Adam Savage's Mystery Tool Mailbag

Tested viewer Victor sent Adam this interesting hand tool he found while holiday shopping late last year, and Adam attempts to deciper its original purpose. Any guesses as to what it is and how it operates? Let's see if Adam's deduction is close to being correct!
Shot by Adam Savage
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Thanks for watching!

[@SelahPictures]

This is a manual tufting tool! for repairing tufted rugs.

[@hannayoung9657]

Yes! I used one at school to learn how to repair carpets!

[@johnhunt1725]

What in the blazes is tufting a tufted rug?

[@1BigBen]

nice My first thought was a some type of leather lacing tool

[@nate998877]

@@alexhuxley3355 Google, this is correct.

[@BlackRaven-w4e]

With the needle broken...

[@reneedla]

With the Canadian and US patent it is most likely a Garrett Bluenose rug hooking tool. It has an interesting history. I have a couple as well as a book of historical patterns put out by the Canadian Museum of history.

[@drmaudio]

Great Britten patent as well "Gt Brit." I think you are exactly right.

[@Falcrist]

You (and a few others) definitely got it. A google search shows a million pictures of exactly this tool.

[@bzqp2]

Wow. That one is vintage! Patented in 1926, the carton box it came with also looks amazing! "The Simplest and Quickest Method of Making Hooked Yarn Rugs. A child can use it."

[@perry92964]

you nailed it and $2.00 was a bargain cause i saw one on etsy for 28 bucks

[@elvinhaak]

My thoughts too ;-)

[@rupertmiller9690]

Helped an elderly friend move into a retirement home recently. He gifted me the contents of his tool shed. Still finding tools I've never seen before. It's an awesome adventure picking through it all.

[@Glaaki13]

yes there are some weird tools out there

[@JeremyCoolDude]

gosh, I remember being young and going through my grandpa's little cardboard box full of old tools, mystified by them. Of course into the teen years I grew disinterested with history, family etc etc, and now that I'm almost 30 I wish I had a time machine to go back and marvel at all of these forgotten tools, inventions and stories.

[@Weezlenut]

My mom would be happier with that gift than winning the lottery. I'm completely serious. She grew up spending as much time in my grandfathers shop in the basement as he would let her. Whenever she was headed to pick up something from the hardware store it was a minimum 2 hour trip for her because she just wanders the aisles. Gotta say, I'm a little envious myself.

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

Thats an easy one its an 1800 gynaecological tool i have one in my bag!

[@justincollins4428]

Rupertmiller9690 talking about old tools you’ve never seen before when I was 15 I went my dad to an auto parts store that sold A wide variety of mechanics tools More so than AutoZone or advance auto parts Because he had this one tool that he wanted to get a second one out of keeping his other truck and it’s called a voltage regulator bypass the funny thing is when he told the guys the name of the tool he wanted to buy they all looked at him like he was crazy because none of them had ever even heard of it and he’s all night and all these little young guys I don’t know anything this guys were at least in their 40s but I had never even heard of it before and even when my dad went outside to his truck to get the tool that he was talking about and showed it to him they still didn’t know what it was and the whole time I’m standing there looking at the expression on their faces trying my hardest not to laugh at them

[@jhazardiii]

I am impressed by how many viewers recognized this tool. I am far more excited to learn so many of Adam's followers are the sort that know and have experience with this niche tool.

[@tested]

Right?!

[@Patryn71]

With 6.5 MILLION people subbed to the channel, and god knows how many more watchers that aren't, there is bound to be someone that will recognize almost anything that shows up. Perfect example of the power of social networking in todays world.

[@-MrFozzy-]

185k views….total. 6.5 million has very little to do with it.

[@TerryFying-]

I didnt even look at the comments to find out what it was I took a photo of it on my phone and used google lens magic to find the answer.

[@ryanbreed1541]

KZbin Shorts algorithm was big on rug tufters for a while because it is very satisfying to watch.

[@StinkieManCheese]

I know you get tons of comments, but I felt proud and wanted to share. My dad passed away about 7 years ago and I inherited an entire workshop full of tools. The standard things like a table saw and compound miter saws to mechanic tools to concrete finishing tools to electrical and plumbing specific tools. It has been incredibly hard going through everything because I can see my dad using them to build or do repairs but year over year I spend time going through and organizing things with all the tools I have and consolidating. I watch your videos and you say something sometimes which is to the effect of "trying / doing new things is scary". I 110% agree with this sentiment. Failing is difficult and sometimes costly, and nobody likes to fail, BUT that's how you grow and learn! Well, I had to rethread a nut so it would fit a specific bolt into it and save me the hour drive it takes to goto the hardware store. I have never tapped or rethreaded anything before in my life but didn't let that stop me from reading how to do it, learning how to measure the threads, and then learning how to start and go through the threading process. Once I was finished, I confirmed the bolt fit the nut and threw my hands up in the air in success! When I looked down and saw the tool I was using, I realized I was using my dad's old tap and die set. It made me tear up, because I was doing EXACTLY something he had used hundreds and hundreds of times... Like I could feel him there feeling proud that I was doing it myself and I could feel him patting me on the back and encouraging me. Just wanted to share that and say thank you for helping me build up the courage to do something I've never done before. It helped me feel the love and memories of my dad and really does have me inspired to take risks, take a chance on doing something I've never done before because that's something that helps me celebrate his life.

[@stormraven4183]

@StinkieManCheese, I know how you feel. My dad passed earlier this year. I claimed his favorite hammer ❤

[@DUKE_of_RAMBLE]

Sadly, my dad passed in the fall of 09, after taking Delta's early-retirement option not even 12mo prior _(he was a Northwest employee for >30yrs)._ The only silver lining was, it happened while he was Elk hunting, sat down to eat lunch at his favorite overlook on my cousins land, and had a heart attack... Couldn't of had a more beautiful final sight, and while doing something he loved dearly. If only we all could be so lucky. So with that said: _TO LOST FATHERS..._ 🍺😢

[@ColinKarvinen]

Amazing comment I hope he sees🙏

[@andyt1573]

Thank you for sharing.. I hope one day my kids do the same with my tools.. I always wish but never expected them to have the same passion for building and fixing cars a stuff but hope one day thay will. Thank you

[@echognomecal6742]

Thank you for this. It's an important shared experience with many facets. Family, history, learning, manual skills, honoring the elderly & past generations & their day-to-day lives.... Those not lucky enough to have shared this experience in some way can get a feeling & understanding of it thru your telling.

[@johnking3863]

Could it be a manual tufting gun for rug making?

[@Darkalyle]

I was thinking it was an old tennis racket stringer but tufting makes sense too.

[@kyleadams2419]

This is what I was thinking it was as well

[@stoner1822]

Yeah that was my first thought just from the thumbnail seeing its motion kinda confirms it!

[@Djjoemi]

Yep, quick google search on Gt Brit rug tool shows me a similar tool.

[@korasie]

I was thinking leather & canvas crafts. but the rugs idea is much more plausible

[@SargesCustoms]

Today I learned about tufting rugs. 😁 That's the reason I love this channel. We are such a wide range of makers that someone looked at this video and immediately said "that's a rug tufter." Love it!

[@danielbowers4008]

Learn something new every day!!! I had no idea.😁

[@reneedla]

It is a rug hooking tool. Probably a Bluenose.

[@Houaha]

Google says exactly this

[@reneedla]

@@HouahaI own several and have a book of patterns. I have used one in the past.😊

[@neilwinkelmann8540]

That was my guess about 4 minutes in.

[@johndoecake]

that was first thing that came on my mind the movement is the same as on the mechanized ones.I saw ton of wideos people making custome rugs with it it looks the same just with a motor on it

[@amphicorp4725]

I was so close... ;-;

[@toyfreaks]

Last video I watched: Adam completely reorganizes his work space This video: Adam stepping over his Halligan Bar and vacuum hose

[@ambrosecoulliette9264]

Adam-I'm putting this on a shelf in here

[@11cramm11]

He reorganized, never said anything about cleaning lol

[@toyfreaks]

True @@11cramm11

[@American_Made]

The struggle is real. cords are my biggest enemy.

[@kich6172]

LOL

[@Tiemen3]

I love how Adam casually has a crowbar and a Halligan bar laying on the floor

[@Emptybee]

I saw the Halligan and I was was, like, "Of course Adam has one lying on his floor." XD

[@colinmcmb]

Don't we all?

[@Wheel_Horse]

"Bluenose Rug Hooker" by John E. Garrett Ltd. , New Glascow, Nova Scotia. The handle is not bent or modified, that's the way it was made.

[@brianguilmette1586]

My first instinct was some sort of sewing gadget for maybe canvas or leather but after looking up the image, manual rug tufting tool for the win.

[@Timberwolf69]

My first thought was that it would be a leatherworker's tool. But a rug tufting tool indeed sounds way more likely.

[@CaseyGoff]

I immediately thought of a burlap bag stitcher. I have one. I assumed this was a newer model.

[@shawnholbrook7278]

same

[@hillpeople3]

Ditto

[@b3s13g3d]

Leatherworking was my first instinct.

[@Notzen238]

The most amazing thing about us humans is the tools we create. Some of them are so specialized that unless you’ve used it or seen it used, you might never guess the origin or purpose. My grandfather was a machinist for Royal Typewriter and for a custom machine shop back in the 1920’s through 1970’s and he had tools in his basement made for very specific tasks like inserting keys into the keyboard of a manual typewriter of a specific model. Without the context of the tool maker/user, some tools from pre1960’s are almost impossible to figure out.

[@j.f.christ8421]

The Mr Pete channel runs a series called "What is it?" where he shows random odd-ball tools, next episode he gives the answers. A recent episode had some IBM branded tools, one of which was for bending the key bars back to the correct angle. Beats using pliers or a hammer I guess. Made me realise I'd forgotten IBM made typewriters.

[@-tr0n]

I even find my own special tools, used years or decades ago and have NO CLUE what they're for. I remember making them and that they exist, but that's it.

[@mattknowsnothing]

I know what you're saying 😔 It does help making a note on the tool/jig but I'm always " yeah I'll never forget what that's for"🙄

[@davemoore6690]

Excellent video, Adam! Reminds me of sorting out my late father in law's workshop. He was a master welder who worked on (among others things) the Manhattan Project. We found a handful of tools that he'd made for special jobs that only he would be able to identify. So much interest and fun! Thanks for the memory!

[@Mitrasmit]

My thought process: - it's pretty much a big sewing needle - it takes a wire of some sort - it apparently needs an adjustable depth stop - surely this must be for tufting then? I love how Adam took me through all the steps. And I love how his conclusion is that it's for livestock, even though he was pretty much there with his analysis.

[@conniehenry6878]

It's a tufting tool. I had one as a kid. Part of a kit for making small rugs. Mine was not bent

[@margaretford1011]

He picked up on the “string guide” right away. But as we now know, it is for rug yarn. The modern form of this can be found under “punch needle” among yarn crafts. Working from the back, with a device like this, which has yarn threaded through the pointy part, you push in (leaving the yarn loop that far in), then pull out the needle, move to a place just next to that and push in again, each time leaving a loop on the other side at a uniform length. You can change the length of the loop by the setting that Adam found near the hand end of the device.

[@rexsilvae6066]

Being a leather worker I would have guessed some kind of stitching awl, but other commenter's suggest it's for rug making and given it's design and mechanisms that makes sense

[@gregp4819]

Knew what it was right away. Used 2 different types of these to make loop rugs back in the late 70's. Not this particular model, but one I used was very similar and at the time it was close to $25. The type I used more often was a super simple style that had no "moving parts, just a depth gauge and it was about $3. Fun to see. Thanks.

[@letstrythistv]

We made rugs in middle school in 78. We used a latch hook. A simpler version of this.

[@SweIceMan]

I just love the fact that no matter how esoteric or out there something is, there´s always someone within this wonderful community that can name the object.🙂

[@BoHolbo]

I predict there will be a sudden influx of weird and wonderful tools delivered to Adam’s postbox very soon! 😅

[@drmaudio]

Yup, and possibly a run on vintage Bluenose tufting needles.

[@darcyj19]

Followed in a few months by a One Day Build of a display cabinet for them 😝

[@michaeldowning6655]

it's a 'phentex needle punch' that's used in rug making. Looks like the handle has been modified.

[@dangleebols]

100%

[@EfrainDiazJr]

That made finding a video on how to use one very easy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYXOl2SbbK92qtksi=Meirh1Ee8Eg87U9e

[@_comment]

It's a Garrett Bluenose rug hooking tool, with an unmodified handle.

[@lazaruslong92]

@@_comment Bluenose eh? Must be from Nova Scotia, tabarkak ;-)

[@armandoquilombo]

Ohhhh!! I was kinda close. I believed it was a handheld sewing machine. For sacs or thik materials.

[@DTredecim]

My favorite thing about these videos as someone that isn't a maker is seeing an odd thing and then reading what it is for in the comments, and realizing that it isn't an odd thing after all.

[@raysmancave1]

It is a rug tuft repair tool, when you have a worn or damaged carpet you cut out the damaged area, then place a mesh on the underside of the carpet. This tool replaces the carpet pile (tuft) making an invisible repair. The adjustment slide is for determining the depth of the tuft. The handle is bent to allow the user to accurately see where he is placing the tuft, plus stop the wool from tangling in the handle, the rear coil feeds the wool in a straight line down to the tool head/cutter.

[@joolzanzleaux]

Also a fifty-something tinkerer and thrifter, I love watching you go through the same sleuthing process! Alas, this one I know well. I've tufted several rugs with my own hand rug-tufting tool. Mine operates with a hand-crank on the side, so you can move along fairly quickly, but still much slower than my electric tufting gun. They are all great fun to use. Oil that up with a little Blue Creeper and try it out! Like I always say, so many media, so little time!

[@raygreeko]

As someone who bought a tufting gun last year, I’d say it’s a tufting needle

[@johnhunt1725]

I was thinking maybe a hand sewing needle for very thick leather for like sewing a saddle together or something...

[@maggs131]

If you've ever tried your hand at leather work you wouldn't think that. Unless there's a laser attachment missing from that thing it'd fold up and break the first attempt at piercing vegetable tan leather

[@kh40yr]

One of the tools I spoof on new friends is a very old wet/dry swing style humidity gauge. They can NEVER figure out what it is for. During the hot dry summers of the Mt St Helens volcano timber recovery(1982,83,84), we had to constantly check the humidity as we worked. If it went too low, all timber cutting crews had to leave the tinder dry Mt St Helens monument. A swing style humidity gauge was used. Long, dry, dusty days, in that moonscape, wearing a paper face mask all day, usually replacing it at least once, so long as the humidity was right.

[@wtmayhew]

If I remember, the official name of that instrument is sling psychrometer. You could tell friends the name and they would probably still be mystified as to what it is. I remember seeing that type of instrument for sale the Edmund Scientific catalog many decades ago.

[@kh40yr]

Yup, that's it. you could never be precise with it as you are today with the digital sniff boxes, but it was close enough on the percentages back then. I still have the leather snap pouch that it rode in. We have a expensive sniff box for Drag Racing. The thing was $1700. It gives you everything at the push of a button,,even corrected altitude, water grains per lb, ect.@@wtmayhew

[@kepupstranger]

my first thought was also for tufted rugs. nice to see the comments agreeing. ive watched so many people who make rugs with the machine tufters. so cool

[@Topcatyo.]

I would absolutely watch a series of you solving the mysteries of unknown tools/devices.

[@fishcakes8457]

I love that he was so close to figuring it out! Yes, there's a string guide, yes it's meant to punch through something.. if he just tried actually putting some string through it he might have gotten it right!

[@batchmasterb2batchmasterb106]

"Tuft luck" figuring that one out,pal! Ha, I kill me!😂

[@alanshand829]

I had no idea from the thimbnail, but once he said there was a string guide and showed it retracting I felt it had something to do with sewing either a tough material or a large mesh. From the other comments I think I was close.

[@eikepierstorff5873]

I recognized that one immediately (manual tufting gun as pointed out in other comments), because I bought one last year on eBay out of sheer curiosity. The seller had no idea what it was, except that it came from the estate of a land surveyor, which set me on a completely wrong track before I did an image search. Two dollars is a steal if you plan to use it (I only use it as a conversation piece) - in my part of the world they can be way over 100 Euro new, depending on the maker.

[@ciaranwright19]

The reason I love this channel so is its not just content its a conversation where genuine questions of curiosity get asked and answered

[@mikegammill2455]

I believe it a "latch hook rug" tool. The yarn goes through the spring looking end, down the length of the tool and is caught on the front. You push the sharp end through the base material, pull the tool out and the sharp edge on the tool cuts the yarn. The adjustment is to allow you to set the "depth" or length of the yarn to allow for different thicknesses of rugs.

[@Blowinshiddup]

The Halligan Bar (fireman's tool) on the floor looks like it's waiting to get Adam...

[@placebomessiah]

I'm canadian, it's for stitching beavers together to float cargo down the river to Hudson's Bay

[@cmtippens9209]

😂

[@cristeenjessen2858]

I believe that is for making rag rugs. My great uncle made rugs and had something like that. He put the canvas on stretchers and stripped cloth usual wool into 1.5 inch strips drew pattern onto canvas and use that to put cloth thur and into canvas. He made rugs to sell because he had no job. WW1 Vetrans caught in gas. He took care of my Great Grand mother and made rugs.

[@timacrow]

He got a good deal; a seller on Etsy wants $42 for one (it does come with the box though). According the the box, "A child can use it."

[@davidioanhedges]

You were so very right on what the parts did ... But it is most definitely a tufting gun, which works exactly as you said you thought it does, it takes a string, and stabs into fabric, and then has a mechanism to pull the gun out but leave the string there ...

[@peterk7931]

Tufting tool. $95 on Amazon brand new.

[@rrp1127]

Yepper. Just found it on Amazon Canada. $239 though ....

[@SegginsProductions]

Jeez $2 is an absolute steal then (even if it is in fact a little broken)

[@MikeBanks2003]

Looks like a version of a Rug-maker. Used to make rugs out of old scrap cloth and worn out clothing--uses a burlap or hessian base such as an old corn sack. We had one that clamped to a table and used a foot loop to replace that handle.

[@upinarms79]

That is indeed a tufting tool. My dad worked in a rug tufting mill many years ago and I believe he might have had one of these and other similar hooking tools for making rug tufted rug patterns, doing repairs, alterations, that kind of thing. He's since passed, so I can't be sure... but I can remember back when he was working when I was very young (some 30+ years ago), I think they still used the old fashioned hooks, and maybe had some pneumatic ones at work. These days it seems they're mostly electric or pneumatic and kind of resemble power drills.

[@QuestionMan]

Wouldn't you know it, that there would even be a youtube video demonstrating the use of this tool. What a world!

[@olli_k]

My initial guess was that it was for some sort of sewing or similar application related to textiles. I patiently waited until the end of the video before checking the comments to see if someone recognized it. I love seeing old tools and trying to figure out what it was used for.

[@szsenyuk8887]

Walking rug, carpet insert tool. Used on burlap stretched on a frame. Big in the 1970's. Yarn is threaded through tool .

[@fredbrooks8347]

Any day that I learn something new is a perfect day! Like someone said in the comments this is one of the many reasons I look forward to this channel.

[@themonkeymoo]

It looks like a simple sewing machine that could be used to sew chain stitches in heavy materials like leather, basically an awl and eyeless needle in one.. The hollow awl wrapped around the thread pusher will make a hole in the (I presume) leather, then the pusher will push a measured (by the depth stop) loop through the hole. The slight concave shape on the end of the pusher is so the cordage won't slip off the side, and stitch tension is probably controlled by pinching the cordage against the handle before it feeds into the guide.

[@JeromeDemers]

You don’t need google, just the best fans in the world! This community is awesome!

[@Ojja78]

I have a few mystery tools that I procured when I got into the trades and bought used lots of tools or old toolboxes full of random stuff. It's fun to slowly learn what they are as I need random specialty tools from time to time.

[@Jamesfrancosdog]

That’s definitely either a thingamajig, or a whatchamacallit.

[@DustedTurtle054]

Are you entirely sure we can rule out it being a doohickey?

[@PabloLaConecta]

It could be also be a doodah.

[@Inn3rWarri0r]

It’s clearly a whojamaflip!!!

[@Christophersanchez1326]

It's a chingadera.

[@cmdraftbrn]

its clearly a doodad thingamabob

[@billdagrasshawking]

Rug hooking was a big deal for Canadians back in the day. My mom picked it up in 60’s-70’s and had me rug hooking as a child in the 80’s.

[@MissJesStar]

Haven't watched the video fully so this is my guess haha the moment I saw the contraption I knew: It's a punch needle. I use an electric version for tufting rugs. based on the end being beveled (when you pull the needle back), I can assume this would be a cut pile variety.

[@blister4walken]

My first thought was rug making, but only coz I recently watched Ali Spagnola make a rug with an automated gun that looked similar to this. Gotta love thrift/charity shops for random finds like this.

[@Sem5626]

oh i love these kind of videos, please everyone send savage more random tools for him to figure out

[@browninplay]

I went down a rabbit hole after watching this and now i wanna make new rug for my living room, thanks for sharing this :)

[@TribalGuitars]

It's not used for tagging livestock. Those are kind of like a paper punch meets a pop riveter. It's for something that large and that one can be kind of crude on because that's a wide blade. If it's for something large scale, and I think it might be, then it wouldn't be so crude because it would be using a large thread. It looks like a very fancy, job-specific sewing punch. It clearly is for making use of a continuous feed (also why it shows it's not for tagging ears) which would be for sewing something together. To me, it looks like something more for repair than making. Probably something for a tufted or shag carpet or rug.

[@studuerson2548]

My thrill was finding an old froe in the dirt in my back yard. I put it on an ax handle after a bit of cleaning, and I'm all set to make shake shingles.

[@jamesallred460]

Man, I love the internet for things like this. There's always someone who knows what these strange objects are.

[@user-neo71665]

The livestock ear tag I have is an all in one go. You load the tag in the end of it and it attaches it. There isn't any poking a hole then inserting the tag.

[@Laszlo34]

By 2:00 my guess is a tool for lacing/sewing up tought materials like leather or ship sails. I'll find out whether I'm right. :)

[@mattmartin7065]

My guess was some sort of sail-makers tool. A tufting tool makes a lot more sense, so thx to the posters that identified it.

[@Tweogan]

I found it with help of 'Google lens'. Took a picture of the screen when Adam held it and instantly found similar images. I'm amazed how easy it is to solve the origin of mystery objects like this with Google Lens. It has often helped me when I'm stumped on some mystery like this and need an answer fast (and I don't have a YT comment army helping me out).

[@Tweogan]

Oh and it is a tufting tool as the top comment says

[@toddabbott781]

I would not have figured it out until you pointed out the "string guide". Almost immediately I know it had to be for hook rugs as the node where the point goes back and forth (leaving a loop of yard) is actually flat. So you need a hook rug screen or whatever they call it and just thick in in the hole and pull it back. The adjustment by the handle would change the size of loop. I would think you would have to glue a backing on and then leave it with loops or you shave the carpet when it is done (most likely this). As a kid I did a few hook rugs, but they came in a kit with the backing mesh colors and packages of pre-cut colored yarn to match and you used a small hook tool and spent days making it.

[@pk2712]

Interesting to see your thought process . Usually interesting when people explain their thoughts . Especially , technical or creative people . Love it .

[@goodegiggles]

The way I ran to google images of rug tufting tools till I found one similar 😂. As soon as I saw the corkscrew I knew it would be used for yarn tension of some sort. Good way to spend a Monday evening

[@kenny-d]

A speed tufting gun!

[@gameuck17]

After watching this, i had to find some videos of it in use. Anyway i have just escaped the rabbit hole. Cool stuff. Never knew this existed. Thanks for enlightening me.

[@mobaj1147]

As soon as i saw it, i thought something for stitching thick materials... now i know "tufting rugs" .

[@jons2447]

Ain't sure but I think it was used to put buttons on padded cushions w/ string between 2 buttons to make cushion w/ buttons on it. I don't know what you call it, like a pad or cushion w/ buttons on it. If you've ever seen a cushion w/ buttons like for outdoor furniture I think your tool puts the buttons on cushions.

[@jwc4520]

Well i learned something today, a gadget for making rugs , inwas thinking for hides or even furs, but now the string thing makes more sense ...take care.

[@MrDrokkul]

It's an EZ-Eject'r Marshmallow Roasting Handle. They were promotional giveaways in the early 80's from the Stay-Puft Marhsmallow corporation. They gave them away up until mid-1984 when their company suddenly got a bad reputation for some reason.

[@Paxmax]

When choosing a tool to show, Adam had to make a Tuft call.

[@ludovicbon5903]

One of my aunts had a similar tool to make wool rugs . It's used to pass the strands of wool through the fabric .

[@ShadowDragon8685]

There's a general consensus that that device is a tufting tool for rugs. Neat! That's definitely a hypothesis. But can you be sure just from community crowdsourced identification? Well, probably, but that's not the fun way to be sure; the fun way would be to reverse-engineer the tool (which hopefully shouldn't be too hard, since it's all mechanical and all exposed), build your own, and try tufting some rugs!

[@khjr14]

That’s a (vintage) veterinary feline obstretics helical spanner. It’s used to help female cats pass the placenta and umbilical cord post-delivery. You’ll find two or three of them in every Taco Bell kitchen where the taco meat is prepared.

[@spencerjacobs4906]

When he said a string could go through it and the shape and movement. Reminds me of a sewing machine end, just hand held instead of on a table mounted machine

[@billd2635]

I had guessed a leather stitching tool. I love finding antique items and trying to figure out what they were for. Before electricity EVERYTHING was hand powered.

[@cycoholic]

My first thought was something like the comb for a loom, but in reading other comments, seemz to make sense it's some sort of tool for repairing carpets or similar.

[@appalachianunderground8474]

I love the fact that Victor Christmas shops in a thrift store, I would love to be on his gift list , awesome 🇺🇸👍🏻

[@robertbennett883]

After my Grandfather's passing i inherited a lot of his tools... he owned a lumberyard and was a gifted tool maker but he made some insane single use tools took years of guessing / tinkering to figure out some of them

[@REDRoverMike]

Yes that’s a hand tufting tool for carpet. They used to be used for seaming tufted carpet together. My dad used to use them back in the 60’s

[@daveinthehat]

It's a Bluenose Rug Hooking Tool. Pat:1926. The original box is marked: "The Simplest and Quickest Method of Making Hooked Yarn Rugs. A child can us it"

[@ChristopherCobra]

It's a hook latch tool for making rugs. I have two of the rugs across the room right now. You can change the height and also they normlly were not bent.

[@natas3503]

Reading through the comments I think the tufting tool wins. I've never heard of that or seen one, so pretty cool for sure!

[@bruceanderson7599]

Hi Adam, This is very cool, I recently found a tool that looks almost exactly like the one you have. It was in a bunch of tools that I inherited from a friend of mine. His parents were into refinishing and re-upholstering furniture. I always assumed it had something to do with that.

[@TheTuubster]

There are TV shows in Germany about this, where you give an item, a word or describe a situation to a panel of comedians and they have to find out what is behind it and on the way are encouraged to make up hilarious (but false) explanations. One is called "Genial Daneben" ("Ingeniously Missed").

[@joemedley195]

After reading in the comments that this is a rug tufting tool, I did a video search for rug tufting. Not only are there tons of videos. The people making use what appears to be a more advanced version of the tool.

[@derami1]

It's an old manual tufting gun. Modern ones are electric and super fast. Loads of people are using the automatic ones for making homemade rugs. Many of them are also making content for KZbin or tiktok.

[@brianmasters7500]

I guessed some sort of leather awl/stitcher, but the tufters got here way before me! Only thing I’ll add is that it likely was not a livestock tagger, b/c there was no way to provide backing pressure. Those tools are often plier-like. An animal is not going to lay its ear on a work table for you to use this device. 😅

[@kenny-d]

My first thought is for rug making.

[@jpdemer5]

Ding Ding Ding! First with the answer!

[@samlachance2]

I paused the video at 1:53 and pointed the Google Lens app at my screen. It not only found Adam's video again, but also found a bunch of similar tools listed as "vintage carpet tufting tools". Is anyone else blown away by Google Lens sometimes??

[@seanjuan1973]

It's sad that I have been internally screaming "IT'S A TUFTING TOOL!", for the first 3 minutes of this video, but as soon as he got to the "oh! There's a patent number, we can look it up." I smacked my face. Adam, for the love of anything holy. You have the freaking object and a smart phone. Just use Google Lens.

[@InssiAjaton]

Hi, Adam! You missed one hint from the letter: The purchasing location! Actually I have once had in my hands a simpler version that was not for tufting, but stitching.

[@jnorth568]

Your first inclination with the string I believe it's correct I first thought it would be used for making sales for sailboats or something like that😊

[@kelvincrabtree1062]

Everybody needs a halligan bar. When your wayward child locks you out of a room, the house, or themselves from you.

[@manicmechanic448]

I found that exact same tufting tool on line for 67 bucks. Dude got a steal.

[@dgundo]

Happy for the answers! I was guessing maybe for sewing thick leather, a punch for sinew or heavier material

[@user-fh8dz2dq5r]

NETS PATENT 1926, BURLAP STICHER has a narrow and longer slide large hole, HAND STITCHER FOR LEATHER, CANVAS SAILS had shorter and wider slide medium hole, and the one for gris or flour shot narrow and small hole you could still buy them in the 60s some of the old timers sill used wooden body stitchers "banjos"