Understanding the difference between two similar looking/functioning tools, and buying the one that best meets your purpose is a real challenge cum good investment. There has to be some dissimilarities between two things so that it becomes a bit easier to understand what you are looking for in a tool. The same is the case while choosing between a cant hook and a peavey. Since both the tools seem almost the same, the buyers often get confused about which one they should purchase.Well, the cant hooks and peaveys are two such tools, typically used in the woodworking industry to perform the same job but a little differently.
If you are one of the newbies reading this, then it can be a real challenge for you in the tool selection. So, keep reading…In simple words, both the cant hook and peavey are the logging tools used in turning, lifting, turning logs, and prying logs, breaking jams, push over trees, etc. respectively. The primary difference lies in how both the tools grip the wooden log. None is better than the other; both have their individual speciality.
So, the choice of whether to buy a cant hook or a peavey is solely based on one’s requirement or personal preference. In this article, we have compiled an overview followed by comparison of cant hook Vs peavey. This might make your product selection and purchase easier. So, let’s delve right in.
Table of Contents
Cant Hook Overview
A cant hook is a logging tool that lifts, moves, and pivots logs to the required place. This type of tool is mostly used in the woodlot or sawmill and hence, they are the woodworker’s tool. It makes log hauling easier as you will not have to put any additional physical effort to drag the log around, all by yourself.The cant dog or the cant hook features a wooden lever handle, a metal hook for pivoting (called the dog), and a flat-ended foot for gripping the log. The hook acts as a biting edge, allowing the dog to get a better and firmer grip on the wood. As the cant hook is relatively smaller than the peavey, it cannot handle larger logs properly. Otherwise, the tool (cant hook) delivers a good grip.
Best For
The cant hook features a strong gripping ability and so, it is fit for moving logs at woodlot, much easily and quickly. The grip or hook is comparatively smaller than the peavey’s grip, meaning you cannot hold larger logs in it. So, keeping this factor in mind, if you are looking for stronger grip to manage small to medium diameter logs, then go for a cant hook.
Advantages
Cant hook features two biting edges; so, it ensures better gripping power on the log. This may not seem like a major advantage but it greatly helps in handling logs that are typically difficult or slippery to hold. It decreases the time required to hold a log and also makes sure that the log stays longer in the cant hook.The cant hook is quite versatile concerning the general plication of the tool. Other than that, another benefit of this logging tool is that it is safe to use compared to the peavey. The sharp pointed end of the peavey at the end of its handle should be handle carefully while prying logs. The cant hook, on the other hand, has a flat edged gripper foot. This flat ended foot decrease the risks of mishaps like getting oneself stabbed or cut while working with the hook.
Setbacks
As discussed above, the hook diameter is not fit for handling large logs. Even if you try to grip a large log, the grip will eventually slip out and the log may fall. So, with a cant hook, you are limited to handling only small to medium sized logs with a cant dog.Another setback of this tool is it could be time draining, tiresome, and bulky enough to use in shifting log piles.
Key Points
Cant hooks are usually fit for moving small to moderate sized logs. The two edges (the dog and the flat end gripper foot) provide uncompared gripping power. Anybody looking for safe to use hook will certainly find the cant hook useful, typically for moving logs.
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Peavey Overview
A peavey is yet another logging tool that comprises a pivoting dog and a wooden lever handle with a pointed spike at its end. Thus protruding spike at the pole is used for prying g or separating logs and hence, it has got a greater application in log piles. Unlike a cant hook, a peavey does not have double edges; the pivoting metal hook alone handles or moves a log. A peavey is suitable for picking logs of any size; be it a smaller, medium sized or large to extra large logs.
Best For
The tool is best for shifting and separating large logs of wood. The hook of a peavey can easily fit around the diameter of any large to extra large log which a cant hook can’t.
Advantages
The peavey can handle larger logs and the tool can be used for prying as well, which is so etching that a cant hook does not have. The hook and spike combi action of this logging tool makes it a real versatile,e option in the woodworking industry. Most amazingky, the tool does not even cost much; it is a cost-effective woodworker’s tool.
Setbacks
The first setback with a peavey is its sharp pointed spike at he end of the pole. It has higher cap Hannes of causing you cuts and injury if not handled carefully. The other drawback is its gripping ability; as the spike does not play any role in holding the log but only the pivoting dog does all. Most notably, you do not get double gripping edges as you get in a cant hook.
Key Points
A peavey is yet another versatile logging tool as you can use it both for rolling and prying large logs. The spike is used for separating the wood, whereas the pivoting metal dog is used for dragging the logs around. Just be careful with the spike during the use as it is very sharp.
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How Do They Hook Logs?
Both the cant hook and peavey have a slightly different hooking mechanism. This is due to the different shape of the gripper foot, at the end of their lever handles.
Cant Hook
The cant hook consists of a pivoting dog (metal hook) and a flat edged gripper foot. Both of these parts act as double hooking mechanism, ensuring two tie better grip on the log to be moved or shifted. Consequently, the cant hook holds the log from both downside and sideways, allowing a more secure grip.
Peavey
On the other side, a peavey comes prises a pointed needle like end (called killig or “kilhig”) and a pivoting metal hook. The spiked pole is used for prying logs and has no role to play while gripping a log. In this case, only the dog (metal hook) has all to do with the gripping and shifting work. This is the reason a peavey hook is not as efficient as a cant hook is in delivery firmer grip. Keeping this point in mind, a cant hook is a smarter investment both in terms of safety and better handling of logs. A cant hook is always a better choice if you are typically dealing with a slippery, wet work environment.
How Do Their Hook Sizes Differ?
Hook size is significantly a big factor that points out the difference between a cant hook and a peavey. While a cant hook tends to have a smaller hook that can only support small to medium sized logs, a peavey features a larger hook and hence, it can handle large logs easily. A peavey is capable of shifting large logs which a cant dog can’t. So, if you generally deal with large log shifting and prying, then a peavey is what you need. Conversely, though a canhook cannot handle extra large logs, it nevertheless ensures a stronger grip on average sized logs. You will mostly find this tool in the riverside areas or sawmills.
Verdict
Being a woodworker, one has to deal with tools that are often dangerous to handle and requires experience. Still, it is always better to consider the safety features of any tool, irrespective of how easy or hard to use it is. So far, it can be concluded that the peavey is relatively riskier than the cant hook, as with the former type you might end up cutting or stabbing your foot.
So, if your work environment is quite slippery or messy, then it is better not to use any pointed tool like peavey as you may end losing balance over the tool and fall on the spike while trying to lug a log around. Rather you should go for a cant hook in that case, as its flat ended foot and dog together ensure a stronger grip even on slippery conditions as well.
On the other hand, if safety is your primary requirement (which it should be), then cant hook is what you need. This safe to use logging tool has the minimal to zero chance of causing you harm or injured while moving a log.
Very well written and informative article. Thank You