A Ship's Fid

English

Mid 19th Century

A Large Lignum Vitae Ship's Fid

length 78 cm (30 in)

The fid was commonly made on board ship from a hardwood such as lignum vitae and being a utilitarian sailors' tool had little or no decoration. Ranging in size from 15 to 80 cm they were used for inserting thimbles into prepared rope, working knots, splicing ropes and for opening holes in a canvas sail; this would spread the threads rather than cutting a hole which would weaken the fabric.