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Mike Smith and Pitchfork Mysteries

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    Posted: 8/30/04 at 1:59pm

Last Saturday, Mike Smith valiantly tried to show a few left coasters how to toss the sheaf.  However, he did not know why a pitchfork with two tines was not technically a pitchfork.

Here is my attempt to answer the Mysteries of the Fork

First of all, the sheaf toss has roots on the farms of Scotland. Using pitchforks, young men would attempt to pitch wheat to the storage loft on the barn's second floor. (Per  http://www.houseofgordon.com/Games.htm.)

Defintion of "fork" :

 

 

An instrument consisting of a handle with a shank terminating in two or more prongs or tines, which are usually of metal, parallel and slightly curved; - used for piercing.  (Per Webster's 1913 Dictionary.)

Types of "forks":

If it has two tines, it is a military or war fork. (Hence, your answer.)  For mere surplussage, five or more tines makes it a manure fork, orif it has a d-handle, it is a garden fork.  If it is "Andrew's Fork", it has nothing to do with farming tools but more to do with charting/graphing.

That, I am sure is more than anyone wants to know.  Mike, now you can sleep at night.

 

Shana
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AncientOne Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 8/30/04 at 4:15pm

Shana-

"For mere surplussage"? Damn, you're really messed up!

-Serendipity

Winners are remarkably adept at figuring out what's required to win.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kspell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 8/30/04 at 4:54pm

This is one of those things that just get under my skin.  "you can't buy a two tine fork, therefore you and use it in comp."  Well, one you can buy a two tine fork, and two, I can't buy hammer boots, but that doesn't stop people from using them.

Mike, it is a total farse in my never-to-be-humble opinion.

Cheers!

Kirk
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote agm_ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 8/30/04 at 11:52pm
Despite what some may think, the sheaf toss is contested    
at a few highland games in Scotland. One of those games    
is the Halkirk games. Those games also happen to have a    
great collection of photos online. And if you look at    
those photos carefully, starting with those on this    
page:    
    
http://www.caithness.org/fpb/july2004/photogallery/thumbs.ht m?300?30


you'll see the sheaf being tossed with a two-tine fork.    

Edited by agm_
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tim Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 8/31/04 at 1:05am

Adam, 

I say we allow the two prong fork.  But then, we also have to have the kilted pole vault too (why wasn't that guy in the bottom picture kilted?).       Maybe we could use the fork as the pole.  Wouldn't that make things interesting?

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Richard Doria Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 8/31/04 at 4:59am
Good, Lord!  We've corrupted the Scots with that stuuupud event.  Next thing you know, women will be polve vaulting and throwing the wire hammer at the Olympics. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Larry Satchwell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 8/31/04 at 6:52am
Those do look like two tined forks.  Personally, I don't see the advantage of one over the other.  I never liked the feel of the two tined.  Ancient One- did you check out those shots of the sheaf standards?  They were some of those mother of all mothers you have in Illinois!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote caber1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 8/31/04 at 7:37am
Where did the weights in the sheaf toss come from? ie:16 and 20
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CRASH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 8/31/04 at 7:38am

Originally, the bags were loaded with buttery corn. 

Actually, I have no idea. Now I have something to research other than preliminary injunctions.  But, who do I bill for that?

Shana
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CRASH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 8/31/04 at 7:57am

One square bale of hay weighs about 60 lbs and there are about 16 flakes per bale. This means that each flake weighs about 4 lbs. A calf eats about four flakes of hay a day (plus grain) Thus, the total weight of hay per diem be approximately 16 lbs (4 x 4 = 16).

Maybe a cow eats five flakes a day - to get to 20?  I live nowhere near a farm, so I cannot answer that.

For more mere surplussage, a bushel of shelled corn weighs 56 pounds (without butter).  Think about that the next time you throw the WOB of HWFD!

 

Shana
The worst thing I can be is the same as everybody else. I hate that. (A. Schwarzenegger)
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