This stumped our experts, so we are counting on our readers to help us identify it. Do you know whatsit? Leave a comment below. If you have your own whatsit, our editors can include it in a future post. Please send an email to editor@kovels.com and attach a clear picture, the size and any markings. Hopefully, we will be able to identify it for our readers! 

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Kovels Item

116 responses to “Happy #whatsitwednesday!”

  1. EJC says:

    I concur with those that suggest socket chisel handle, though the “business” end doesn’t seem to have borne the brunt of mallet taps. It seems identical to those offered for sale and illustrated on various sites.

  2. EJC says:

    I concur with those that suggest socket chisel handle, though the “business” end doesn’t seem to have borne the brunt of mallet taps. It seems identical to those offered for sale and illustrated on various sites.

  3. Sami57 says:

    More photo’s at different angles would help. I have my Dad’s old turkey call that looks like this but without seeing the tip cannot tell from this one photo.

  4. Sami57 says:

    More photo’s at different angles would help. I have my Dad’s old turkey call that looks like this but without seeing the tip cannot tell from this one photo.

  5. MaryAnnTX says:

    What is this tool from last week?

  6. MaryAnnTX says:

    What is this tool from last week?

  7. MaryAnnTX says:

    I did NOT see the Kovel resolve to this tool, What is this tool?

  8. MaryAnnTX says:

    I did NOT see the Kovel resolve to this tool, What is this tool?

  9. MaryAnnTX says:

    SO, what is this tool? I could not find the Kovel answer.

  10. MaryAnnTX says:

    SO, what is this tool? I could not find the Kovel answer.

  11. Clownaround says:

    Leather punch

  12. Clownaround says:

    Leather punch

  13. Kraven says:

    Looks like an antique wood chisel handle…

    https://images.app.goo.gl/QjGSonDnHKNMaPU6A

  14. Kraven says:

    Looks like an antique wood chisel handle…

    https://images.app.goo.gl/QjGSonDnHKNMaPU6A

  15. Dv2852 says:

    It s an awl for braiding rope.

  16. Dv2852 says:

    It s an awl for braiding rope.

  17. reedkobergia says:

    It’s a burnisher, used in gold gilding.

  18. reedkobergia says:

    It’s a burnisher, used in gold gilding.

  19. IoanaK says:

    It’s a wooden peg.

  20. IoanaK says:

    It’s a wooden peg.

  21. VernVT says:

    If the tapered end is wood, it is a chisel handle and very similar to those used on Buck Brothers chisels. If it is metal, I have no logical explanation.

  22. VernVT says:

    If the tapered end is wood, it is a chisel handle and very similar to those used on Buck Brothers chisels. If it is metal, I have no logical explanation.

  23. Dionysus says:

    Sowing Seeds Dispenser

  24. Dionysus says:

    Sowing Seeds Dispenser

  25. Dionysus says:

    Sowing Seeds Dispenser.

  26. Dionysus says:

    Sowing Seeds Dispenser.

  27. zvicki says:

    Looks like a primitive wood and metal awl, for using on leather or sail cloth.

  28. zvicki says:

    Looks like a primitive wood and metal awl, for using on leather or sail cloth.

  29. artist123purple says:

    It is a bottle stop for perfume or some kind of oil.

  30. artist123purple says:

    It is a bottle stop for perfume or some kind of oil.

  31. artist123purple says:

    It is a bottle stop probably for some perfume or some kind of oil.

  32. artist123purple says:

    It is a bottle stop probably for some perfume or some kind of oil.

  33. EJC says:

    Awl for hand sewing grommets in sail or awning cloth.

  34. EJC says:

    Awl for hand sewing grommets in sail or awning cloth.

  35. mlj says:

    It could be an awl. Used to hammer nails flush with wood or etc finishing touch of no nail sticking up.

  36. mlj says:

    It could be an awl. Used to hammer nails flush with wood or etc finishing touch of no nail sticking up.

  37. RCHiller says:

    It’s a socket chisel handle missing the metal chisel

  38. RCHiller says:

    It’s a socket chisel handle missing the metal chisel

  39. RCHiller says:

    it’s a socket chisel handle

  40. RCHiller says:

    it’s a socket chisel handle

  41. cullible says:

    I found this photo showing a similar rope-splicing fid. It’s the closest image that I’ve found. I searched for tools in sail, lure, blacksmith, caning, garden, military, guns, leather and rope and general antique wooden hand tools. A dibbler is usually longer as are most fids but the photo attached shows a shorter one.

    http://www.greatplanestrading.com/SEPT13/SEPT13_091WB.jpg

  42. cullible says:

    I found this photo showing a similar rope-splicing fid. It’s the closest image that I’ve found. I searched for tools in sail, lure, blacksmith, caning, garden, military, guns, leather and rope and general antique wooden hand tools. A dibbler is usually longer as are most fids but the photo attached shows a shorter one.

    http://www.greatplanestrading.com/SEPT13/SEPT13_091WB.jpg

  43. Auntiedotes says:

    Looks like an old plumb bob

  44. Auntiedotes says:

    Looks like an old plumb bob

  45. skatyeight says:

    It looks like it could be some type of an awl…for soft material.

  46. skatyeight says:

    It looks like it could be some type of an awl…for soft material.

  47. dbarbagallo says:

    Chisel handle

  48. dbarbagallo says:

    Chisel handle

  49. dbarbagallo says:

    It’s a wooden handle for a metal chisel

  50. dbarbagallo says:

    It’s a wooden handle for a metal chisel

  51. Archaedigger says:

    Looks very much like a handle for wood chisels. A set of chisels has tapered sockets at the bottom. The handle is Force fitted into the socket and held by friction. A cost saving feature because you only need to supply one handle for six chisels. Also, since the handle gets whacked with a mallet, if you have a permanent handle manufactured on the chisel, if the handle splits, that chisel is now useless. Much more practical to have a replaceable handle.

  52. Archaedigger says:

    Looks very much like a handle for wood chisels. A set of chisels has tapered sockets at the bottom. The handle is Force fitted into the socket and held by friction. A cost saving feature because you only need to supply one handle for six chisels. Also, since the handle gets whacked with a mallet, if you have a permanent handle manufactured on the chisel, if the handle splits, that chisel is now useless. Much more practical to have a replaceable handle.

  53. 2parrotsandadog says:

    That was the first thing that popped into my head.

  54. 2parrotsandadog says:

    That was the first thing that popped into my head.

  55. ewenadamson says:

    What ever it is, it is late 19th or early 20th centuary army issue ‘something’. Opening button holes?
    OOOoor a wooden handled stone tool for burnishing, though quite what the army would be issuing these for I haven’t the faintist

  56. ewenadamson says:

    What ever it is, it is late 19th or early 20th centuary army issue ‘something’. Opening button holes?
    OOOoor a wooden handled stone tool for burnishing, though quite what the army would be issuing these for I haven’t the faintist

  57. MaryAnnTX says:

    For Starting bullets in the Mussel of a mussel loading equipment, followed by the ram rod.

  58. MaryAnnTX says:

    For Starting bullets in the Mussel of a mussel loading equipment, followed by the ram rod.

  59. EJC says:

    #6 is thinking about a fid, used in splicing laid (twisted vs braided) wire or fiber rope, but fids are typically long, pointed and narrowly tapered to separate the strands. I’m convinced this is half a grommet setting tool, the other part looking a bit like a donut. The two pieces of a brass grommet “sandwich” fabric (commonly sail cloth), and the spike is driven in the hole, rolling over the edge and securing the two halves. I have them in metal and wood.

  60. EJC says:

    #6 is thinking about a fid, used in splicing laid (twisted vs braided) wire or fiber rope, but fids are typically long, pointed and narrowly tapered to separate the strands. I’m convinced this is half a grommet setting tool, the other part looking a bit like a donut. The two pieces of a brass grommet “sandwich” fabric (commonly sail cloth), and the spike is driven in the hole, rolling over the edge and securing the two halves. I have them in metal and wood.

  61. oztreasure says:

    A leather work tool. A type of awl. Either the handle only or used as it is to expand the size of a hole punched through leather. See a similar modern version
    https://www.oaleathersupply.com/collections/c-s-osborne-tools

  62. oztreasure says:

    A leather work tool. A type of awl. Either the handle only or used as it is to expand the size of a hole punched through leather. See a similar modern version
    https://www.oaleathersupply.com/collections/c-s-osborne-tools

  63. mustangally says:

    I agree with #18. It looks like a tool to make holes in the ground for seeds.

  64. mustangally says:

    I agree with #18. It looks like a tool to make holes in the ground for seeds.

  65. stokely says:

    I agree with Zackydan, its used to burnish leather.

  66. stokely says:

    I agree with Zackydan, its used to burnish leather.

  67. KH57 says:

    Flint Knapping tool .

  68. KH57 says:

    Flint Knapping tool .

  69. heckadeal says:

    Looks like a grommet punch for threading canvas or sailcloth

  70. heckadeal says:

    Looks like a grommet punch for threading canvas or sailcloth

  71. rulamarr1960 says:

    I believe it’s a dibble for making holes for seed planting. It’s not sharp enough for leather work or small enough to be a spindle.

  72. rulamarr1960 says:

    I believe it’s a dibble for making holes for seed planting. It’s not sharp enough for leather work or small enough to be a spindle.

  73. wanderingcreek says:

    I think it has something to do with mending or knitting – possibly mending fishing nets or something similar. Without knowing the size, it’s very difficult to guess.

  74. wanderingcreek says:

    I think it has something to do with mending or knitting – possibly mending fishing nets or something similar. Without knowing the size, it’s very difficult to guess.

  75. CitySheila says:

    I’ve seen something similar used for seeding things like potato eyes. Settlers goods can be confusing!

  76. CitySheila says:

    I’ve seen something similar used for seeding things like potato eyes. Settlers goods can be confusing!

  77. CitySheila says:

    I’ve seen something similar for planting things like potato eyes.

  78. CitySheila says:

    I’ve seen something similar for planting things like potato eyes.

  79. leon says:

    used for shaping button holes

  80. leon says:

    used for shaping button holes

  81. PpE2t2 says:

    A Mandrel Rivet Tool? For setting rivets in material (canvas, sails)

  82. PpE2t2 says:

    A Mandrel Rivet Tool? For setting rivets in material (canvas, sails)

  83. jbland says:

    It”s a fly tying tool.

  84. jbland says:

    It”s a fly tying tool.

  85. jbland says:

    It’s a fly tying tool.

  86. jbland says:

    It’s a fly tying tool.

  87. clippertwo says:

    I think this is an awl! It is used to mark or put holes in leather or thin metals

  88. clippertwo says:

    I think this is an awl! It is used to mark or put holes in leather or thin metals

  89. Gregghalteman says:

    I believe this is a textile tool used for industrial weaving. In order to weave a bulb or rope inside a woven tube, the operator must be able to move the individual strands aside to reach inside the braider and position the core. The arrow and line carved into the handle tells the operator on which side he must enter the weave and which direction to push the individual fibers to allow access without breaking them. This is similar to a tool I used in the 1980’s while working a short stint as a braider operator making fiberglass oven door seals.
    That is my guess!

  90. Gregghalteman says:

    I believe this is a textile tool used for industrial weaving. In order to weave a bulb or rope inside a woven tube, the operator must be able to move the individual strands aside to reach inside the braider and position the core. The arrow and line carved into the handle tells the operator on which side he must enter the weave and which direction to push the individual fibers to allow access without breaking them. This is similar to a tool I used in the 1980’s while working a short stint as a braider operator making fiberglass oven door seals.
    That is my guess!

  91. Murl says:

    A vintage chair caning peg?

  92. Murl says:

    A vintage chair caning peg?

  93. Markgen says:

    I noticed what looked like a military mark on the handle (the arrow), so thought it maybe an implement used to pack gun powder into a gun cartridge.

  94. Markgen says:

    I noticed what looked like a military mark on the handle (the arrow), so thought it maybe an implement used to pack gun powder into a gun cartridge.

  95. dht1atbellatlanticnet says:

    While I don’t know its proper name, I believe this is a tool used in ropes and rope making. The blunt but cone-shaped end can be gradually forced into a knot, in order to begin loosening and undoing the knot. It can be also used in a similar manner to unravel the large strands of a rope.

  96. dht1atbellatlanticnet says:

    While I don’t know its proper name, I believe this is a tool used in ropes and rope making. The blunt but cone-shaped end can be gradually forced into a knot, in order to begin loosening and undoing the knot. It can be also used in a similar manner to unravel the large strands of a rope.

  97. Capebog says:

    Maybe for doing proddy wool work

  98. Capebog says:

    Maybe for doing proddy wool work

  99. EJC says:

    Looks like the “male” part of a grommet Setter

  100. EJC says:

    Looks like the “male” part of a grommet Setter

  101. Capebog says:

    Maybe a tool for doing proddy wool work

  102. Capebog says:

    Maybe a tool for doing proddy wool work

  103. timspassion says:

    A peg to place in the hole while caning a chair seat.

  104. timspassion says:

    A peg to place in the hole while caning a chair seat.

  105. flash472002 says:

    Maybe for widening holes in leather during the manufacturing process.

  106. flash472002 says:

    Maybe for widening holes in leather during the manufacturing process.

  107. patsyann45 says:

    It is a leather burnishing rod tool.

  108. patsyann45 says:

    It is a leather burnishing rod tool.

  109. horsjn says:

    Looks like a handle for a wood chisel before they came with plastic cast handles. I have several chisels with these handles in my workshop.

  110. horsjn says:

    Looks like a handle for a wood chisel before they came with plastic cast handles. I have several chisels with these handles in my workshop.

  111. OkiePoke says:

    Maybe a movable spindle for a spinning wheel.

  112. OkiePoke says:

    Maybe a movable spindle for a spinning wheel.

  113. paytonwalker says:

    a bottle stopper?

  114. paytonwalker says:

    a bottle stopper?

  115. Zackydan says:

    Used to emboss leather.

  116. Zackydan says:

    Used to emboss leather.

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