this post was submitted on 08 Mar 2026
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What is this thing?

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[–] bstix@feddit.dk 2 points 5 days ago

Dd you find out what it is?

I'm pretty sure I've had or used one before, but I don't remember where. The top part is for securing a strap or rubber band. As you can see from the wear it's exposed during use, while the bottom is not. The stick has a shape that could be sown into something. My guess is that it is used to close a bag or securing a tarp to a trailer or the hood for a baby pram/stroller. Something to be used outdoors anyway.

[–] chemical_cutthroat@lemmy.world 29 points 1 week ago

A very sturdy IUD.

[–] espentan@lemmy.world 18 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 3 points 1 week ago

I'm thinking it's this sort of thing but not specifically. It looks like you insert it into a hole to undo a clip, such as to access the detector you link or to pop open a box to replace the toilet paper in a restaurant toilet or anything where you want something to keep out the kids but don't need full lock security.

Specifically I haven't seen and haven't searched up anything quite like this, but it does have that vibe to it.

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I think it's for fixing a tire.

[–] Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Are you thinking tire lever for a bicycle?

Looks too thick fore that, but does look like a levering tool of some sort.

[–] grue@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (3 children)

More like a tool for inserting a tire plug in an automobile tire, maybe, but it's not quite the right shape for that either. (Or at least, if it is that, it's a really cheap one because usually they're made of metal.)

[–] Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Yea, its not that, too thick/square, handle too small, etc. You'd never get a plug in with it (I've done thousands of them - tires are really tough). But I get how it looks like a plug tool.

Looks like some kind of levering tool.

As an aside, check out the screw-type tire plugs available today (basically a plastic #8 screw with glue on it). Way easier than the traditional plugs and work just as well.

[–] Zamboni_Driver@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 week ago

No, it's not that.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

tire plug? what are they doing with those pretzels. patch? stem? i am so confused. i need more pretzels

i am growing to hate ai. it's not bringing me enough pretzels

[–] grue@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The "pretzels" are the tire plugs. They're actually sticky rubber strips. You poke them into the tire, then pull the tool out quickly so that the plug stays behind:

(Also, I'm aware that you were probably just joking, but I figured somebody reading this might be genuinely curious so I gave a sincere reply anyway.)

[–] anomnom@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago

Just a note for those still curious, after you insert it and it looks like the pic above, you’re supposed to trim it flush with a razor blade.

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 1 points 1 week ago

That was my first thought, although it's the first time I saw one with more than one opening.

[–] phoenixz@lemmy.ca 7 points 1 week ago

Oh man did I read that title wrong, I had to do a double take

[–] Peppycito@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago

Could be some weird packaging thing. I think I've seen something like this when I bought a pack of ratchet straps.

[–] Shadow@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 week ago

Might be a landscaping stake