Boarding pike? What is it?

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

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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, 05:44 PM	#1
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.

1st September 2013, 06:24 AM	#2
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.