# Lobsters and rubber bands **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 21, 2006, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320 "2006-10-21T02:22:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![copperwindow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/1 "2006-10-21T02:22:22Z")
How do they put rubber bands on lobster claws? ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/2 "2006-10-21T02:29:58Z")
Many years ago, over forty in fact, I had the chance to go out on a lobster boat with someone my family knew. He slipped them on by hand. Now bear in mind this was a small boat with a crew of two. Plus me, but I was just along for the ride. No idea how it’s done today, or on bigger boats back then. I will add that all the boats in that port, Kennebunkport Maine, were about the same size. ---
**Author:** ![dinahmoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8797f3/32.png) [@dinahmoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dinahmoe)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/3 "2006-10-21T02:35:50Z")
They use a device that looks kind of like a pair of pliers. It stretches the band enough to slip easily over the claws. At least that’s how I’ve seen it done on midsize boats out of Beverly, Rockport and Gloucester MA, and Kennebunkport, ME. ---
**Author:** ![copperwindow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/4 "2006-10-21T03:09:40Z")
[QUOTE=dinahmoe] They use a device that looks kind of like a pair of pliers. It stretches the band enough to slip easily over the claws. At least that’s how I’ve seen it done on midsize boats out of Beverly, Rockport and Gloucester MA, and Kennebunkport, ME. [/QUOTE] And the lobster is complacent and isn’t moving it’s claws all around? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/5 "2006-10-21T03:43:01Z")
[QUOTE=dinahmoe] They use a device that looks kind of like a pair of pliers. It stretches the band enough to slip easily over the claws. At least that’s how I’ve seen it done on midsize boats out of Beverly, Rockport and Gloucester MA, and Kennebunkport, ME. [/QUOTE] This board amazes me sometimes. Good job. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/6 "2006-10-21T03:49:06Z")
[Lobster banding tool](http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/4,5831.htm). ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/7 "2006-10-21T04:15:13Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] [Lobster banding tool](http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/4,5831.htm). [/QUOTE] Well, when those lobsters get on here and try to post shit, I"ll ban their ass quick as a wink. Just you watch. I don’t need no tool. :::what?:::::: Banding? ??? Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/8 "2006-10-21T04:23:03Z")
Have you ever tried to ban an unbanded lobster? Good luck with that. ---
**Author:** ![dinahmoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8797f3/32.png) [@dinahmoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dinahmoe)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/9 "2006-10-21T04:32:34Z")
[QUOTE=samclem] This board amazes me sometimes. Good job. [/QUOTE] Aw, go on. I’m pretty pleased to actually know the answer to something. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/10 "2006-10-21T14:18:00Z")
[QUOTE=samclem] This board amazes me sometimes. [/QUOTE] Okay, how about [this](http://www.castrator.com/)? A tool to apply a rubber band to sheep testicles. The band cuts off the circulation, resulting in castration. ---
**Author:** ![motomoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@motomoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motomoon)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/11 "2006-10-21T16:27:25Z")
Hey! My girlfriend is up in Maine right now, and this is her job. Not suprisingly it really hurts when they pinch, so, hooray LOBSTER BANDING TOOL NYLON 118241! Boo [pinch.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AafzLbM7GqM) ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2006, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/12 "2006-10-21T18:17:39Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] Okay, how about [this](http://www.castrator.com/)? A tool to apply a rubber band to sheep testicles. The band cuts off the circulation, resulting in castration. [/QUOTE] The band results in “No Balls at All.” All together now, From the top, No Balls at All, No Bal… ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/13 "2006-10-23T13:57:55Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] Okay, how about [this](http://www.castrator.com/)? A tool to apply a rubber band to sheep testicles. The band cuts off the circulation, resulting in castration. [/QUOTE] When I was (much) younger, I helped my grandfather on his small sheep farm in Conneticut. I had the dubious pleasure of castrating a ram. Those suckers can kick. At least until their eyes bulge out and they limp off to a corner of the pasture to wallow in pain and self pity. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/14 "2006-10-23T14:05:00Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] Okay, how about [this](http://www.castrator.com/)? A tool to apply a rubber band to sheep testicles. The band cuts off the circulation, resulting in castration. [/QUOTE] Sheep have testicles?? :dubious: :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/15 "2006-10-23T14:08:58Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] Sheep have testicles?? :dubious: :dubious: [/QUOTE] Hit submit to soon, meant to say only ewes. ::sings can make me feel this way::: ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/16 "2006-10-23T14:30:39Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] Okay, how about [this](http://www.castrator.com/)? A tool to apply a rubber band to sheep testicles. The band cuts off the circulation, resulting in castration. [/QUOTE] **Hal** will _weep_. As for getting rubber bands **off** lobsters…[YOU ASK THIS YOUNG LADY.](http://www.gotfuturama.com/Multimedia/FrameGrabs/2ACV05/Grabs/pic00214.jpg) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/17 "2006-10-23T15:20:36Z")
[QUOTE=copperwindow] And the lobster is complacent and isn’t moving it’s claws all around? [/QUOTE] Well no, the lobster protests and resists mightily, but the lobstermen are much bigger than the lobsters. If you grab it at the base of the claw, you can squeeze the claw shut easily, then slip the band on with the tool. Takes about 3 seconds for an experienced lobsterman to do both claws. If you get a chance, watch the [Lobstermen](http://dsc.discovery.com/tvlistings/episode.jsp?episode=1&cpi=25265&gid=0&channel=DSC) series on Discovery Channel. They show exactly how it’s done. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/18 "2006-10-23T19:39:44Z")
> [@](#): > > Sheep have testicles?? If you’ve ever seen a good-sized (and intact) ram, there’s no mistaking them. Each one of those balls is about the size of a person’s head. They’re bigger than bull testicles. All I can figure is that it’s a case of runaway sexual selection. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/19 "2006-10-23T21:52:57Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] Okay, how about [this](http://www.castrator.com/)? A tool to apply a rubber band to sheep testicles. The band cuts off the circulation, resulting in castration. [/QUOTE] Warning: the following describes an unpleasant-sounding medical procedure: [Rubber bands](http://www.webmd.com/hw/hemorrhoids/hw212526.asp) are also used for hemorrhoidectomies. ---
**Author:** ![Dancing\_Fool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Dancing\_Fool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dancing_Fool)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320/20 "2006-10-24T01:28:25Z")
If you are not interested in using the banding method for sheep, there are some scary looking tools for both castration and tail docking (see [some examples here](http://bedford.extension.psu.edu/Agriculture/Lessons/Docking%20and%20Castration.htm) ). The elastrator (the rubber band method) is commonly used these days for both castrations and docking on sheep. Although it takes longer (about two weeks) it tends to leave a cleaner wound, and is quicker to apply. When I was gowing up, my cousins lived on a farm in New Zealand, and I remember them complaining about the change. They much prefered the older methods, which left a good supply of lamb’s tails for a BBQ. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lobsters-and-rubber-bands/377320.md?page=2)