# What is this device called? (rope + stick grab tool) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 24, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-called-rope-stick-grab-tool/1027939 "2026-02-24T18:04:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-called-rope-stick-grab-tool/1027939/1 "2026-02-24T18:04:39Z")
This could come in very handy. I saw this in this Instagram clip ➜ [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVFKA8-jl08](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVFKA8-jl08) 🔲 (It might play in Spanish but I saw it in English.) It’s a device that you make with a rope and a stick for reaching and grabbing items. Here are some screen shots I captured — it shows picking up keys and a lighter from in a tight spot, and then how to make it: [![](https://i.imgur.com/pQ4zmuD.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/pQ4zmuD.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/oXuGzCl.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/oXuGzCl.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/xxhBjV5.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/xxhBjV5.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/DxygONu.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/DxygONu.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/HjPqLL5.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/HjPqLL5.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/MO11cB9.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/MO11cB9.jpeg) I tried searching images with the following terms, but did not see this type of tool made from a rope and stick: ⏵ Grabber reacher rope and stick ⏵ Reacher grabber rope and stick ⏵ Reacher rope stick grab ⏵ Rope stick grab ⏵ Stick rope grab ⏵ Make a grabber reacher with rope and stick Any ideas what this tool or knot is called? I’ll define success as being an image search on those terms that results in showing this type of device. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-called-rope-stick-grab-tool/1027939/2 "2026-02-24T18:22:34Z")
I’m not sure it’s going to have a specific name. The closest you might get is calling it a homemade lasso pole. [![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51f062AlSgL._AC_SL1500_.jpg) ](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51f062AlSgL._AC_SL1500_.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-called-rope-stick-grab-tool/1027939/3 "2026-02-24T18:23:33Z")
Isn’t it just a Highwayman’s Hitch at the end of a pole? ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-called-rope-stick-grab-tool/1027939/4 "2026-02-24T18:28:41Z")
My first guess, but it looks like it might be the related [Tumble Hitch](https://www.animatedknots.com/tumble-hitch-knot) being pulled by the working end. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-called-rope-stick-grab-tool/1027939/5 "2026-02-24T18:31:11Z")
➙ lasso pole — comes very close ➙ Highwayman’s Hitch — yes this looks like the knot that is used ➙ Tumble Hitch — yes this looks much like the Highwayman’s Hitch ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-called-rope-stick-grab-tool/1027939/6 "2026-02-24T20:21:06Z")
Catch pole, control pole or snare pole? [https://wvs.academy/learn/companion-animals/dog-behaviour-and-handling/animal-friendly-restraint-techniques/restraint-equipment/catchpoles/](https://wvs.academy/learn/companion-animals/dog-behaviour-and-handling/animal-friendly-restraint-techniques/restraint-equipment/catchpoles/) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-called-rope-stick-grab-tool/1027939/7 "2026-02-24T20:31:36Z")
I’ve heard “Capture stick.” ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-called-rope-stick-grab-tool/1027939/8 "2026-02-24T20:43:08Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > snare pole Snare is what popped into mind. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-called-rope-stick-grab-tool/1027939/9 "2026-02-24T21:58:42Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > lasso pole. Is that the same thing as a dog catcher? ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-called-rope-stick-grab-tool/1027939/10 "2026-02-25T06:22:28Z")
This [veterinary supplier](https://www.dlc.com.au/products/restraining-equipment/catch-poles-graspers/) calls them Dog poles. Being Australian, anything more dangerous has to be caught with our bare hands. > **[Catch Poles & Graspers | DLC Vet](https://www.dlc.com.au/products/restraining-equipment/catch-poles-graspers/)** ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2026, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-called-rope-stick-grab-tool/1027939/11 "2026-02-25T12:20:51Z")
I never knew a lasso on a stick could have so many different names… ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-device-called-rope-stick-grab-tool/1027939/12 "2026-02-26T02:41:15Z")
Yeah I think we’ve danced around near enough. Thanks for all the inputs, you guys did much better than I.