"T",Spike?

[kuger]

My boss found this on his ranch that dates back to the 1850's.He is thinking something to do with rope making?I dunno.It has a beveled edge like a dagger,is 8-9 inches long,and appears to be hand forged. dontknow

[Breezie]

Kuger, I wonder if it could be some type of planting dibber? The one pictured below is an antique wooden one, but the principle is the same. Neat find, Breezie

[BioProfessor]

Being metal and tapered, I'm going to go out on a limb and say a bung hole reamer.

Daryl

[watercolor]

I think Bio Professor's on the right track. . . it may have been used for reaming drilled peg holes on timber frames.

[kuger]

All good ideas folks!It could be either I guess?The "spike",looks a lot like "dagger",although,I know thats not what it is

[mrs.oroblanco]

I think it is a fish spike. (older one - they use them to kill the live fish that they bring in to the market).

Beth

[kuger]

Sounds logical,in the 1860's they had a market wagon,and there is a large lake on the property as well

[Breezie]

I think it is a fish spike. (older one - they use them to kill the live fish that they bring in to the market).

Beth

Or . . .. .VAMPIRES! Really cool find, Breezie

[mrs.oroblanco]

It is definitely cool!!

That is what they still do to this day. Down at the Fulton Fish Market, in NYC, Alaska and a lake up in Maine , I watched boats come in with fish that are alive - they are kept in live wells - its the law, that they cannot sell dead fish for human food. (all dead fish go for cat food and the like). They have this spot with tables and drains, etc., they put the live fish there, in front of a USDA inspector, and pierce it in a spot near the head, on the side almost by the gill. The fish dies instantly (at least the ones I saw), and then it gets to go into an big tub filled with ice and off they go to
market.

I think the one you have is pretty old - because they have actually been doing that for a lot of years. "Fresh Fish" has been popular for years and years and years, even before the USDA - from Lake Trout to sardines, to halibut, to clams to Bluefish, to any kind of fish. Nobody likes to eat fish that isn't as fresh as can be. Open-air markets with fresh fish have been around forever.

Cool find!!

Beth

[trikikiwi]

Otherwise known as an 'iki' used by Japanese fisherman.
I've not seen a T stick iki before.
I am well practised at the art of iki.

Just had the privilege of a fillet of gurnard for dinner - crumbed and lightly fried for about 2 minutes aside.
Yum

[kuger]

Wow,another interesting fact learned.Thanks!

[Breezie]

Kuger, I know nothing about a fish killing 'iki,' and learn something every day on TNet. With that being said, are all iki the same size (diameter) for killing larger or smaller fish? Yours looks to be a little on the fat side in comparison to the ones pictured. Breezie

[kuger]

I noticed that Breezie,this thing looks like a prison weapon!!If you found the shank without the "T",handle you would swear it was a dagger

[Breezie]

I noticed that Breezie,this thing looks like a prison weapon!!If you found the shank without the "T",handle you would swear it was a dagger

I've decided it is not a dibber because dibbers' base was totally round to open a round hole in the dirt for planting. As you said, yours is shaped like a dagger being beveled on the edges. I don't think it is an iki either because it is too big. You can kill a 300lb. sailfish will a slim/small iki. I don't know what yours is, but I think if we can keep it going, someone will recognize it. Breezie

[kuger]

I noticed that Breezie,this thing looks like a prison weapon!!If you found the shank without the "T",handle you would swear it was a dagger

I've decided it is not a dibber because dibbers' base was totally round to open a round hole in the dirt for planting. As you said, yours is shaped like a dagger being beveled on the edges. I don't think it is an iki either because it is too big. You can kill a 300lb. sailfish will a slim/small iki. I don't know what yours is, but I think if we can keep it going, someone will recognize it. Breezie

[Breezie]

I noticed that Breezie,this thing looks like a prison weapon!!If you found the shank without the "T",handle you would swear it was a dagger

I've decided it is not a dibber because dibbers' base was totally round to open a round hole in the dirt for planting. As you said, yours is shaped like a dagger being beveled on the edges. I don't think it is an iki either because it is too big. You can kill a 300lb. sailfish will a slim/small iki. I don't know what yours is, but I think if we can keep it going, someone will recognize it. Breezie

Google: T Handle Push Daggers

[timekiller]

Neat Item,I have looked at alot of reamers.Cause I think that is what it is. But all the ones dealing with wood seem to have a wood handle.(like first pics.)
So I think I'm going with a older style pipe reamer myself.Just fits better for the way yours is built.Stronger made.(second pic. but it's new).
Maybe it will help?
Take Care,
Pete

Item Pipe Reamer
Overall Length (In.) 5-3/4
Blade Material Hardened, Tempered Tool Steel
Handle Type T
Handle Material Hardened, Tempered Tool Steel
Function For Removing Burrs From Cut Pipe, Tubing And Conduit, Enlarging/Counter-sinking Holes In Sheet Metal, Plastic And Other Material

[kuger]

Thanks Breezie and Timekiller!!You may be onto something!!

[Old_Okie]

Could possibly be a fid (tool used for rope splicing), but does not look like any I have seen. They are pointed conical items, but don't usually have the T handle this does.