Jim Conlin: Yep. Duckworks (and others) have that "thing" that passes
for a bench hook, but it bears the same resemblance to what I'd want as
a tricycle to a Harley Servi-car. the link is appreciated, though!

Andy Dingley: They'd better b****y well cost more than $3... A good
sail hook is worth the cost since it's such an integral part of the
sailmaker's toolkit. Without a scorpion (or at least a large nose that
can be filed into a scorpion), it's useful only for holding in a
grommetted hole but does nothing to allow a seaming stitch or for
roping a sail. Also, if it were made with a decorative 360 degree
twist to the shaft, wouldn't that be pretty as well as practical!
Old-time sailmakers either had a local blacksmith make theirs or struck
them themselves, being masters of several disciplines as they needed to
be (canvas experts, ropemakers, riggers, smithys....) but I,
unfortunately, am master of only a few things, and smithing is not
among them.

Someone could make these and, while they wouldn't 'jump' off the shelf,
I'll bet that it wouldn't take too long before they'd become a nice
little item for the smith.

Thanks for all the replies, off and on line!


Vince Brennan