Hello anyone know the antique Saxony spinning wheel

[antique]

Hi, I am wondering if the knob on the left of my spinning wheel on my profile picture has anything to do with tension adjustment or is it just decoration? It slightly twists, but I can't imagine it is connected to anything.

[Tia]

Here is a good article on setting the tension on different types of wheels.

Hope that helps.

[mullerslanefarm]

If this is a working wheel (instead of decorative wheel), then it is the tensionor.

It should be able to completely come off, allowing the mother of all to come off.

This is the back of a late 1700's Irish style Saxon wheel. It has the same knob yours does:



With the knob turned all the way out and the Mother of All off: