Vintage Fireplace Tending Tool

Description

Where did these go? Such a wonderful invention that seems to have been forgotten, or maybe people just don't build … more Where did these go? Such a wonderful invention that seems to have been forgotten, or maybe people just don't build hot fireplace fires with large pieces of wood anymore...

This is a super strong 45" long fireplace or campfire tending tool. It has a heavy duty wrought iron rod that fits through a heavy duty steel sleeve, with a wrought iron handle on the end that controls fire log grippers at the bottom. It has a solid wood sleeve located 17" down from the handle so that the hand that is not controlling the grippers can be used to move heavy pieces of burning logs. The grippers are far enough from the wood sleeve that even hotter pieces of burning wood do not affect the fire-tender's ability to safely move wood around in either the fireplace or around on the campfire. The wood is grabbed by turning the wrought iron handle at the end, and keeping the handle turned tightly while placing the other hand on the wood sleeve, and thus using two hands/arms to hold the piece of firewood securely. Imagine trying to move a decent size piece of firewood using telescoping tongs, which is the common alternative to the item shown in this listing -- there is no way to place enough leverage on the tong handles to secure a piece of wood of a decent size and weight, and the tongs are made of thin and flimsey metal so they require an even greater strength to push the tong handles together -- even if a good size piece of wood manages to get grabbed by tongs, the piece of wood is very likely to fall out before it can get moved.

If you want to be the fire-tending hero, this is for you!

From the loop handle to the bottom of the grabbers measures about 45 inches. The loop in the loop handle measures 4 1/2" x 2 1/4" -- large enough for a large man size hand to fit inside the loop. Each of the wrought iron grabbers measures about 5 1/2" long.

The wrought iron rod moves freely inside the sleeve and the grippers work just as they should. The wooden sleeve remains in good condition in spite of its vintage age.

This is a tool anyone who enjoys a large roaring fire should not be without, whether the fire is inside a fireplace or a campfire. Even though it is practical and certainly useful, it would also make for a great rustic decoration piece anywhere rustic vintage items are proudly displayed.

It is possible to purchase more modern light fire tending tools, but they will cost as much or more and simply won't have the strength or capability of this heavy duty wrought iron model. less