Bronze whatsit

[johnsironsanctuary]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BRASS-WIRE-STRIPPING-TOOL-NAVY-/261041454872?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc7487f18

[lbgradwell]

It seems to be what is claimed - a cable stripper...

[johnsironsanctuary]

Bronze just seemed like a strange metal to choose for an edge tool.  OK, non sparking, but where is that needed?

[lbgradwell]

True, but the insulation cutter itself wouldn't be bronze - just the holder/handle.

[rusty]

Below street electrical manholes often accumulate methane gas.....
(vegatation falls into them and rots, nearby sewers leak, gas mains weep...)

Today we have meters to detect it, but back a bit it was generally safer to use non sparking tools when working in manholes if possible...

[Aunt Phil]

If you look close there are steel insert cutters opposite the V.

The tool is clamped onto the wire and wound down to the end in a spiral so the insulation can be wound off in a single piece.  It was originally designed and used in the era of fabric covered rubber insulation which in the best of days was a pure beach to strip.

The tool definitely predates plastics, and Bronze is a very common material in marine environments.

[Branson]

>Bronze is a very common material in marine environments.

Yep.  It's not about sparks, it's about rust, especially around salt water.