Woodworking reamer?

[toolmiser]

I picked this up at a garage sale last summer.  I paid a couple bucks for it.  I suspect it's a reamer for wood.  Obviously the wooden part is broken off, and if I can identify it and see what it originally looked like, hopefully I can reproduce the rest of it.  The exposed metal is about 6" long and would bore about 3/4" diameter.  All suggestions would be appreciated, and if someone has a picture of a complete tool that would be like icing on the cake. 

Thanks again

[Northwoods]

Are you thinking that it had a knob--or a T handle?  It is totally cool!

[toolmiser]

I have no idea, the previous owner said it came off a farm, he also thought it was pretty interesting.  I tried woodworking reamer on google and didn't find anything like this.  It would be nice to know it's purpose, and to rebuild the wooden part. 

[Sudsy]

Bung removal tool

[chips]

Possibly a twisted insert type pike pole.  If you search google for "insert type pike pole" there are some similar tools but none are twisted.  I find the more traditional looking ones every now and then that have the spike and hook.  Most have had straight spikes but some have been twisted like the one in your picture.

[chips]

Here is a listing for one that isn't twisted. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vntg-Hand-Forged-Maine-InsertType-Pick-Pike-Pole-End-HF-Bands-River-Driver-Tool-/191793557345

[toolmiser]

The "pike pole" might explain why the handles seem to get broken off.  So do you think it's for a bung remover, a pike pole to push things (twist purely decorative), or a bung remover?  I don't see how a pole would give you much twisting ability.

Just thinking out loud.  I don't have much of a clue.  Never did, never will.

[turnnut]

 a pike pole has to be able to be removed quickly, with the spiral, it would hamper the removal.

 also, just thinking with you.

[Yadda]

How about the ground end of an umbrella pole?

[blackoak]

Could that be a broken pitch fork? The spiral pointed end should be inside the handle with the tines attached to the other end the tines got broken off and are no longer a part of it and someone just stuck it back like that. I have seen some very old hand forged forks that were made like that with that type of tang that screwed in to the handle. Can you pull it out of the wood ? It may tell the tale.

[toolmiser]

I tried tapping it out of the wood, and it won't go easily.  Don't want to force just yet.  I can see the other end, and it looks like a square end, maybe a tapered tang, but I doubt it.  Also I hadn't noticed but the initials J S are stamped into the metal just past the "handle" on two sides.  Maybe a maker, or an owner. 

Maybe I should try and see if it will really ream?  I really looks like a type of bolt extractor, but really doubt it was.

[JohnD]

I vote for Pike Pole. Modern ones have light tubular aluminum handles and still have a short twisted section at the business end. When you stab it into the piece of wood you are trying to move it sticks! If you simply pull to remove it--- chances are the wood comes with. A quick twist and it simply unscrews itself. Still being used in modern saw mills.

[toolmiser]

We may have a winner on the pike pole suggestion.  I found this on ebay, and the text explains the twisted end.  I think I have maybe an broken shovel handle that I could rework to make this into something that makes a little more sense.  I don't think a broken off piece of wood makes this any more valuable.  As a matter of fact, it probably isn't worth much anyway other than a conversation piece, and I do like to talk about tools (listen too).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-OSH-KOSH-Pike-Pole-Wood-and-steel-Tool-/162153295877?hash=item25c116f005:g:9CcAAOSw14xWFrQf