Is it a hay hook? Ice hook? Meat hook?

[treasurehunter313]

Found this a few days back as well as an axe head and some other tools and knick knacks in the foundation of an old tool shed. The house was abandoned in the 1940s. I did electrolysis on it and the axe head. They were both heavily rusted and I wanted them at least half restored to display and I am extremely happy with how the axe turned out ( it's on my shelf in my room) and the hook is almost done. I know you shouldn't clean most items we find, but I'm not letting these sit rusty in my garage and they aren't of much value all rusted up. The metal is almost like a wire material. I would say it's a foot or so long. I have posted a few "what is this" posts this week and I honestly appreciate every reply I get. I have a lot to learn and at 23 I have many years of treasure hunting left in me! Haha

 

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[old digger]

Nice Finds, and restoration!
I am not sure exactly what your hook was used for but I do not think your hook was used as a hay hook. The end of the point is too short and too curved, unless it has been bent in.

 

[BosnMate]

Not a hay hook for sure, I've moved enough hay to know that hook would not work. Possibly used for meat or some specialty application, because it's old and hand made. Farmers have been known to build a tool to solve a problem they were having, and it's possible that we have no idea what he had in mind. I think the hook is hand made because I can see where the handle on your hook was forge welded. Also it's not made of steel, at least to me it doesn't look like steel, I think it's wrought iron by looking at the grain that's exposed where you have cleaned it. I don't think it's possible to buy wrought iron now, but when I was a kid, something like 65 years ago, re-bar and some nails were made of wrought iron. I remember trying to make a knife blade by pounding on a wrought iron nail cold, and the grain in the iron separated. I didn't know why that happened at the time, but wrought iron has to be worked hot, then it's excellent to work with and forge weld. Now days everything is one or another grade of steel. This link can explain wrought iron better than I can. Wrought iron - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[shawninNY]

Looks like it could be used for hooking pot/kettle handle from fire, I think meat hooks are a lot larger

 

[treasurehunter313]

Not a hay hook for sure, I've moved enough hay to know that hook would not work. Possibly used for meat or some specialty application, because it's old and hand made. Farmers have been known to build a tool to solve a problem they were having, and it's possible that we have no idea what he had in mind. I think the hook is hand made because I can see where the handle on your hook was forge welded. Also it's not made of steel, at least to me it doesn't look like steel, I think it's wrought iron by looking at the grain that's exposed where you have cleaned it. I don't think it's possible to buy wrought iron now, but when I was a kid, something like 65 years ago, re-bar and some nails were made of wrought iron. I remember trying to make a knife blade by pounding on a wrought iron nail cold, and the grain in the iron separated. I didn't know why that happened at the time, but wrought iron has to be worked hot, then it's excellent to work with and forge weld. Now days everything is one or another grade of steel. This link can explain wrought iron better than I can. Wrought iron - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

After reading that I think it is wrought iron! Thanks and yeah it may have been custom made by whoever used it for whatever purpose he needed it to serve so we may never know. I love it though and the restoration should be done today I'm looking forward to displaying it.

 

[bradyboy]

Manhole cover hook ?
Bradyboy

 

[DigIron2]

does kind of look like a large old pot-hook.whatever it is it sure cleaned up nice.

 

[treasurehunter313]

does kind of look like a large old pot-hook.whatever it is it sure cleaned up nice.

final cleanup... I love how it looks thanks for the responses

 

[SusanMN]

Looks like an ice hook to me..

 

[Moosemessier]

Looks like an ice hook to me..

Yep did research. Ice hook.

 

[treasurehunter313]

Yep did research. Ice hook.

It may be. The only reason I second guess that it is, is because the hook is made so close to the bar behind it. (Terrible wording) but the ones I see online the hook is much larger and is bent outward... Can you imagine trying to handle a large block of ice with it? I have no clue for sure but it's an awesome piece and I'm thankful I found it.



JS

 

[Moosemessier]

It may be. The only reason I second guess that it is, is because the hook is made so close to the bar behind it. (Terrible wording) but the ones I see online the hook is much larger and is bent outward... Can you imagine trying to handle a large block of ice with it? I have no clue for sure but it's an awesome piece and I'm thankful I found it. JS

Or hay but that other guy said no. Grab wood logs? Any grabber but I think ice.

 

[shawninNY]

Ice cube? What reference? Hook is way too small for ice!

 

[Moosemessier]

No ref just by pics. There are smaller hooks. You think hay then? Ice does also usually have different angle of hook. More open.

 

[shawninNY]

To sharp of a radius for ice or hay , it's either meat/fish or I'm strong on this one look up wire bag tie! You need a sharp radius hook to twist wire tie on burlap, or fence repair / securing barb wire to post etc!

 

[Moosemessier]

To sharp of a radius for ice or hay , it's either meat/fish or I'm strong on this one look up wire bag tie! You need a sharp radius hook to twist wire tie on burlap, or fence repair / securing barb wire to post etc!

A schooling took place - thank you.

 

[shawninNY]

I've tried to copy the image but it only copys text! Google wirebag tie tool, the ones now spin in your hand , but same principal applies !

 

[shawninNY]

No problem, This ones been bugging me I've been looking at every hook on the web since he posted!

 

[Moosemessier]

I've tried to copy the image but it only copys text! Google wirebag tie tool, the ones now spin in your hand , but same principal applies !

Ok I recant my position! I still think it is for ice. Hey tip could have broken and it was shortened

 

[treasurehunter313]

The wire bag tie tool looks like the same size shape and hook. This guy probably just made it for his wife to hang a basket on a wall and 70 years later we are all trying to figure out what it was used for haha.