My in laws got me a beautiful Council Tool 150 Hookeroon, 36" for Christmas. Father in law was telling me that I should sharpen the point some, as it's pretty blunt right now. Thoughts? Do you use one? While it looks like it can be a very handy tool, I'm wondering how I should incorporate it while I'm cutting or splitting. HTML: http://www.counciltool.com/product.asp?pg=product&item=150
As for sharpness, it depends on what works for you on a given day in a given piece of wood. I have found that sharp pointed hooks and picks behave different than blunt ones. A point that sticks and holds in one piece of wood might be useless on another. I have even seen with the same piece of wood, frozen one day and thawed the next. A sharp pointed tool wouldn't stick when frozen, it would come right out (as opposed to bouncing off). I also had some blunt pointed hooks, they stuck like charms in the frozen log. Best I could figure is because they shredded their way in and had something to grab. Other times my blunt pointed hooks have been unable to penetrate rounds and they bounced off. So I wouldn't tell you one way or another to sharpen it or not. Just depends on the wood and the day. As for using one, you will figure it out what works for you pretty quick. They are great for pulling rounds about and standing them up so that they can be rolled. You will find yourself able to get a 25-30" diameter round unto its side. The pickaroon/hookaroon lengthens your reach if you need to pull on something or unload. Your back will be much happier with you.
Good info. While I was reading your post, it quickly occurred to me that I sure should have used it today while rolling around some 24"+ white oak rounds. Maybe next time. I guess I could try it as is for a bit and determine if it does a good enough job.
