Know the difference between a peavey and a pike?

[oldRoger]

I was listening to the clueless and the venial in DC “stimulating” the economy while depressing the citizens, and I started to think about what my Grandfathers would have said. Clueless wasn’t in their vocabulary.

One would have said: “They wouldn’t know a peavey from a pike” (hint not a fish).
The other would have said: “They wouldn’t know a hawk from a handsaw” (hint no feathers, but may involve feathering).
A great uncle would have said: “They don’t know discs from drags”.
I don’t remember the references to harness parts so I can’t quote those.
Anyone remember more?
Alliteration is necessary

 

[oldRoger]

I was listening to the clueless and the venial in DC “stimulating” the economy while depressing the citizens, and I started to think about what my Grandfathers would have said. Clueless wasn’t in their vocabulary.

One would have said: “They wouldn’t know a peavey from a pike” (hint not a fish).
The other would have said: “They wouldn’t know a hawk from a handsaw” (hint no feathers, but may involve feathering).
A great uncle would have said: “They don’t know discs from drags”.
I don’t remember the references to harness parts so I can’t quote those.
Anyone remember more?
Alliteration is necessary

 

[paladin42]

Doesn't know $hit from Shinola

 

[29aholic]

a** from a hole in the ground

 

[rewster]

My Father used, "Wouldn't know his *** from his elbow!"

 

[rundownfid]

OldRoger;
What is the difference between a Peavey and a cant hook. I seem to remember my granddad, who was a sawmill operator, using a canthook to move logs, but others seem to call the same thing a peavey? Regional difference?

 

[LeBur]

...a crupper from a curb bit.

 

[john traveler]

$hit from apple butter.

 

[silvercorvette]

I hope this doesn't cause a problem it explains the diffrence between shinola and the other stuff

 

[Wayne02]

I use one these which is a "log jack" I believe. Use it for levering up the end of a log so you can buck up the rounds without your saw hitting the dirt. Take the foot off and it becomes a cant hook.

I believe that "peavey" is/was a brand name of cant hooks and other logging tools? I've seen cant hooks with blunt ends, spike ends, and crow foot ends.

Pike pole and peavey

How did I do??

 

[rimfired]

Wouldn't know his left cheek from his right if he had one in each hand.

 

[roarindan]

don't know twice around a shovel handle.

 

[indiandave]

Wouldn't know how to pour water out of a boot even if the instructions were on the sole.

 

[oldRoger]

Wayne02 Good you are on the right track. The spike at the end of the peavey is similar to the pike pole, but much heavier. The peavey handle is heavier and shorter with a moveable hook. The longest I have seen is 6’. I am told that in the old days you went to a brawl with a peavey handle, only sissies used axe handles, pick handles for those who couldn’t decide.
The pike pole was used in the old days for rafting logs, slender handle up to 20 feet, but maybe 12-15’ would have been typical.
I think the essence of this was that anyone who had knowledge about clearing land or lumbering would instantly know the difference.
I didn’t get any takers on “hawk and handsaw”?????

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

I thought I knew-so I checked it out on the web. Turns out I didn't but here 'tis:
In one of literature's most famous quotes, Hamlet (the star of the play by the same name), apropos of his supposed insanity, declares "I am but mad north-northeast; when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw." (Meaning: He is only insane when the wind blows from North --> South, but sane when it blows the opposite direction) The reason for this puzzling metaphor is that "handsaw" was a misprint for "hernshaw," a young heron. If you could tell a hawk from a heron (its prey), you evidently had at least some of your wits (sanity) about you.

Equally understandable is the more recent explanation, that "handsaw" meant saw, and "hawk" meant the square board, with a handle on the back, on which a mason holds the mortar on as he spreads it on the wall. Naturally, anyone could tell this hawk from the carpenter's tool as easily as a hawk from a heron. Since it makes sense, and makes him sound sane either way, take your pick.

 

[oldRoger]

Jim; I saw an article some time ago about the bastardization of old Shakespearean lines. Lots of people read the plays but didn’t have a deep knowledge of the similes. Like many things I have lost the article.
Of course my paternal Grandfather was comparing the plasterer’s mortar board to a hand saw. In his opinion anyone who knew enough not to go looking for a left handed monkey wrench knew the difference between a “hawk and a handsaw”.
Roger

 

[trapper704]

A peavy has a spike in the end, a cant hook dosen't. Back in the 50's and 60's when I was around the little sawmills, that were everywhere aroud this end of the country. They used the peavys more on the mill ponds, and the cant hooks in the mills, working the logs onto and turning on the carriages.

 

[LTC]

Knows as much about (insert topic) as a pig does a parade.

LTC

 

[jbcap]

Can't pour p**s out of a boot, with the directions on the heel!