# What is this\[nail-like thing\]? --edited title **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 13, 2013, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143 "2013-02-13T02:18:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ddaug4uf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@ddaug4uf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddaug4uf)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/1 "2013-02-13T02:18:51Z")
Can anyone tell me what this is? [http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/556062\_500921869946131\_1700643809\_n.jpg](http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/556062_500921869946131_1700643809_n.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/2 "2013-02-13T02:26:02Z")
Looks like a [bookbinder’s awl.](http://www.bookmakerscatalog.com/catalog/Tools/holepunching/hole_punching.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/3 "2013-02-13T02:47:50Z")
Any more info? What does the head look like? How long is it? Where did you find it? ---
**Author:** ![ddaug4uf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@ddaug4uf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddaug4uf)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/4 "2013-02-13T10:59:18Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > Any more info? What does the head look like? How long is it? Where did you find it? Unfortunately, I don’t have any additional info. It is a local company that posts photos like this on their Facebook page and give away the location of a hidden gift certificate somewhere in town (Gainesville, Fl). ---
**Author:** ![ddaug4uf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@ddaug4uf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddaug4uf)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/5 "2013-02-13T11:05:17Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Looks like a [bookbinder’s awl.](http://www.bookmakerscatalog.com/catalog/Tools/holepunching/hole_punching.htm) I have never seen one with the helical wrap like this one. Here is what it isn’t: meat thermometer nail screw wood burning needle Tattoo needle leather awl knitting needle soldering iron acupuncture needle dental needle incremental borer (for coring trees) antenna nutcracker ---
**Author:** ![ddaug4uf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@ddaug4uf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddaug4uf)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/6 "2013-02-13T11:25:59Z")
We don’t have any perspective, but given the picture is portrait and not landscape, I am assuming he took it with his cell phone. Given that it is not incredibly grainy, he wasn’t zoomed, so if he was 6-12 inches away, we are looking at 5-6 inches of an object. At first I was convinced that the gold hue in the middle meant that it was a copper but the more I look at it, the more I think that might just be the reflection in a stainless steel surface of a covered light. The helical wrap has given me the most grief. I am still leaning towards that indicates this conducts electricity to provide heat but most of those options have been exhausted. I am working on maybe it is some sort of decorative wrap or possibly a grip of some kind. D ---
**Author:** ![d1a1s1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@d1a1s1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d1a1s1)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/7 "2013-02-13T12:12:35Z")
Concrete anchor screw? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/8 "2013-02-13T12:27:58Z")
Moved from General Questions to IMHO. **samclem** ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/9 "2013-02-13T13:13:06Z")
> [@d1a1s1](#): > > Concrete anchor screw? I agree - it looks exactly like the pseudo-screw component of a hammer-drive fixing. I can’t find a comparable example online (they all have a shallower pitch)\*, but I have some that look exactly like this at home. Let’s have a look at the top end of it, please **ddaug4uf** \*ETA: here’s one: [http://www.alibaba.com/product-tp/114765532/Hammer\_Drive\_Screw.html](http://www.alibaba.com/product-tp/114765532/Hammer_Drive_Screw.html) ---
**Author:** ![FrankJBN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@FrankJBN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrankJBN)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/10 "2013-02-13T15:38:07Z")
Spiral shank pole barn nail ---
**Author:** ![ddaug4uf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@ddaug4uf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddaug4uf)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/11 "2013-02-13T16:19:17Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I agree - it looks exactly like the pseudo-screw component of a hammer-drive fixing. I can’t find a comparable example online (they all have a shallower pitch)\*, but I have some that look exactly like this at home. > > Let’s have a look at the top end of it, please **ddaug4uf** > > \*ETA: here’s one: > [This product is no longer available.](http://www.alibaba.com/product-tp/114765532/Hammer_Drive_Screw.html) I keep shying away from any type of nail, screw, etc because the hooked end doesn’t make any sense. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/12 "2013-02-13T16:29:04Z")
> [@ddaug4uf](#): > > I keep shying away from any type of nail, screw, etc because the hooked end doesn’t make any sense. What hooked end? I only see the shaft in the photo in the OP. Or are you talking about the minor bend at the tip? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/13 "2013-02-13T20:00:55Z")
It’s a self-sealing stem bolt. (If nobody gets the reference, I’ll understand) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/14 "2013-02-13T21:34:58Z")
> [@ddaug4uf](#): > > Unfortunately, I don’t have any additional info. It is a local company that posts photos like this on their Facebook page and give away the location of a hidden gift certificate somewhere in town (Gainesville, Fl). so, you’re asking us to identify it for you, and you claim the prize? Or did I misunderstand the point? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/15 "2013-02-13T21:40:48Z")
> [@ddaug4uf](#): > > I keep shying away from any type of nail, screw, etc because the hooked end doesn’t make any sense. What does the blunt end look like? The apparent hook at the end of the point could be damage or a manufacturing flaw. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/16 "2013-02-13T21:47:20Z")
I believe it’s used to hold grid balls together. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/17 "2013-02-13T22:44:15Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > I believe it’s used to hold grid balls together. Strange grid balls? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/18 "2013-02-13T22:45:42Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > so, you’re asking us to identify it for you, and you claim the prize? > > Or did I misunderstand the point? I’m sure he’ll share it with all of us. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/19 "2013-02-13T23:56:03Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Strange grid balls? No, just regular grid balls. For strange grid balls, the twist goes the other way. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143/20 "2013-02-14T01:45:02Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > It’s a self-sealing stem bolt. > (If nobody gets the reference, I’ll understand) Well played, young Mr. Sisko. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-nail-like-thing-edited-title/650143.md?page=2)