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Eel fork or cleave.

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    Posted 7 years ago

    Irishcolle…
    (137 items)

    Living near the River Shannon I have always been interested in old items relating to inland waterways. Here are 2 eel forks used to capture eels by jamming them between the serrated edges of the tines, both are blacksmith made.
    The first example with 4 tines was used by boatmen on the Royal Canal in Ireland although company rules forbid their use on barges. This pattern is believed to have been made by a blacksmith near St. Jame's Harbour in Dublin.
    The other example with 3 tines and the remains of a handle was used in the South-West area of Lough Ree in County Roscommon and has 2 apertures to remove the eels after pulling them through the teeth. This pattern was common in the midland area of Ireland and often had 4 tines.

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    Comments

    1. hotairfan hotairfan, 4 years ago
      My Dad had several of these tools and used them in his youth. He used to call them "eel gigs"
    2. yougottahavestuff yougottahavestuff, 4 years ago
      Hi Irish
      When I was a Kid a buddy and I went out to Gig eels!! It was dusk and the bats were just coming out!! I thru the Gig at one and took him down!!! Sheldon said your better at Gigging Bats then eels!!!
      Stuff
    3. Irishcollector. Irishcollector., 4 years ago
      Thanks for commenting, never heard the name gigs before. I've heard that the old barge men used to catch domestic ducks by the neck with an eel fork when the ducks strayed to close to them on the canal.
    4. yougottahavestuff yougottahavestuff, 4 years ago
      Years ago I worked with an Irishman that came from Ireland to work with us at the Quincy Shipyard. I asked if he would get me a C-Clamp. Shawn said it's a G-Clamp!! He's right it does look like a G not a C??????????????
      He was a great worker and he knew his
      Stuff
    5. Irishcollector. Irishcollector., 4 years ago
      Everyone I know calls them G clamps too.

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