In the process of cutting wood for the Axe Cordwood Challenge, I've become aware of how nice it would be to have some decent log handling tools. I needed some better, heavy-duty log dogs, and a cant hook for rolling and maneuvering the logs more easily into position for bucking and skidding.

The sticker price of a new cant hook is somewhat alarmingly near to $100, so I decided to try my hand at making the hardware in the forge from scrap on hand. The most basic design I am aware of is one I have seen in Roy Underhill's books with a mortice in a wooden handle that accepts the eye of the hook arm and a pin to hold it. I thought I could go with a slightly stronger design and make a forged band to create the pivot point for the hook. For the band I used a scrap piece of 1/4" angle iron. I also made an end piece from a scrap section of tubing, and the hook was forged from some 3/4" round bar. I used an existing hole in the round bar and drifted that out to become the eye. The band and pivot were riveted together using a cut-off scrap bolt to form the rivet.

All in all this was a very quick and satisfying project and I'm very happy with the results. In use, I've noticed a slight tendency for the hook not to grab in every case, so I think there is some adjustment I need to make in the angle of attack to present a better angle. It also has a tendency to bind with the hook bent all the way open, so I need to work a little on the fit of the pivot area to free that up.

Here are some useful videos I found helpful as I was planning this project.

The Homestead Craftsman has a very good video on making a Peavey. I took a lot of inspiration from this video. I decided to not make a Peavey vs a Cant hook as I don't see any functional use for the pike spike that makes the difference between the two tools. He made a very fine tool though.

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Two very nice all-metal cant hooks.

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