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??? What are these question marks doing here? These represent tools which we know by a Dutch or French term, but for which we couldn't find a proper English term. Suggestions for a name are always welcome!

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Showing search results  1 - 50 1,386 results found
Egg separator
With an egg separator you can easily separate egg white and yolk. It is made of tin or plastic, round (approx. 6-10 cm), with holes or slots at the bottom and possibly with a handle. When the separator is placed over a bowl and the egg is broken above it, the yolk remains in the small recess in the bottom while the egg white drips through the openings in the bowl. The yolk separator can also be made of stone. It then consists of a tray with a slot that fits on a receptacle. The dish and container thus form one whole. [MOT]
Drain ladle
To lay drainage pipes, a trench is first dug one or two stitches deep (and approx. 50-60 cm wide) with the garden spade and the spade. After the loose soil that the spade has not been able to absorb has been removed with a masonry shovel, also with a kind of flat drain laddle, the trench is brought to depth with the narrow drain spade. Finally, with the drain laddle, the bottom of the trench is finished very accurately and at the required slope, so that the pipes can be placed on it (see pipe layer); the worker is standing next to the slot. [MOT]
Dumbbell spanner
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/dumbbell-spanner?lang=nl>
Egg slicer
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/egg-slicer?lang=nl>
Egg beater
This kitchen utensil serves to whisk egg whites and the like. It is considerably lighter and faster than with a regular wire whisk. See also the spiral whisk and mayonnaise whipper. More technical information on the Dutch version of this page. [MOT]
Egg lifter
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/egg-lifter?lang=nl>
Egg poacher
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/egg-poacher?lang=nl>
Eelspear
This text can only be consulted in DutchSee also the fish spear.
Egg tongs
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/egg-tongs?lang=nl>
Eel tongs
This text on eel tongs can only be consulted in Dutch. [MOT]
Curved knife
The curved knife of a basket maker is very similar to the pruning knife but with a fixed and usually shorter (5-8 cm) blade. It is used just like the pruning knife by the basketmaker to cut a twig (1) (see also pruning shears); by the plumber and roofer to cut lead sheets (2); by the saddler to cut out leather. A curved knife is also used for cutting oilcloths. See also the linocutter and pocket knife. [MOT] (1) A basket maker's cleaver cut in the suture of the curved knife is exceptional (BOUCARD: 81). (2) Also called plumber's knife or lead knife (VAN HOUCKE 1901-1902: 450). It is usually a folding knife.
Fire shovel (stoker)
Iron shovel (length 100-120 cm; width 15-20 cm) with flat blade and iron handle, with which the coals are brought together in the boiler. Often the stem ends in a ring. The stoker's fire shovel is usually part of a set, along with a poker, oven rake and clinker tongs. See also fire shovel (blacksmith). [MOT]
Fillister plane
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/fillister-plane?lang=nl>
Fillet
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/fillet?lang=nl>
Fire shovel (blacksmith)
The fire shovel is an iron shovel (length approx. 75 cm; width approx. 12 cm) with usually a flat blade and iron handle, with which the blacksmith brings the coals together and covers the piece to be heated. Often the handle is open. See also the ash shovel and fire shovel (stoker). [MOT]
Eyelet extractor
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/eyelet-extractor?lang=nl>
Faggot press
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/faggot-press?lang=nl>
Fencing pliers
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/fencing-pliers?lang=nl>
File cutter's hammer
Description under construction... For more information about this tool, see the dutch version of this file.
Fire-hook
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/fire-hook?lang=nl>
Fireman's Axe
The fireman's axe mainly serves to break a door or window, but it is used for all kinds of purposes (1). Today it closely resembles a woodman's axe. The straight handle often ends in a small sphere to provide a better grip. Often there is a notch at the bottom of the blade to pull out nails and a spring strengthens the connection with the stem (2). Very common is a pointed axe, i.e. an axe with a heavy point opposite the edge (3). Here too one or two springs are often found. Today there are firefighter's axes made of a non-sparking alloy. The stem can be short (about 35 cm) or long (about 80-90 cm). The short handle often has slight bumps along its entire length to provide a better grip; when isolated, it is usually serrated. The handle of some models ends in a heavy iron point. [MOT] (1) Eg. to drive a peg of emergency into the wall. Certain models appear in military and security equipment. See also the window-smasher to shatter safety glass in a bus, train or plane. (2) In most countries...
File brush
Steel brush made of short (approx. 1 cm) kinked metal wires that protrude through a thick (approx. 0.4 cm) piece of fabric. The latter is glued to a thin board (length approx. 10-15.5 cm; width approx. 2.5-5.5 cm) with a handle or a wooden block. A file brush is used to remove wood or metal filings from the file. Brushing is done in the direction of the file cut. [MOT
Fish scaler
To quickly and easily scale fish, one usually uses a fish scaler, with which one rubs the fish from tail to head, so against the scales. The metal, always serrated, blade of the fish scaler can be in the shape of a ring or triangle, a hair brush (1) or a dough scraper (2). The (wooden) handle forms an obtuse angle (approx. 5 °) with the working part or is attached to it with a kink. Often the fish scaler is part of the folding fishing knife. The sharp, serrated edge of a shell can also serve as a fish scaler. See also pocket knife. [MOT] (1) Eg. CAMPBELL FRANKLIN: 100 and CAMPBELL: 84.
Fire swatter
The fire swatter is a hand tool that the fire brigade uses to extinguish a running fire in grass, heather, etc. while beating. It replaces the common twigs that were used in the past. The fire swatter consists of 10 flexible iron bands that are clamped in a fan-like holder in which a long wooden handle (approx. 200 cm) protrudes. To be distinguished from the eelspear. See also the mop. [MOT]
Fish chopping-knife
Chopper with a heavy, elongated or curved blade that is fixed in a straight handle and used to chop fish into pieces. It is distinguishable from the single-handed meat cleaver because it is lighter and has a rounded, thinner blade. The cut is straight or convex. [MOT]
Fish fillet knife
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/fish-fillet-knife?lang=nl>
Edge shave
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/egde-shave?lang=nl>
First bit
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/first-bit?lang=nl>
Fudge wheel
The fudge wheel has a grooved metal wheel (approx. 1.5-2 cm diameter) that is attached to a metal, sometimes slightly curved shaft, which is provided with a wooden handle. The total length is approximately 14-18 cm and the wheel has 3 to 7 grooves per centimeter. The shoemaker uses the fudge wheel to imitate a hand sewn seam on the top edge of the shoe sole or to secure the stitches on that edge; it is always heated before use. There are also fudge wheels with interchangeable wheels. The wooden handle is usually hollow and can be unscrewed so that the wheels can be stored in it. The wheel itself is held in place by a movable hook that closes around the axis. [MOT]
Fur plier
Tongs (approx. 20-30 cm long) with long (approx. 8-10 cm), flat, transversely grooved jaws, one of which is shaded on the outside. Usually one arm is straight and the other bent. The furrier uses the tongs to smooth and nail the fur to let it dry. She is held in the right hand while the fur is put on with the left hand; then it is grasped by the edge with the pliers and a nail is placed on it, which is driven into the board by gently tapping it with the shaded underside of the jaw. See also these frame-maker's plier and upholsterer's pliers. [MOT]
Garden line
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/garden-line?lang=nl>
Garden hoe
Hand tool that resembles the regular hoe, but is lighter (approx. 500-800 g) and also has a longer handle (approx. 120-150 cm). With this hoe, the gardener breaks the top layer of the soil to uproot weeds and / or, in case of drought, to reduce evaporation. In contrast to the regular hoe, this tool does not cut, but the blade is pulled superficially through the ground while pulling it back, and the weeds are possibly pushed loose again when cutting back. See also the scuffle hoe, small garden hoe, weeding hoe, hand cultivator. [MOT]
Furrier's knife (standard)
Knife specially designed for fur work (approx. 10-15 cm long), completely made of metal and without handle, often with two copper beads, one on the high back and one on the flared end. The index finger then rests on the bulge on the back; the palm of the hand rests on the bulge on the end of the knife. There is also a model with an interchangeable blade and a model in pocket knife format (fur knife + small furrier's comb). When cutting, the fur is lifted with the left hand so far that the cut comes clear of the table; so the hair is not cut. [MOT]
Frozen-food knife
Serrated blade (about 20-30 cm) with a wooden or plastic handle that can be used to cut frozen food. The blade can have long, pointed teeth or a wide, sharp wave edge (compare bread knife and snow saw). It can also have a cut on the other side with which, for example, bread can be cut. [MOT]
Furrier's comb
The furrier's comb is a copper comb of which one half is set with large teeth (approx. 4 per cm) and the other half with finer teeth (approx. 7 per cm); the tips are always blunt so as not to damage the fur when combing. The furrier can also use another steel comb that is suitable for coarser material, eg that has been affected by moths, or for which the copper comb is not sharp enough. See also furrier's nail comb and seal comb.
Funnel (kitchen)
Kitchen utensil (approx. 15-25 cm) with a hollow, cylindrical or conical container with a tube at the bottom. It can be wood, metal, glass or plastic. With a funnel it is easy to pour liquids or powdered substances through a narrow opening, eg a bottle neck. [MOT]
Funnel for liquid manure
The funnel for liquid manure (1). (1) Translation of the dutch word 'beertrechter'. The proper name in english is yet unknown.
Gouge
This gouge is to be distinguished from the carver's gouge, the carpenter's carving gouge and the clog maker's gouge.
Glazier's hammer
Hammer (approx. 150-500 gr) with a narrow (approx. 1-2 cm) head used by the glazier to knock small nails into the window frame. There are different models: with two square faces, two round faces and with one round face and a wedge-shaped pin. Often the handle of the glazier's hammer is finished as a glazing lever. To be distinguished from the upholsterer's hammer. [MOT]
Goffer
In the past, the pleats in hats, lace, etc. were applied with a heated goffer. The mouth of the tool is wide and wavy on the inside. Goffering irons could also be used, but their mouth is narrower and consists of two long round rods. Larger pieces were passed through a fluted roller. [MOT]
Glue iron
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/glue-iron?lang=nl>
Gouge (bookbinder)
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/gouge-bookbinder?lang=nl>
Glazing iron
The shoemaker uses this hand tool to give shine to the leather, especially to the sole and heel. It has a beaked, iron, relatively wide (about 2 cm) head attached to a wooden handle. After wax or polish has been applied, the hot glazing iron is rubbed over the leather.Some glazing irons have one stepped side that can be rubbed over the edge of the sole. [MOT]
Fret saw
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/fret-saw?lang=nl>
Glove stick
Elongated (approx. 30 cm), monoxile conical stick with a straight handle - distinguishable from the curling iron - which is used to stretch and widen the fingers of gloves, eg after washing. Glove stretchers can also be used for the same purpose. [MOT]
Goffering iron
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/goffering-iron?lang=nl>
Goad / Trident of the cattle-driver
(1) (1) Proper name unknown.
Grain sieve
After the grain has been threshed with the flail and the grain straw has been removed, grains, chaff, clods, short straw, stones and other impurities remain together. Some of the impurities are removed with the help of the grain sieve. By shaking the sieve back and forth, the grains fall through, leaving chaff and short straw behind. The grain sieve is also used to separate chaff from dust / sand (1). The flax worker also uses a grain sieve to separate the linseed from the chaff after threshing (see bruising mail). The grain sieve is a large (diam. 50-100 cm) round sieve (2) with 2-3 wooden rings (height approx. 10-20 cm) between which a flat perforated bottom of metal (zinc) or leather (3) is clamped. In the latter the small round or elongated holes (diam. 1-2 mm; center distance approx. 4 mm) (4) are punched with a punch. The center of the sieve bottom is often decorated with a figure, a date, initials and / or place name. Sometimes 1, 3 or 4 holes or slots are provided in the edge...
Glass cutter
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/glass-cutter?lang=nl>
Grass shears
This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/grass-shears?lang=nl>