# Help me identify this arts and crafts tool **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 20, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-arts-and-crafts-tool/641566 "2012-11-20T01:14:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-arts-and-crafts-tool/641566/1 "2012-11-20T01:14:24Z")
Hi all, I had inherited a number of things from my mother that were related to arts and crafts. Most of them I can identify, [but I have yet to figure out what on earth this is](http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/toadsqualor/photo1.jpg). Got any clues? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-arts-and-crafts-tool/641566/2 "2012-11-20T01:23:33Z")
It would seem to be inappropriate content. Could you describe it? ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-arts-and-crafts-tool/641566/3 "2012-11-20T01:28:11Z")
Odd. [Perhaps I shall upload it to another site.](https://plus.google.com/photos/110411198775422984075/albums/5812700668295944145) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-arts-and-crafts-tool/641566/4 "2012-11-20T01:37:09Z")
I found [this image of a rug making tool](http://en.allexperts.com/q/Collectibles-General-Antiques-682/2012/8/antique-tool.htm), which is not dissimilar… though not really similar either. I also tried looking up “adjustable awl” but that didn’t really produce anything useful either. ---
**Author:** ![nonacetone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonacetone/32/2819_2.png) [@nonacetone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonacetone)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-arts-and-crafts-tool/641566/5 "2012-11-20T01:37:23Z")
I have no idea! It sort of reminds me of some type of awl. I’m interested in finding out what it is, also! ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-arts-and-crafts-tool/641566/6 "2012-11-20T01:38:47Z")
All I know is that it’s really good for gouging skin. I have several little pinprick holes in my hand in addition to a lovely uneven scrape. ---
**Author:** ![FlyByNight512](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/82dd89/32.png) [@FlyByNight512](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyByNight512)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-arts-and-crafts-tool/641566/7 "2012-11-20T01:42:17Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I found [this image of a rug making tool](http://en.allexperts.com/q/Collectibles-General-Antiques-682/2012/8/antique-tool.htm), which is not dissimilar… though not really similar either. I think you’re on the right track, it appears to be an [adjustable punch needle](http://crochet4you1.tripod.com/phentex_adjustable_punch_needle.htm). ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-arts-and-crafts-tool/641566/8 "2012-11-20T01:56:31Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I found [this image of a rug making tool](http://en.allexperts.com/q/Collectibles-General-Antiques-682/2012/8/antique-tool.htm), which is not dissimilar… though not really similar either. > > I also tried looking up “adjustable awl” but that didn’t really produce anything useful either. That sure looks like it, it’s almost like the one **nashiitashii** linked to is missing a part. ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-arts-and-crafts-tool/641566/9 "2012-11-20T03:04:39Z")
Good to know, guys. Based on her crafting habits, that would not be a completely unusual item for my mother to have owned. Thanks!