Replies

1. 
   _mj_ | Nov 24, 2022 08:50am | #1

   My guess is that it's for carving. The groove around the midde looks like another axis of adjustment and maybe how it was attached to a bench. Ream a hole in the bottom of a workpiece and it would hold tight like a morse taper.

   Super cool thingy!

1. 
   HiHoSilver | Nov 24, 2022 11:09am | #2

   Wood carving huhh. That's a possibility. Thickness of the blank would have to be minimal I guess. I don't know...

2. 
   _mj_ | Nov 24, 2022 01:27pm | #3

   Actually I was thinking that the blank would be large enough to have the female side of the taper cut into it to fit on the conical end.

1. 
   HiHoSilver | Nov 25, 2022 03:36am | #5

   I see what you're saying now. I gotta' check some old catalogs I guess.

   Others elsewhere have suggested leatherwork, darning work and cobbler work, but consensus is carving. Of course there's always the juvenile comments you get on places like Reddit. Know what I mean?!!

3. 
   jfsksa | Nov 24, 2022 08:37pm | #4

   No idea. But I'll give you 10 bucks for the Defiance utility knife.

1. 
   HiHoSilver | Nov 25, 2022 03:37am | #6

   Oh you would would ya?! Lol

2. 
   john_c2 | Nov 25, 2022 07:28am | #7

   I'm not a fan of the Defiance with the holes in the handle. I do love the solid cast iron 1299 though. Best knife made.

4. 
   Rob_Sp | Nov 25, 2022 01:21pm | #8

   I would think the tapered section would allow it to be mounted quickly and securely in a workbench top, in a matching reamed hole.
   I don't see the range of motion or grip for a carving fixture.
   I would suspect it is for a more singular purpose, but what for I don't have a clue.

1. 
   HiHoSilver | Nov 25, 2022 02:47pm | #10

   I think we're getting real close with your contention, Max. Now, if we could only find the what for.
   For those non-believers, "Off with their heads!"

5. 
   user-6445466 | Nov 25, 2022 02:12pm | #9

   How about a food press or spice crusher??

6. 
   johngr2022 | Nov 25, 2022 07:35pm | #11

   I was going to say orange/lemon juicer,LOL. Way too cumbersome for that.
   My thought is this is a one purpose tool. My guess is to mold wet leather into a cup shape. The handle-and-ball shape sits in a beveled opening which implies it moves around and into whatever material is in its vise.