Mystery tool

**mklotz** · Jul 13, 2018, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Jon

ANTIQUE EDW. PARKINSON MFG. CO. THREAD CUTTER TWEEZER AWL TOOL U.S.A

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-EDW...A/202359934037

Are we confident that the Ebay seller knows what they are or has he constructed something plausible to make them salable? He's obviously got the same tool as the OP but does he really know what it is?

Frankly, they look a bit clumsy to be "tweezers". Also, nipping thread to cut it doesn't work very well; the thread merely compresses. You can nip wire but most thread cutters use some sort of blade and a slicing action.

I remain unconvinced.

**Jon** · Jul 13, 2018, 02:39 PM

Good points all around; I've definitely purchased misidentified items from eBay. Cutter + tweezer in one is a red flag too - a workholding tool that also mars material? Next step would be to search patents for terms like "Edward Parkinson Manufacturing Company" and similar phrasing, as well as patent searches for key figures in the company.

**Jon** · Jul 13, 2018, 03:14 PM

Yup, you're right, not tweezers. Found this old ad for Edward Parkinson Manufacturing:

And then Googled for the term "nipper reed hooks" from the ad and stumbled on this. Looks to be very similar to one of the "front burling nipper" tools here:

So I guess the pointed tip is a seam ripper?

**mklotz** · Jul 13, 2018, 04:32 PM

Dictionary.com gives as the first definition of "burl", "a small knot or lump in wool, thread, or cloth" and defines "burling" as removing same. I imagine the pointed end was used more like a fid/marlin spike is used for knots, i.e., to open the burl enough so it could be unraveled and pulled/snipped away.

**Floradawg** · Jul 13, 2018, 10:22 PM

Well y'all came through for me. Mystery solved. The one on Ebay has been cleaned up, probably trimming away a lot of value, assuming that there are collectors of these.

I want to thank all of you who did the research and took the time to figure this out. Y'all are the best!