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Name This Tool

By Chuck Cage

post-wtf.jpg

Brad posted a picture of this tool to the Toolmonger Flickr photo pool hoping that some of you Toolmongers could help identify it.  My first guess: it’s a stake to hold a rain gauge or other apparatus in the ground.

Have a better idea?  Share with us in comments!

The Larger Photo [Flickr]


This entry was posted on Thursday, May 31st, 2007 at 10:28 am and is filed under Name This Tool. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

14 Responses to “Name This Tool”

  1. l_bilyk Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 10:30 am

    Shish kebab skewer?

  2. geloslob Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 10:44 am

    The tool formerly known as “Prince”

  3. Leslie Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 10:46 am

    Obviously the roaster pan isn’t part of what we’re identifying, but is the star a decorative element on it, or something that just happened to be close enough to get blurred into it in the picture?

  4. Chuck Cage Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 10:47 am

    geloslob: Nice.

  5. Chuck Cage Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 10:48 am

    Leslie: I figured the star was just in the picture with it, but maybe Brad’ll stop by and clarify for us.

  6. Leslie Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 11:43 am

    I checked his Flikr photos (after joining the group) and found that the star is definitely not a part of it. Here’s another pic that he posted, no background object, different angle. I still don’t have a clue.

    http://farm1.static.flickr.com/254/523197914_099cbdb181.jpg

  7. l_bilyk Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 11:48 am

    lol @ geloslob

  8. Randy Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 12:37 pm

    After looking at the other picture mentioned above, I’m thinking it might be some kind of butchering tool. It looks like you could grip the spike with the hook between your index and middle finger and use the rounded end as a scoop. Stick, pull cut, scoop? Sounds a little gruesome, but maybe. Could be for corn or some other vegetable too.

    Just guessing.

  9. KaiserM715 Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 12:50 pm

    I will offer my take, based on my recollection of mining history. It is a candle holder, often used by underground miners before more modern lighting. The sharp end (opposite of the loop handle) is jabbed into the wooden timbers of the mineshaft. The candle is placed in the holder located 1/3 of the way down the body.

  10. KaiserM715 Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 12:54 pm

    Here is a link that shows some other examples (along with several oil lamps):
    http://miningartifactsii.homestead.com/MiscLamps.html

  11. Chuck Cage Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 1:02 pm

    Kaiser: I think you may be on to something there…

  12. Brad Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 1:07 pm

    HOLY CRAP!!! That’s gotta be it. The star is the holder from a turkey frying kit. Pic was taken during the Thanksgiving holiday. Fried turkey… Yum. Thanks a ton Kaiser!

  13. Jim Says:
    May 31st, 2007 at 6:14 pm

    Having spent a bunch of hours reading about and researching the mining history of the Sierra Nevada range, I’d agree with KaiserM715. Definitely a candle holder for miners.

  14. Tim Underwood Says:
    June 1st, 2007 at 1:22 am

    That’s a sticking tommy. Early miner’s candle holder. Pointy end sticks into a support beam or it hangs from the hook. Candle goes into the loop. usually made in one piece with some being decorated with punches/stamps.

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