pike pole

American  

noun

1. (in lumbering) a long pole with a metal point and a fixed hook, for catching and guiding logs.

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Etymology

Origin of pike pole

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

Example Sentences

Luis Hernandez starts in the cab, while Jordan St. John, on the deck, gives hand signals and uses a pike pole — a long pole with a dagger point — to guide the log in.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 15, 2023

Ilett maneuvered a pike pole in the water to pull the octopus over to the boat.

From The Guardian • Dec. 12, 2019

He's the fastest, coolest hand that ever balanced a pike pole or rode a log.

From Kindred of the Dust by Kyne, Peter B. (Peter Bernard)

After a few moments, however, the pike pole floated to the surface, but the man's body, drained, no doubt, of its buoyant fluids, remained on the deck.

From The Grain Ship by Robertson, Morgan

The guide, in the meantime, was experimenting with the boulder, inserting a pike pole here and there in an effort to move the big stone.

From The Pony Rider Boys in New Mexico Or, the End of the Silver Trail by Patchin, Frank Gee