Hookaroon/Pickaroon recommendation

JRobyn · Jan 6, 2017

My wife and her dad do most of the firewood handling around here. I've heard y'all's comments about the immense usefulness of a Pickaroon, so figured I'd get her one (and some tongs). So what is a good one? I've always had good experience with Fiskars stuff; is this one a good choice?

Hookaroon (28")

I like the hardened head, fiber handle, and lifetime warranty.

turnkey4099 · Jan 6, 2017

I am happpy with myh Log Rite, tube steel handle and a round spike. The spike has a slight hook back towards the operator so it doesn't take a hard swing to hook a chunk.

Never tried the longer hook like on the Fiskars (I didn't even know they had one) but it looks more awkward than the LogRite.

Basically, ANY hookeroon will be appreciated as even a poor out would be an outstanding tool when doing firewood.

motownbrowne · Jan 6, 2017

I haven't used a Fiskars, but I've used a couple other models. The logrite is my absolute favorite. Seriously a great tool. Not much to break, but they sell replacement tips at a very reasonable price. They also sell them painted orange and with Stihl written on them. Not much more than what they want for the Fiskars. I have the 30". There isn't a single thing I'd change about it.

I have one of their 30" mill special cant hooks also. Great tool.

oosik · Jan 6, 2017

Never used anything quite like that - alway used a peavey.

bcp · Jan 6, 2017

Maybe check out a pole, too.

and

pike pole - YouTube

Bruce

JPRambo · Jan 6, 2017

I got a fiskars for Christmas. I have not had a reason to use it yet. I will be going to my Georgia property in March. I will take it to see how well it works.

s219 · Jan 6, 2017

This place is great for classic logging tools made in the USA:

Peavey Manufacturing Company - Pickeroons

I have one of their cant hooks and it's a fine tool.

In case you're wondering, the well known "peavey" tool got it's name from this company.

dickfoster · Jan 6, 2017

JRobyn said:
My wife and her dad do most of the firewood handling around here. I've heard y'all's comments about the immense usefulness of a Pickaroon, so figured I'd get her one (and some tongs). So what is a good one? I've always had good experience with Fiskars stuff; is this one a good choice?

Hookaroon (28")

I like the hardened head, fiber handle, and lifetime warranty.

I've got the Council tool and I've never had a complaint with it.

Comfortable to use and just the right weight. It takes all the stoop and bend out of handling wood. For a Peavey/Cant Hook I have a Woodchuck but I just use it for rolling and jacking logs.

caver · Jan 8, 2017

FWIW I bought a Logrite peavey and that should have been my first purchase instead of the farm store one a bought first. Made in USA too.

motownbrowne · Jan 8, 2017

caver said:
FWIW I bought a Logrite peavey and that should have been my first purchase instead of the farm store one a bought first. Made in USA too.

Yep, logrite makes a great product. I've used the peavey and council tool pickaroon, and they are heavy and clumsy compared to the logrite. Logrite stuff is super durable, made in the USA, painted bright blue so it's almost impossible to lose in the woods, and the handles never break.

Creamer · Jan 8, 2017

I watch the videos with the pickeroon and it seems that it is a struggle getting the wood unhooked. Is this real? It looks really frustrating.

jerrybob · Jan 8, 2017

I use a pickeroon that is probably 50 years old.....works great. Getting the wood unhooked is a simple jerk of the handle. Sure beats bending over a thousand times when picking up or stacking wood.

Creamer · Jan 8, 2017

I keep thinking about one as that bending over is getting tougher all the time.

motownbrowne · Jan 8, 2017

Creamer said:
I watch the videos with the pickeroon and it seems that it is a struggle getting the wood unhooked. Is this real? It looks really frustrating.

It takes finesse. The goal is to swing just had enough to lodge the tip deep enough to achieve the task at hand and not be stuck when you've moved the wood. It doesn't with perfectly every time, but once you get the hang of it, it's a great tool.

JRobyn · Jan 8, 2017

I'm convinced. LogRite it is. Thanks fellas!

atsah · Jan 8, 2017

s219 said:
This place is great for classic logging tools made in the USA:

Peavey Manufacturing Company - Pickeroons

I have one of their cant hooks and it's a fine tool.

In case you're wondering, the well known "peavey" tool got it's name from this company.

This is where I buy mine, I have several in different lengths, very well made.. They supply all the local paper mills..

atsah · Jan 8, 2017

Creamer said:
I watch the videos with the pickeroon and it seems that it is a struggle getting the wood unhooked. Is this real? It looks really frustrating.

It really isn't, if it's made right, all you do is push down on the handle, the tool can't be to sharp, it needs to be blunt or it goes to far into green wood..

The hookaroon handle is not for me, an axe handle with a bit of a curve is easier and works way better..

JRobyn · Jan 30, 2017

Got the LogRite, and the Timber Tuff tongs - Amazon.com: Timber Tuff TMW-4 Log Tongs: Home Improvement The Hookaroon is the blue one with a slightly smaller diameter handle and the smaller, new design "tooth". Has a very good "feel". Weight and balance are good; good grip with the foam-covered handle.

Y'all are absolutely right about both technique and frustration releasing it if the technique is off. She hasn't quite mastered the technique yet, so she hasn't been overwhelmed with joy on the Hookaroon. It complicates things that she's working a variety of wood - fresh-cut hickory, dry hickory, cedar, poplar, that are very different in hardness.

OTOH, she absolutely LOVES the tongs. Perfect for picking up wet, dirty rounds out of the leaves and lifting them up onto the splitter.

newbury · Jan 30, 2017

I've a cant hook, a peavey and a timberjack. The timberjack comes in handy when I want to cut logs smaller because it let's me easily lift an end. When moving logs around to get them on the mill I often used both the cant hook and peavey (one in each hand) to "walk" the log.

motownbrowne · Jan 30, 2017

JRobyn said:
Got the LogRite, and the Timber Tuff tongs - Amazon.com: Timber Tuff TMW-4 Log Tongs: Home Improvement The Hookaroon is the blue one with a slightly smaller diameter handle and the smaller, new design "tooth". Has a very good "feel". Weight and balance are good; good grip with the foam-covered handle.

Y'all are absolutely right about both technique and frustration releasing it if the technique is off. She hasn't quite mastered the technique yet, so she hasn't been overwhelmed with joy on the Hookaroon. It complicates things that she's working a variety of wood - fresh-cut hickory, dry hickory, cedar, poplar, that are very different in hardness.

OTOH, she absolutely LOVES the tongs. Perfect for picking up wet, dirty rounds out of the leaves and lifting them up onto the splitter.

Just a word of caution on the hookaroon. One very important part of learning the technique is to realize that you're wielding a very sharp tool and you're swinging it with enough force to lodge it into a chunk of wood. That, of course is more than enough force to sink the thing into your calf. I've never injured myself, but I've had a couple of glancing blows that were close calls. Just don't forget what's going on, and pay attention.

It does take some playing around to get the hang of them, but they are a super handy tool. One tip would be to experiment with sticking the point not just in the end grain, but also try going through the bark. Try different angles too. Also, hickory is a tough wood to hook. Hard and bouncy. Soft wood is definitely easier.