CarolC -

I know that's a dowel scraper 'cause I just made the whole thing up for myself about 9 or 10 hours ago.

Actually, I was sort of hoping it might stimulate someone to look at which "edges" of the thingy might be tapered or slanted or flattened in the manner of similar known tools. It would help to identify the "working surfaces" of the thing so that more "directed" searches might be fruitful.

I figured the bit about using it for a toothpick recycler would be enough of a clue so most people wouldn't take it too seriously.

(Cause "recyling" wasn't heard of back then. You just kept usin' it until it was beyond repair, and then you used the pieces for something else. "Re-using" was expected - unlike in today's throw away culture - so it wouldn't be mentioned.)

John