T&J Holloway wrote:

>     I agree that those on the side of "it's only decorative" are also 
> speculating

I continue to struggle with the notion that something
so small and (to me eye) ugly and vestigial is
"decorative"; indeed, given the beauty of some
of the shaping and carving on saw handles at the period
in question, it almost
seems an insult to the makers' proven abilities.

If those guys had meant the nib to be decorative,
it would be *much* prettier.

Which leaves me believing none of the theories :-(

    BugBear
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