Boarding pike? What is it?

machinist · 29th August 2013, 03:10 AM

It looks a bit like a loggers pike pole.

M ELEY · 29th August 2013, 08:59 AM

Admittedly, many of these types do look like ankus/elephant goads, but I still think with the marking, general shape and from past examples I've seen, it's a gaff. Now a logging pike? That is a possibility.

Anyway, here is an example of what I'm talking about- 3rd example down.
http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhib...liswl02e.shtml

Now here's one that might be an elephant goad or it might be a gaff. You decide. I think the side langets, being a European/American afactation, could point to it being a gaff.
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedi...aval-boat-hook

kronckew · 29th August 2013, 05:44 PM

i'm persuaded it's a loggers pike point. they also used a point with a larger more open hook with a barb used to turn floating logs, that was called a 'peavey' or 'cant hook'. the pike hook was used not only for gaffing logs, but a logger that had fallen into the water could more easily haul himself out with the hook. a rope anchor point like the ring in the original post would be useful. google images show many similar 'loggers pike pole', along with the normal off topic stuff unrelated to the search

.

two points: (plus a fireman's pike pole after them)

edited: added a modern fireman's pike with fibreglass pole, note the attachment point for a rope. this may then be a firefighter's tool. a bit more upmarket than a loggers, and probably an early one at that. the 'hook' of fireman's ubiquitous tools, the hook and ladder.

M ELEY · 1st September 2013, 06:24 AM

Hmmm, yes, it still could be a logger's pike, but the examples shown have ends that could be deeply embedded in a pole for moving heavy logs. Our example just has a smooth tang and probably, as already noted by trenchwarfare, couldn't pull much weight. As a simple gaff hook spike, it would have been used mostly to retreive lost lines and to pull a guide rope over for securing a craft.

29th August 2013, 08:59 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Admittedly, many of these types do look like ankus/elephant goads, but I still think with the marking, general shape and from past examples I've seen, it's a gaff. Now a logging pike? That is a possibility. Anyway, here is an example of what I'm talking about- 3rd example down. http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhib...liswl02e.shtml Now here's one that might be an elephant goad or it might be a gaff. You decide. I think the side langets, being a European/American afactation, could point to it being a gaff. http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedi...aval-boat-hook Last edited by M ELEY; 29th August 2013 at 10:53 AM.

29th August 2013, 05:44 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	i'm persuaded it's a loggers pike point. they also used a point with a larger more open hook with a barb used to turn floating logs, that was called a 'peavey' or 'cant hook'. the pike hook was used not only for gaffing logs, but a logger that had fallen into the water could more easily haul himself out with the hook. a rope anchor point like the ring in the original post would be useful. google images show many similar 'loggers pike pole', along with the normal off topic stuff unrelated to the search . two points: (plus a fireman's pike pole after them) edited: added a modern fireman's pike with fibreglass pole, note the attachment point for a rope. this may then be a firefighter's tool. a bit more upmarket than a loggers, and probably an early one at that. the 'hook' of fireman's ubiquitous tools, the hook and ladder. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 29th August 2013 at 06:09 PM.

29th August 2013, 03:10 AM	#1
machinist Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 93	It looks a bit like a loggers pike pole.

1st September 2013, 06:24 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Hmmm, yes, it still could be a logger's pike, but the examples shown have ends that could be deeply embedded in a pole for moving heavy logs. Our example just has a smooth tang and probably, as already noted by trenchwarfare, couldn't pull much weight. As a simple gaff hook spike, it would have been used mostly to retreive lost lines and to pull a guide rope over for securing a craft.