Replies

1. 
   DanH | Apr 12, 2016 11:12pm | #1

   It looks a bit like a tool used in ice harvesting (off a lake).  (I see several vaguely similar when I Google images for "ice harvesting tools".)  But one would expect such a tool to have a T or loop handle (as the Googled ones do), to make it harder to get away from you.

2. 
   junkhound | Apr 12, 2016 11:12pm | #2

   DW uses one to aereate garden soil, may have other uses.

   Great-grandma used one to drill corn holes for planting.  She said she was took outa school in 3rd grade (1897) to plant corn in spring and then glean fields in the fall.  Can you imagine planting a few acres with one of those?   

3. 
   frost | Apr 13, 2016 05:40pm | #3

   Stripping shingles or flooring?

4. 
   DanH | Apr 13, 2016 07:01pm | #4

   The square cross-section of the tines, with the corners of the squares facing front-rear, makes it obvious that it's intended to be used for some sort of wedging operation.  If not ice then perhaps stone.  (The shape is clearly inappropriate for most scraping tasks.)

   That appears to be a wooden handle, though -- not particularly strong.  This would make it inappropriate for any heavy-duty levering operations.

   Of course, Herman Melville might have a different analysis.

5. 
   renosteinke | Apr 16, 2016 11:12am | #5

   Dyeing, Tanning, and Soap Making

   Those would be my wild guesses. All three involve tubs filled with stuff that eats metal for lunch.

6. 
   florida | Apr 20, 2016 04:11pm | #6

   I'd say it's an old ice fork for separting ice blocks.

7. 
   DanH | Apr 20, 2016 05:29pm | #7

   Ya gotta admit that it's the start of one heck of a Halloween costume.

8. 
   Mongo | Apr 23, 2016 04:38pm | #8

   ice fork

   Agree with those that said for harvesting ice.

   I have one like it back in Wisconsin, referred to there as a "fork bar". Have a second fork bar with four tines and a loop handle. Along with a couple versions of ice saws and a set of tines for hoisting the ice blocks.

1. 
   Mike_Mahan | Apr 23, 2016 04:55pm | #9

   Ice tools

   
2. 
   renosteinke | Apr 23, 2016 07:07pm | #10

   Speaking of ice ...

   Ever wish you had a tool to break apart ice cubes that get stuck together?

   I thought to make one .... let's see, do I want a point or a chisel end? Why not do both, add a handle, like a little hammer.....

   Wait. I just re-invented the welders' chipping hammer, available everywhere for $5. Go figure.