I'm going to guess clasp knife.

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_{Father of
SR Powers, William T., S-178}

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My first thought was marlinspike also, or maybe fid. But I think the Algonquin mostly used birchbark canoes and so may not have used rope much. But the French-Canadians, Portuguese and Spanish are famous for their knives. Hence my guess. I've drawn a blank with Google and Wikipedia on this one.

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_{Father of
SR Powers, William T., S-178}

Ok. I know what a monkey fist is, although I no longer remember how to make one. But I'm clueless on 'coxcombing.' But I'm always eager to learn!

Bill

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_{Father of
SR Powers, William T., S-178}

Never would have got that since I was hung up on the literal definition of tool. So, got me there.

I tried to Google for all of them. The French Bowline is just another name for the double bowline. So is the Portuguese Bowline. The Spanish Bowline is cute but a bowline on a bight is quicker, easier and probably safer. I found no references to a Canadian Bowline. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist, just means Google came up empty. I found a couple references to an Algonquin Bowline but nothing that pictured it or told how to tie one.

Great question!

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_{Father of
SR Powers, William T., S-178}

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Last Edited : 12/18/2007 8:10:27 AM GMT