Anyone know what this is?

[EXKid]

I figure it’s a slick perhaps for boat building, but not sure. A buddy of mine gave it to me, was his father in-law’s. He had it on the wall as decoration.

 

[Skymaster]

sure looks like it could br a tamping iron

 

[TENdriver]

sure looks like it could br a tamping iron

What’s a tamping iron and how is it used?

 

[Jeff]

Dimensions of your mystery tool would be helpful along with better pictures.

 

[gmakra]

It could be a bark peeler.

 

[Skymaster]

sure looks like it could br a tamping iron

Basically a fat chisel blunted to pack oakum ( shredded rope fibers treated with pitch/tar like liquid, packed into the gaps in the planking to seal out water

 

[Bill Clemmons]

Not a slick. Appears to be some kind of shop made turning tool.

 

[EXKid]

Pretty sure it isn’t a turning tool. No tool rest marks or anything. Hand forged. Iron is 8” long, 1 3/4” wide, and that leverage curve at the business end is about 1 1/2” long. 24” overall with a big bulbous end. The handle looks secondary to me though. Definitely looks like a dig and pry type of tool though.

 

[Jim M.]

I think Jack may have nailed it. I remember seeing tools similar that used to pack oakum on Chesapeake workboats when I was a kid playing around in my uncle's boatyard.

 

[Jeff]

Maybe Jack is right. I couldn't find a tamping iron for packing oakum but found similar items to do the same thing (called caulking irons).

 

[EXKid]

After watching those vids, i’m leaning towards the debarker. I think if fits better into that sort of area.