OT: Just what is this thing?

[Patentleathershoes]

Hi everybody,

I wouldn't normally ask about a hunk of wood here but i "don't know enough to know that i don't know what it is" and a lot of you have eclectic knowledge so thought i would take a shot.

I found it with a bunch of shoe related items - heel plates, a shoe stretcher, etc. But i don't think it has to do with shoes...or does it? It could have just been along for the ride

Guesses in my house have been that it is missing a hole drilled in the wider end and then you use it for rope on a ship (but its too small for that though i understand the line of thinking) not sure if the angle skews the fact that it is wider on one end than the other. small bit of patina like it was actually used for something but i know not what...

So if anyone has a room in the house, area of life, or industry or hobby that this would fit in with i could begin to think about what it might possibly be other than just another thing that could be used as a door stop or just another thing that doesn't get parted with because it must be useful to someone.

 

[worth-a-peek]

Looks kind of shoey to me

Jonathan will of course know

(kinda looks like a sleeve thing too)

 

[vintageclothesline]

Is it a stand for placing your shoes while you shine them?:D

 

[Patentleathershoes]

btw, its 12" long and about 2" thick or just shy of it if that makes a difference.

i was thinking maybe someone was just showing off that they could make a cut like that and they would be laughing that i thought it was "something"

 

[pastperfect2]

That sure looks like a tailors clapper. You use it when pressing and steaming to smack down on a pressed seam or edge to really set the crease. See this:

http://www.judisstudio.com.au/clapper.html

Hollis

 

[hipvintage]

It's a Medieval hairbrush.

Hi, Chris!!

Janine

 

[Jonathan]

YEAH HOLLIS!
I had NO idea what it was... I learned something!

 

[Patentleathershoes]

Thanks Hollis!

I sincerely thought it was nothing!
Good to know that it really is something.
It has some weight to it so maybe it also gives the tailor a little workout while they are at it.

back at you Janine.

 

[pastperfect2]

I was so excited that I knew one!

The slots on the sides are there so you can hold it with a little protection from the heat and steam.

Although I am liking the medieval hairbrush idea.

Hollis

 

[hatfeathers]

I was thinking it was something for a gal to put in her purse if she was going walking alone on a dark night. Swing that thing in a bag at someone and they'll leave you alone. Whack.

 

[BagDiva]

lovin the things we learn here!!

 

[Patentleathershoes]

hmm....might be handy.
i'd almost be afraid to get "wood patina" on the semi wet steamed clothes though.

 

[claireshaeffer]

Hollis is right--it is a clapper. This one is nice and I'm not sure they are made any longer You might check the June Tailor website for pressing tools. Claire