We were sorting through the house of a deceαsed family friend and found this object.

We eventually discovered the object was an old maritime tool called a “fid,” once essential on sailing ships. Sailors used it to separate rope fibers, splice lines, and handle stubborn knots—tasks that could mean the difference between safety and disaster. Holding it made us imagine rough hands, salt-soaked decks, and storms endured with the help of such a simple tool.