DESCRIPTION: This is an collection of five fids of various woods that were hand carved by sailors to pass the time on long voyages from New England circa 1820s. A fid is a conical tool, traditionally made of wood or bone, which were used to open knots in ropes or repair holes in canvas. Fids were the most commonly used tool by sailor onboard tall ships in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Each fid is made from a different hardwood. The longest and largest fid is made of rock maple. The lignum vitae wooden fid has two tone. Lignum vitae is a trade wood that came from tropical places like Bahamas and Jamaica. There is even a tiger maple wooden fid in the collection. Tiger maple is a prized New England wood. The other two are made of oak and poplar. Each fid varies in length width, and weight. MEASUREMENTS: The largest rock maple fid is 18 inches long and 6 inches round in circumference. The smallest poplar fid is 9 inches long and 5 inches round in circumference.

All five fids are in excellent condition with an age appropriate patina.