What is this wooden tool?

I believe it's maple, around 18". I would imagine for sewing,knitting,crocheting, etc.

 

Maybe some kind of an awl..?
Or a dibble..?

 

It's a marlin spike.

 

Who knows? Just a guess..............."Garden Dibber" for planting seeds?

 

I was going on the markings on the tool for depth gauges. Usually Marlin spikes are metal.

 

They were wood for hundreds of years.

 

I think Holly is right.
Marlin Spike (or fid)

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/76161

 

Sorry, Go figure, I used my Marlin Spike for gardening - LOL!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yes, I think Holly is correct, found some very similar images listed online as marlin spikes. Every time I find an old interesting piece of wood, I buy it. Then learn later about its utility. From what i've read they are used in tying knots for sailing, used to unthread knots, basically a sailor's tool. Thanks yall!

 

Interesting:


"What is the difference between a FID and a marlin spike"


The distinction between fid and marlinspike is a little fuzzy. Essentially the fid, typically made of a natural material, is employed when working with fibrous ropes and lines. The marlinspike, typically made of steel, is employed when working with wire cables. ... It was used to separate the strands of rope for splicing.

 

Wow this one is 35 inches long.


https://www.etsy.com/listing/521090...how_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details

 

Yeah - but that was for the BAD pirates - "OUCH" LOL!

 

Fid is a member....
marlin spike has yet to join...

 

OH I'm either going to Hell or getting banned - "But" he seems happy.......

Sorry - I chickened out -

 

Ah.... the fid, I did wonder. Useful info, thanks Rayo.

 

In basketry, another distinction between a marlin spike (or bodkin) and a fid - a spike/bodkin is just a solid, tapered, pointy thing. You push it into the rope (or between basketry rods or bundles) to create an opening, remove it, and put another strand through the opening before it closes. (You can also shove the bodkin to the side to try to hold the space open.) A fid has a groove, so that you can push it into place, and it maintains the opening while you thread another element through the groove. Then you pull the fid out. The terminology seems variable, and perhaps craft-specific. An awl is a smaller version of the basic spike/bodkin, but because of the smaller point it needs a larger handle to fit in the hand.

A fid:

 

Those are a bunch of Odd Bodkins ! ( Not often you can use that in proper context these days !)

 

"Odds bodkins" is an expression meaning God's body. Whoda thunkit?

 

Splicing 20" hemp cable:

 

That rope is humongous!