Objects Database

Tools of the trade - Extractors

Accession Number

1229.2015.1(a-c)

Object Name

Tools of the trade - Extractors

Created

08/04/2015

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

08/04/2015

Brief Description

Three tools used for extracting and cleaning on rock faces.

Materials

metal, plastic

Dimensions

a - 31(l) x 5(w) cms b-18.5 (l) x 9 (circ) cms c- 29(l) x 5.5 ( circ)

Number Of Objects

3

Colour

silver

Maker

Bill Skidmore

Provenance

Bill Skidmore was a draughtsman in the Gladgow shipyards by all accounts, but his other 'trade' was rock climbing and the gear that went with it, much of which he made himself as with the three fabulous items we have here in the collection.
The one on the left in picture 1 opposite is made from an old car aerial, so that it can be extended, and was used for extracting nuts/ chocs if they got jammed or stuck in cracks.
The middle one is for extracting Friends if they got jammed - there are commercial versions of these, but Bill's is just as good and seems to be made partly from an old tent pole.
The third big 'hooky thing' is for cleaning dirt out of cracks in the rock which is often required when doing first ascents of climbs and Bill did plenty of those in his time with a string of first ascents back in the 1960's and 70's, particularly on the Isle of Arran and often in the company of his climbing companion and longtime friend, Bob Richardson.
Bill passed away in 2015 and his partner, Mary Henery, kindly donated these 'tools of the trade' to our collection along with with lots of other goodies - thanks Mary.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mary Henery

Acquisition Date

08/04/2015

Condition Check Date

08/04/2015

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

08/04/2015

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