# Can anyone identify this gadget? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 3, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974 "2019-06-03T19:32:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/1 "2019-06-03T19:32:26Z")
I found this gadget while sorting through my Dad’s old toolbox. The cap screws off as shown, and there is a thin wire with a small rounded tip that protrudes from the shaft when the button on the other end is depressed. I haven’t been able to find anything similar in online searches. Any ideas? [![](https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/Bookkeeper2/IMG_3441.jpg) ](https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/Bookkeeper2/IMG_3441.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/2 "2019-06-03T19:46:23Z")
How sharp I the end? Is it spring-loaded and does it snap when depressed enough? A center-punch? ---
**Author:** ![TheBori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee7513/32.png) [@TheBori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBori)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/3 "2019-06-03T19:46:54Z")
Your relic may be a retractable metal scribe. Scribes are used to mark metal for cutting or measuring. Effectively, a pencil that scratches metal. The pocket clip is a good indication that this is a writing instrument. The end should come to a fine point. The rounding is most likely the result of a lot of use. That’s my guess. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/4 "2019-06-03T19:48:25Z")
Is the wire showing there, or is it something that would protrude from the shaft seen in the picture? ETA: I was think of a scribing tool as\*\* TheBori \*\*is saying, but I don’t understand what is meant about a wire. ---
**Author:** ![EdelweissPirate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8491ac/32.png) [@EdelweissPirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdelweissPirate)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/5 "2019-06-03T19:55:32Z")
I agree that the use of “wire” is ambiguous here. It would be really helpful if you could post a picture of the whole thing. Is that an option? ---
**Author:** ![Doubticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@Doubticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doubticus)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/6 "2019-06-03T20:14:44Z")
I don’t recognize this device, but I am struck by how the tip looks like a basketball inflation needle. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/7 "2019-06-03T20:51:09Z")
It’s not a scribe - the wire is stiff, but only about 1/64" in diameter, and has a rounded bulb shape on the tip. (I do have a scribe, so know that this isn’t one.) I’ve added a picture of the wire protruding to the maximum length from the shaft, showing the bulbous tip. [![](https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/Bookkeeper2/IMG_3442.jpg) ](https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/Bookkeeper2/IMG_3442.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/8 "2019-06-03T21:04:31Z")
Is the cat part of it? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/9 "2019-06-03T21:05:37Z")
Do you have much control over how much wire protrudes as you press the button? Looks like the cap holding the button can be unscrewed, do you want to try disassembling it? I wonder if there a reservoir that would hold liquid. It could be some type of oiler, or even a kind of old fashioned marking pen. That thin wire and how far out it protrudes is a little puzzling though. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/10 "2019-06-03T21:38:58Z")
It is a precision oiler. Oil stored at top, pushing the button allows for precise placement of drops of oil. Cap over needle has an o-ring to stop leakage. > **[McKay Precision Oiler Pen Applicator Pocket Oiler: Optimal for Oiling Sewing...](https://www.amazon.com/McKay-Precision-Oiler-Applicator-Pocket/dp/B01KB3JIWQ)** > > Buy McKay Precision Oiler Pen Applicator Pocket Oiler: Optimal for Oiling Sewing Machines, Power Tools, or Bicycles at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision! ---
**Author:** ![EdelweissPirate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8491ac/32.png) [@EdelweissPirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdelweissPirate)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/11 "2019-06-03T21:46:53Z")
Nicely done! ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/12 "2019-06-03T23:12:02Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > It is a precision oiler. Oil stored at top, pushing the button allows for precise placement of drops of oil. Cap over needle has an o-ring to stop leakage. > > [https://www.amazon.com/d/Oil-Lube-System/McKay-Precision-Oiler-Applicator-Pocket/B01KB3JIWQ](https://www.amazon.com/d/Oil-Lube-System/McKay-Precision-Oiler-Applicator-Pocket/B01KB3JIWQ) Bingo! Thanks, **jasg**! That’s it exactly! ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/13 "2019-06-03T23:13:41Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Is the cat part of it? No, the cat is completely separate! ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2019, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/14 "2019-06-04T04:52:10Z")
Are we sure it isn’t a butter curler? ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2019, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-gadget/834974/16 "2019-06-04T10:28:18Z")
Looks like a three-eighths Gripley to me.