On May 31, 6:57*am, --riverman wrote:

And saying it IS used for something like stalks of wheat, then
pointing out that, as such, it is a flawed instrument, is the
admirably humorous epitome of a strawman argument. :-)

Not really, since at least two replies offered that possibility, but
anyways, since it was found on the beach and looks traditional but not
"old", I wonder if it is something used either on a traditional
fishing boat (net holder?) or a traditional sailing boat (holder for
furled sails?). I looked a little bit but couldn't find anything. If
it is holding something that needs to be snug but not super-tight,
Richard's idea of a side-access slot might be unsafe getting knocked
about on the seas.

Jon.

Jon.