The Long Arm Grabber: A Simple yet Effective Tool for Book Retrieval

When it comes to retrieving books from high shelves or tight spaces, a simple and effective tool can make all the difference. One such tool is the long arm grabber, which requires very little in terms of materials and construction. Made with a sinew cord and two ash laths, this instrument is designed to help you retrieve books with ease.

The long arm grabber consists of an 8-foot-long pine stick, an inch square in cross-section, which serves as the arm. Attached to one end of the arm are two pieces of ash lath, each an inch and a half wide and a quarter of an inch thick, which form the thumb and finger. The sinew cord, about the size of a small goosequill, has a loop at one end and is used to retrieve books.

To use the long arm grabber, simply place one hand into the loop and draw the sinew straight down the side of the arm. Then, enter the end of the finger between the book you want to retrieve and the next book on its shelf. The knots on the sinew cord will help keep it tight and close to the side of the arm as you take it down hand over hand.

As you draw out the book, turn the instrument a quarter round so that the book lies flat and rests on its side upon the under lath or finger. Then, draw the string or sinew tight, which will cause the thumb and finger to pinch the book strongly, allowing you to easily retrieve it.

The long arm grabber is a versatile tool that can be used for books of all sizes, from duodecimo to octavo. The flexible laths allow you to adjust the width of the instrument to accommodate thicker or thinner books, making it easy to retrieve even the most hard-to-reach volumes.

With a little practice, you'll become an expert at using the long arm grabber to retrieve your favorite books. So next time you're struggling to reach that elusive volume on your shelf, give this simple yet effective tool a try and see how it can make book retrieval a breeze!

Long arm grabber