This month’s mystery items are a collection of cobblers’ tools
known as shoulder sticks, which are used to burnish and set the edge of shoe
soles. As seen here, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. We found the answer in Alvin Sellens' Dictionary of American Hand Tools: A Pictorial Synopsis, an excellent resource for identifying a wide variety of tools. The ones shown here are made from wood, but it's not uncommon for them to be made from bone or even metal. However, when they're made of metal, they're called shoulder irons and are heated before use.
Shoulder sticks were used to burnish the welt and edge of the sole after the shoe was sewn, trimmed, and waxed. They were replaced in the 19th century by heated irons, which did the same job but more quickly. To enlarge the pic shown, click here. Click here to see Sellens' explanation and accompanying pics.
This month’s mystery items are a collection of cobblers’ tools
known as shoulder sticks, which are used to burnish and set the edge of shoe
soles. As seen here, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. We found the answer in Alvin Sellens' 
Shoulder sticks were used to burnish the welt and edge of the sole after the shoe was sewn, trimmed, and waxed. They were replaced in the 19th century by heated irons, which did the same job but more quickly. To enlarge the pic shown, click