If the wood encased the line it would retain the heat. In this case the heat is dissipating into the clothespin into the open air. (think of the coils of an air conditioner or a radiator.

In actuality the wooden clothespin has little to do with it except for the ease of clipping it to the line to allow the heat to escape from it.

A pair of vise-scripts would do the same and probably better.

But, a Joel mentioned the clothespin comes from a time when folks used what they had available and many of us had quite a bit of McGuiver in us. Especially since these where our younger days of youth with more time than money in out pockets.....   

[QUOTE=wdwrkr4] If they work, I think I might have some CNC'd from billet and have them powdercoated![/QUOTE]

Me thinks me smellz a new EBAY item bout ta be born......