Reverse the position of the two vertical pieces (containing the string  
holders).  That will put the string attachments on the outside which  
will tighten the strings considerably. jj

Then, are there tiny groves in the bottoms of the pointy pieces.

If so the strings placed in those would be really tight, and would be  
way down at the bottom and cut a piece of cheese all the way through  
to the cutting board.

Pure speculation from mediocre photos.

--Scott

On Nov 13, 2009, at 3:35 PM, Thomas Conroy wrote:

> Galoots:
>
>> ::This whatsit turned up in a bindery, but a query on Jeff
>>
>> ::Peachey's blog brought no recognition from bookbinders:
>> ::
>> ::http://jeffpeachey.wordpress.com/
>
> To me, what seems most mysterious about it is that the blocks  
> holding the strings can't be fixed in place, and the strings are  
> slack. This is why I don't think it could actually have been used  
> for slicing anything, though it certainly looks like that. In fact,  
> I can't think of anything except a Hawaiian guitar where "slack- 
> string" would be appropriate description, and even in that case it  
> is probably less description than name. Still bemused.
>
> Tom Conroy
>
>
>
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-------------------------------------------------
Scott Stager
Columbia Missouri

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