A Moment Of Tiki Episode 61: Harpoon!

I found a whaling harpoon at an estate sale! Sadly, it's only a replica but even replica harpoons are rare around these parts. Even more sadly, this one's not been taken care of. Left outside and exposed to the elements, the wood handle is dry and cracked and the steel shaft is corroded and rusting. It needs a lot of TLC and a thorough restoration. Fortunately, I'm the right guy for the job!
While whaling harpoons in and of themselves are not tiki, they are most certainly tiki-adjacent thanks to the works of Herman Melville and other authors of the 19th century. The Inuit and other seafaring cultures have used toggle-barb harpoons for centuries, but the U.S. and European whaling industry (which was frankly pretty terrible) used fixed-barb harpoons that were little more than oversized arrowheads until Lewis Temple, a free Black man, invented the "Temple toggle" at his blacksmith shop in New Bedford, Massassachussetts, in 1848. His invention quickly took the whaling industry by storm and within a few years became standard equipment. Alas, Mr. Temple did not patent his invention and profited little from it. He died in 1854 deeply in debt.
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[@juliegrey5280]

What a great find! Restoration looks amazing!

[@LagoonofMystery]

Thank you!

[@adambhoy]

Nice job! It looks awesome - I love the paint job on the "Temple toggle"!

[@LagoonofMystery]

Thank you! There was considerable trial and error (mostly error) involved. 😉

[@stoneyhuntertravels2534]

grate job looks awsome

[@LagoonofMystery]

Much appreciated!

[@michelleduprey6661]

I live about 40 minutes away from New Bedford (the Whaling City) and I've NEVER seen a real or replica harpoon "in the wild". Great score down there in Texas!

[@LagoonofMystery]

Crazy, huh? 🤪

[@michelleduprey6661]

Without a doubt! 😆