Very interesting. This thing is still another 6 inches longer so I really feel this is not a marlin spike. I can clearly see the similarity in shape. However all and even the decorated examples shown lack the subtlety of this piece, their form and execution being workman like in the extreme. I am also drawn very much to the polish and patina to the wood. Shorley if one needed a spike this long to untie knots one would need to drive it home. The elegant distal end does not seem suggestive of that kind of use. We will just have to wait. I belive in Stone there are AUS Aboriginal clubs begining with K very much of this form. I will check shortly.
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