a tool that is quite prolific.

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         Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         LOL now the question is what is screw for in acco?

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            mandybeauposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Sorry, but I am sure that this tool, if only we knew what it was, would have some purpose, Possibly industrial, What purpose accofranco has, the mind boggles.
            Getting his grotty little paws on peoples information, seems to be my reasoning for his existence.

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            1. 69

               Christoph Reillyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Hi Mandybeau,  Actually, the mystery was solved by Rochelle Frank.  It is a pecan nut cracker.

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         Eric Graudinsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         You nearly made me spew scotch all over the keyboard of my laptop!

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2. 81

   Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

   LOL, CR! Ten years is a long time to be holding onto a tool you don't even know the name of!!! Have you used it for anything?
   
   This query reminds me of the segment on This Old House where one of the guys asks, "What is it?" and the others come up with humorous uses for odd-looking tools and devices.
   
   Being the major tool I am (or used to be in school -- not so much anymore), here's my submission:
   
   It's an alligator wrench.

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3. 71

   cindyvineposted 14 years ago

   Okay, that was designed by that Bobbitt woman, think it might have been in the nineties or was it the eighties, for use on cheating husbands.  This was after her foiled attempt to dis-member her husband failed when it was stitched back on.  You handcuff the man to the bed, sit astride him and gently ease his penis which is now flaccid with fear and thus easy to manoevre into the open bit where the teeth are.  The woman has to count slowly to ten to maximise the anguish the man is going through as he debates in his mind whether or not she will enforce the punishment.  Then, just before saying eleven, the woman clamps down hard on the little handle thinks and crimps the flaccid penis with the tool.  It's called a flaccid penis crimper and is available in most software shops.  The penis is not hard enough to find it in a hardware shop.

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4. 0

   C. C. Riterposted 14 years ago

   I am not sure, but it looks like a metalsmiths tool for crimping holes in tin. I'm sure I'm wrong tho'. Will need to investigate this one if Tom can't ID it. thanks for the puzzle Chris

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5. 71

   cindyvineposted 14 years ago

   Hey, you not talking to me today, CC?

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6. 0

   C. C. Riterposted 14 years ago

   Well, shut my mouth. hey there China Doll. how they hanging today? hehe

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7. 71

   cindyvineposted 14 years ago

   Hiya, cannot sit all day hubbing today.  Tomb Sweeping is over, my ayi is here cleaning up the disaster area, so I must get out.  Root canal at dentist then Doc's appointment in the afternoon.  Other than that, okay hahaha

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      LondonGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Doesn't sound nice, hope all goes as well as it can!

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8. 59

   laringoposted 14 years ago

   This tool is for pulling teeth when you've already reached your annual dental procedures allowed under your insurance plan.(Hey, don't laugh. It's possible.

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9. 71

   cindyvineposted 14 years ago

   ahhhhh Don't remind me, am going for the rest of my root canal with the local Chinese dentist!

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10. 78

    Sally's Troveposted 14 years ago

    Yep, MM, that's what it looks like.  It's used for gripping square headed bolts or fasteners.  If it did close all the way, it might have been that Bobbitt tool Cindyvine mentioned.

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11. 91

    Rochelle Frankposted 14 years ago

    I'm thinking it may be some kind of nutcracker. The set screw holds the nut in place, the blades pierce the shell without squishing the inner nutmeat. Maybe for Pecans?
    Maybe SinDevine was close.

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12. 84

    earnestshubposted 14 years ago

    I thought it might be a cable stripper, but if so it would need to be rotated to cut the outer cover.It looks too sharp to be a crimping tool, I have many tools, but this is not amongst them.
    My dear old dad would have known for sure.

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13. 88

    gamergirlposted 14 years ago

    You're all wrong.
    
    This tool is a replica of a much finer tool found in the White House and on the House and Senate floor, it's used to persuade objects of the wooden persuasion from the rear ends of politician's friends.

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14. 81

    Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

    I think, based on the shape of the teeth, this tool could also be used for removing square pegs from round holes!!

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15. 71

    cindyvineposted 14 years ago

    I like that MM!  Could also be used in the white house for removing cigars

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16. 86

    Zsuzsy Beeposted 14 years ago

    Out of the way people, push over, You guys are all wrong, this is easy those are thin-ing shears for the extra thick haired.You the Sasquash and Yeti...

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    1. 91

       Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Hmm... maybe. Possibly, you don't see many of these because it's so hard to get Sashquasches and Yetis to hold still for the procedure.

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    cindyvineposted 14 years ago

    Maybe it's a castration tool for racehorse breeders?

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    1. 91

       Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I'm still thinking pecans.

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18. 71

    cindyvineposted 14 years ago

    Thanks Londongirl, am not looking forward to the injection at all.  I HATE THE DENTIST!  Especially when they don't speak English!

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19. 81

    Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

    Hmm. Cindy's root canal brings to mind another possible use for this tool. It's a tooth extractor for sharks.

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20. 69

    Christoph Reillyposted 14 years ago

    Ha, ha.  I don't think anyone has it yet.  Mighty Mom, you had me going for a minute with Alligator wrench.  There is such a thing, but I saw a picture and it is nothing like this.  In answer to your question, I am holding on to it because I am a pack rat and not knowing what it is makes me hold onto it tighter.  I have used it to loosen very tight bottle caps, but this is clearly not it's purpose.
    
    I hope to god that Cindyvine is not correct, and I hope I never piss her off. Remember, the teeth do not actually ever close all the way. They do not come into contact with each other. As tight as it can be squeezed, it still is only about half-way towards being fully closed, so you would not detach the penis but would leave some nasty teeth marks!  Ouch!

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    1. 91

       Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I still think you have not considered my sssuggestion ssseriously.

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21. 82

    JamaGeneeposted 14 years ago

    So if ya ever do find out, you'll let us know???  Or maybe write a hub about it?????????  ;D

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22. 75

    AEvansposted 14 years ago

    mmmmmm..... maybe it is used for pulling the sheathing back on electrical wiring???? are the spaces different sizes??? Or it is one of those tools that everyone used in the 80's to zip up there zipper after they jumped into those pants...lololololl:D

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    1. 61

       The Captainposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks, AE.  Nope. Not a wire stripper. The teeth don't come close enough together for that, and as close as you can get them together, they still are in the shape of a V.  The 80's zipper thing is a possibility!  hahahahh
       
       And yes, JamaGenee.  I will tell you what it is!
       
       Whoops.  Wrong avatar!  Ha!

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       1. 82

          JamaGeneeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Plenty of places you can go for help for that dual personality...uh, avatar issue. Or just stay here at HP with the rest of us who like you no matter which avatar you use! 

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23. 0

    C. C. Riterposted 14 years ago

    It's a castration tool for pigs

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24. 86

    Zsuzsy Beeposted 14 years ago

    It looks as if there is a slight curve in the teeth so it must close over something kind of oval...

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25. 56

    my-success-guruposted 14 years ago

    No I can't identify it but it looks like it would really hurt if it clamped down on you. LOL

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26. 78

    Sally's Troveposted 14 years ago

    Christoph, you must have known where this would go.

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27. 77

    spryteposted 14 years ago

    Hmmm....it's some sorta wood shaving/shaping tool mebbe?
    
    Obviously you can replace those toothy blades since they are screwed on.  It doesn't close all the way...so it's not a crimper.  Only thing I can think of it's a groover....

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28. 86

    Zsuzsy Beeposted 14 years ago

    How about the pliers that they use to trim off the horns of goats and sheep?

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29. 60

    Cris Aposted 14 years ago

    Oh let's be done with this and call it CT - Christoph's Tool! Though I must admit I don't think I can say "hand me over CT!"

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30. 92

    Tom Rubenoffposted 14 years ago

    I am stumped.  I have seen a lot of strange pliers in my time - leather working pliers, tongs, what have you - but nothing like this that I recall. 
    
    It is made to hold and perforate, it looks like.  The removeable blades act like a shelf to hold an object still so that it can be worked on, but these same blades have beveled edges that indicate to me they would be used to cut. 
    
    I believe they were designed to be used on some kind of leather or fabric.  They do not appear so sturdy as to be used for metal working, although they have a kind of similar structure to some blacksmith tongs.

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31. 56

    my-success-guruposted 14 years ago

    No still can't but I'll keep trying

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32. 69

    Christoph Reillyposted 14 years ago

    Rochelle:  Yeah..about the pecan thing. I spent an hour trying to screw the pecan into the thing and just can't get it.
    
    Hi Spryte: I just looked a a lot of different type of groovers. It doesn't resemble any that I saw, but there were lots of different kinds, so ????
    
    Thanks JamaGenee. You are too kind!

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33. 82

    JamaGeneeposted 14 years ago

    Could just email the pics to the guys at This Old House!  Bet they'd know.

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    1. 69

       Christoph Reillyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I have considered that, but they might want the thing to put it on their show!  I would have to part with...THE THING!

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34. 69

    Christoph Reillyposted 14 years ago

    Well, if Tom Rubenoff doesn't know....
    
    If it is wood working, maybe RMR knows. He is quite an accomplished leather worker. Wrote a hub about it.
    
    Thanks Cris. Christoph's Tool as a certain ring to it.
    
    Success guru: Thanks for trying.

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       my-success-guruposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Call Tim The Tool Man, or maybe his neighbor behind the fence. Tim knows tools and the other guy hmmm (tell me his name again) seems to have all the answers. LOL

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       Cris Aposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Now I'm bothered. Christoph's Tool has a ring to it? A ring?!

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35. 91

    Rochelle Frankposted 14 years ago

    I found it!
    Nobody paid any attention to me-- but I guessed and then found this:
    http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= … G%26um%3D1
    
    and:
    http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= … rt=10&
    um=1&tbnid=avM-GHf0RxllBM:&tbnh=60&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnut%2Bpliers%2Bpecan%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26um%3D1

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36. 91

    Rochelle Frankposted 14 years ago

    I found more--
    
    http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= … G%26um%3D1
    
    "The patented Texan "York" Nut Sheller operates by means of a pliers-type handle, with sharp teeth to bite off the ends and sides of the nut, producing perfect halves.  A shield directs the falling hulls into a container, keeping your countertop tidy.  In addition to being a pecan cracker, it works on Brazil Nuts, English Walnuts, Filberts, Almonds and other nuts.   You can also remove the shield and use it on lobster and crab claws.
    
    The ideal gift for someone who has everything!"
    
    http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= … 0%26um%3D1

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    Mishaposted 14 years ago

    Wow Rochelle, I think you just earned the title of Tool Queen!

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    1. 91

       Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I just love to google....
       after looking at the thing that 'didn't close completely" i had to guess that it was designed for cracking a shell without damaging the innards-- that's why the castration theory didn't hold up for me.
       
       Actually I think the quote I posted applied to another similar gizmo-- but the other photo does look quite similar.

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          C. C. Riterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Well, i was close on the pig nut cracker. haha good job girl

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38. 82

    JamaGeneeposted 14 years ago

    WOOHOO Rochelle!  You're GOOD!!  Applause, applause!!

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39. 79

    mayhmongposted 14 years ago

    Its a dinglehopper!
    
    Everyone already took my answer?!

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40. 69

    Christoph Reillyposted 14 years ago

    I bow to you, Rochelle. Unbelievable. We used to bring home big bags of pecans when I was a kid. Never saw a cracker that looked like this though.  Well done!
    
    Pecan party at my house!

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41. 82

    Jewelsposted 14 years ago

    Rochelle must win a group hug for that effort.  Mwah mwah.

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42. 81

    LondonGirlposted 14 years ago

    As any idiot could tell you, it's a thingamejig. Also known as a whatjacallit.

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43. 86

    Zsuzsy Beeposted 14 years ago

    WOOOOHOOO Rochelle saves the day.Rochelle the queen of tools. Has a nice ring to it.. or does it?
    To be honest I liked my thinning hair cutting scissors for the Yeti better but I guess everyone seem to like your theory better (we won't consider the picture evidence)
    
    This was fun. Anyone else have other unidentified object?

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       Eric Graudinsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I've got something that will keep you non-Aussies guessing!
       I'll drag it out of storage tomorrow and post a pic.

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    waynetposted 14 years ago

    It's a pubic hair tong, gets them curlies even curlier!!

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    Florida Keysposted 14 years ago

    Nah it's a noodle maker for making large spaghetti noodles....impressive Rochelle...but it was a lot more fun to speculate before you solved the mystery.  LOL

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