Looks like a massage tool...

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rOZZ
Music
Pictures

Looks like a fancy pastry crimper to me.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

Looks like a fancy pastry crimper to me.

That's what I thought, except that it has 5 blades.

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David
Sitting on my butt while others boldly go,
Waiting for a message from a small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.

Looks like a fancy pastry crimper to me.

That's what I thought, except that it has 5 blades.

That's why I said fancy. ;~}

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

Looks like a massage tool...

Not a massage tool Julie :) though I think it would probably make quite a good one :)

Looks like a fancy pastry crimper to me.

Not a pastry crimper Gordon - but again, it would make for some very nice designs if it were used on pastry... :)

That's what I thought, except that it has 5 blades.

The number of blades can be varied David :)

Used in culinary activities?

Chris - I am a great believer in purloining tools meant for one thing and using them for something else :) sometimes with disastrous effects. But - not intended for culinary activities... but a tenuous link does sort of kind of exist... but very tenuous. :)

All good guesses so far though :)

Does it have anything to do with making clothing?

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

Does it have anything to do with making clothing?

No afraid not Gordon :)

Am thinking a clue might be in order now. Will have a quick think and be back with one before the edit button disappears... :)


Edited for clue!! :)

I will go with one that develops on some of the answers so far... ie: Not a pastry crimper - but it would make for some very nice designs if it were used on pastry. The number of blades can be varied, and there is a very tenuous link to culinary activities.

HERE WE GO:
The blades are wooden and are used for patterning. Try thinking of suitable, non-edible surfaces they might be used on.

An exact name isn't necessary (most people I know - when looking for it - ask "where's that thingy for... [doing such and such]") :)

Is it used in the garden, for making trenches to plant seeds?

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

I found one a few years ago in a junk shop - not sure what its real use is, but it s great for scratching one's back...

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Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

Gordon, Rob Chris... I like all your thinking :) and I must say I will never be able to pick up this tool again without an urge to use it for something it was not designed for... :) but I'm afraid it is not for planting seeds, scratching backs or putting designs on paper

Perhaps this will help... the designs/patterns are not 2 dimensional. The tool leaves a textured surface in it's wake.

What could the surface be? Remember it's not an edible one...

So, it is for making indentations on something as a form of pattern then?

Yes :) The material it's used on is the key...

Edit: when I say material, I mean in the general sense of the word - you know... the stuff it's used on - which is not cloth. Does that make sense? :/

So "material" means a "medium", not specifically as in cloth, paper, textile, leather etc. Riiight. Sticks logic hat on ones head.

not intended for culinary activities... but a tenuous link does sort of kind of exist... but very tenuous.

Anything to do with decorating items allied to culinary activities? Bowls, plates, etc

Indeed! That is a most excellent logic hat you have perched up there Chris :)

Well, I was going to take a wild stab and suggest maybe it has something to do with pottery making, but those wheels have such deep star patterns, I just don't see it.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

Well, I was going to take a wild stab and suggest maybe it has something to do with pottery making, but those wheels have such deep star patterns, I just don't see it.

It is indeed pottery making Gordon!!! And if you're happy to take the win - that is good enough for me. Just say yes/no. If it's yes I shall do the big reveal :)

Well, I'll take it, but it still makes me furrow my brow.

Let's see what it is used for, exactly.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

It's a roulette gear for adding texture to wet clay pots whilst they're turning on a potters wheel. There are a variety of types, and unfortunately I appear to have lost the picture, of the one I posted, actually being used... :/ the pic below is of a tall form gear mounted on a pipe. Hope it shows the concept adequately...



below shows the patterning created by the gear tool I posted here...



and (also below) is an alternative pattern created by aligning the gears differently (after firing and glazing) and might vaguely resemble your furrowed brow Gordon :)



As I said before... in the pottery class I help out in, it's usually called that pattern thingy... :)

Congratulations Gordon!!! :)

Edit: Forgot... pm on it's way :)

That's a very nice looking vase, Chris. Yes, I am sure that technique has a name, too. Kind of like 3-D decoupage.

I am still curious as to what the pattern thingy maker's official name is. The blue vessel looks like glass, btw, which I'm sure has it's own vast array of tools. I've watched people make glass art and it's kind of hypnotizing and fascinating.

Alright, I'll take the win, but I feel like Chris and I were both sort of banging around the door.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

The Steve Tool

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

Okey dokey,

This one is in my tool cabinet:



What is it?

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

(discussion of cafe games thread :))

Um... for winding string? :)