Tool Tuesday: Gimlet

[johan_steele]

A gimlet is a tool useful for a variety of tasks. They are ideal for starting a hole or screw, they can be used as a leather awl and in a pinch can be used as a corkscrew… do not ask why as sometimes it is better not to know.

The wife sent me to town with a list of things to pick up for her. After some time at the dry goods store I noted the mule had a shoe in need of repair. While the smith fitted a replacement shoe I noted this useful little gimlet. It was of the size that I felt might be useful so a few coins passed from my hand to the smith and we were both pleased.

This particular gimlet was made by a local blacksmith, it may look crude but it works and it works well. The handle can be easily removed for compact storage. Function has a beauty all of its own. A simple wooden handle and well worn hand forged look is quite appealing to me. I like tools made from worn out files and the everyday tools made by blacksmiths. Simplicity in form and function garner a degree of appreciation from me. I am a simple man and I like simple things. This is particularly true when they carry an inherent beauty within.

 

[Nebraska Lawdog]

I clicked on this thread expecting information about a tasty adult beverage.

Seems that my life is full of disappointments...


Neat about the tool though.

 

[Pollaco]

Didn't Booth drill a peep hole into the door of the Presidential box at Ford Street Theater with one of these?

 

[johan_steele]

I clicked on this thread expecting information about a tasty adult beverage.

Seems that my life is full of disappointments...


Neat about the tool though.

Gin... if I feel the desperate urge to drink pine juice I'll try it but until that moment of horrid desperation or intense inebriation I'll stick with my scotch or cognac.

 

[johan_steele]

Didn't Booth drill a peep hole into the door of the Presidential box at Ford Street Theater with one of these?

I don't know on that note, it certainly would have been the tool to do so though.

 

[UCVRelics]

Nice piece. The artillery had a similar one for removing broken friction primers.

 

[Nebraska Lawdog]

Gin... if I feel the desperate urge to drink pine juice I'll try it but until that moment of horrid desperation or intense inebriation I'll stick with my scotch or cognac.

You're laboring under the presupposition that all gimlets are made with gin.
I will share a cognac with you though.

 

[major bill]

If you had a gimlet-eye you would have known where this thread was headed. Because I am a gimlet eye I knew.

 

[johan_steele]

4 parts gin to 1 part rose's Lime juice... I would have to be very desperate indeed or so far into my cups I couldn't taste the gin. To my eternal shame I was once far enough gone to have once drank Tanqueray straight. Which means my gimlet eye was extremely bloodshot. We all have that one thing we can't live down and can't forget.

 

[Tennessee Union Gal]

4 parts gin to 1 part rose's Lime juice... I would have to be very desperate indeed or so far into my cups I couldn't taste the gin. To my eternal shame I was once far enough gone to have once drank Tanqueray straight. Which means my gimlet eye was extremely bloodshot. We all have that one thing we can't live down and can't forget.

But there is such a thing as a vodka Gimlet...

 

[johan_steele]

But there is such a thing as a vodka Gimlet...

That sounds almost civilized...

 

[roberts]

Don't forget the 21st Infantry Regiment, special unit designation "Gimlet"

They trace their history to the ACW>

 

[EJ Zander]

View attachment 433594

A gimlet is a tool useful for a variety of tasks. They are ideal for starting a hole or screw, they can be used as a leather awl and in a pinch can be used as a corkscrew… do not ask why as sometimes it is better not to know.

The wife sent me to town with a list of things to pick up for her. After some time at the dry goods store I noted the mule had a shoe in need of repair. While the smith fitted a replacement shoe I noted this useful little gimlet. It was of the size that I felt might be useful so a few coins passed from my hand to the smith and we were both pleased.

This particular gimlet was made by a local blacksmith, it may look crude but it works and it works well. The handle can be easily removed for compact storage. Function has a beauty all of its own. A simple wooden handle and well worn hand forged look is quite appealing to me. I like tools made from worn out files and the everyday tools made by blacksmiths. Simplicity in form and function garner a degree of appreciation from me. I am a simple man and I like simple things. This is particularly true when they carry an inherent beauty within.

Nice piece!
Here is a conversation starter. At what point does an auger become a gimlet? Conversely a gimlet become an auger?
As for the gimlet great tool for tight spots a power drill cant get to.
Agree on old files, blacksmith buddy gives me his old worn ones but they are still good enough for trimming horses.

 

[johan_steele]

Nice piece!
Here is a conversation starter. At what point does an auger become a gimlet? Conversely a gimlet become an auger?
As for the gimlet great tool for tight spots a power drill cant get to.
Agree on old files, blacksmith buddy gives me his old worn ones but they are still good enough for trimming horses.

Usually an Auger is a larger tool and I'm not certain the term was in use at the time of the civil war. Augers, gimlets, braces, drills all pretty much do the same thing it's a matter of terminology and size that differentiates them as much as anything. Usually a gimlet is smaller, for starting holes or creating small ones.