Mystery tools

**Bony** · Aug 27, 2018, 08:43 PM

Number one. I think it's used for cutting peat.

Number two. Possibly intended to manipulate pipes into place for joining lengths together when laying pipelines?

I don't have any further info as I've been asked about the items I haven't actually seen them.

If you actually know please share, although I'd prefer not have hundreds of guesses.

Bony

**mklotz** · Aug 28, 2018, 08:12 AM

While No. 1 could be for peat, it looks more like an ice saw from the days when blocks were cut from lakes in the winter and stored to be sold for use in refrigerators.

If you type "ice saw" into Google images you'll find a picture that looks almost exactly like the one you show.

Perhaps it's an ice saw that was repurposed for peat-cutting at some point but, at least here in the USA where there is no peat-cutting, it would be an ice saw.

I'm at a loss for No. 2. Have you tried to do a Google "search by image" yet?

**suther51** · Aug 28, 2018, 12:28 PM

#2 just a guess... screw assisted spanner wrench??? Use screw against solid footing to break "nut" loose????
Eric

**1mchorn@gmail.com** · Aug 28, 2018, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by mklotz

While No. 1 could be for peat, it looks more like an ice saw from the days when blocks were cut from lakes in the winter and stored to be sold for use in refrigerators.

If you type "ice saw" into Google images you'll find a picture that looks almost exactly like the one you show.

Perhaps it's an ice saw that was repurposed for peat-cutting at some point but, at least here in the USA where there is no peat-cutting, it would be an ice saw.

I'm at a loss for No. 2. Have you tried to do a Google "search by image" yet?

#1 is a hay saw, Used to cut loose hay in a stack so that you can feed live stock. I have used one on cold winter days
Marvin

**suther51** · Aug 28, 2018, 11:17 AM

# 1 is for cutting hay that has been mowed-away loose. Nearly impossible to get with a pitchfork with out cutting away what was needed. Have one at home my dad used when he lived at home on the farm in Eaton ny. The strands of hay would interlock into a mat.
Eric

**Okapi** · Sep 1, 2018, 02:50 AM

Originally Posted by suther51

# 1 is for cutting hay that has been mowed-away loose. Nearly impossible to get with a pitchfork with out cutting away what was needed. Have one at home my dad used when he lived at home on the farm in Eaton ny. The strands of hay would interlock into a mat.
Eric

We use it for that purpose too in Switzerland about 30-40 years ago in my mind for last time I've seen it, now it's used in demonstrations of old farming machinery etc…

**mklotz** · Aug 28, 2018, 11:24 AM

Interesting. Apparently, it would be both a hay and an ice saw according to this...

https://getagripandmore.com/products...ant=1018200881

If you Google "hay saw" or "ice saw" you can find the same picture.

**suther51** · Aug 28, 2018, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by mklotz

Interesting. Apparently, it would be both a hay and an ice saw according to this...

https://getagripandmore.com/products...ant=1018200881

If you Google "hay saw" or "ice saw" you can find the same picture.

Ice saws teeth are shaped much like a hand rip saw for wood, slight positive rake and square across the face. Hay knives have a negative rake and are sharpened as a knife would be. The offset handles are a dead giveaway also. This is so that a vertical face can be cut in the hay giving clearance for hands and handles. Out side of these differences they do indeed look very much the same.
Also ice saws were used in a standing position and as such were typically equipped with very log handles with a wooden "t" bar for a two handed grip. This was untill the gas powered ice saw were introduced. I don't have any but there must be some good old pictures of power ice saw out there.
Eric

**motorhead** · Jan 23, 2025, 02:04 PM

How right you are! I brought one of these home to ask my dad what it was. Be said it was for cutting loose hay out of the barn and for cutting ice out of ponds and rivers. He grew up using them (born in 1928).