Hand-held wooden tools, comprising a cylindrical head with a semi-circular groove cut along its length attached to a thin handle, designed to pass serving (typically spunyarn or twine) around a rope. To facilitate serving, a method of protecting rope ends from damage by wrapping them in yarn or twine, the rope is fitted into the tool's groove and the yarn/twine is wound tightly around its head and handle. As the tool is rotated around the rope, the serving material is fed in such a way that allows it to be kept taut thus ensuring maximum tightness. Resembling a mallet, this tool is most often used by ship crews to manage rope while sailing.
