Spear pic + ?

[Huey]

Does this type of spear look familiar to anyone? Early Riser?

It's from the Park Rapids area and at least 50 yrs old.

[bassNspear]

i have seen a few of them before! There built like rocks!

[candiru]

Does it have a "notch" in the other end? I think it might be a Brainerd spear if I am not mistaken. I am not 100% sure of the name. They are real nice. I have the one that belonged to my grandfather. They are worth something.

[Huey]

Yes, there's a notch where you tie the rope.

[Early Riser]

Sure enough it does look like a Brainerd spear by L. Gustus. They are worth about 100 to 150 dollars.

[candiru]

I did some looking, it is a Brainerd spear made by Louis Gustis. 1887-1974 I believe it is worth at least a couple of hundred bucks.

[Central Bassman]

What is the deal with this spear?? You find it Huey?

[Huey]

Thanks for the info guys.

The spear belongs to my father-in-law. I noticed it last summer hanging on a wall in his garage. It was behind a bunch of stuff. Anyways, the garage got cleaned up this fall to make room for cars in the winter. I was able to get a close look at the spear and take a picture on my way to LOTW. He got it used from a neighbor about 50 years ago.

What is a "Brainerd spear" ? This might sound like a dumb question, was L. Gustis from Brainerd or is that a style of spear?

[Early Riser]

The information I have is from a reference book on spears by Marcel Salive called "Ice Fishing Spears." This book is loaded with information about many of the old spear makers from MN, MI and other places.

Candiru and I were both wrong on the spelling. According to Salive, Louis Gustas was a blacksmith that made the spears for the Foley harware store in Brainerd. When Mr Gustas stoped making his spears, Mr Foley found another local blacksmith named Clarence Thomas to make a wire tine version of the spear.

I bought one of these spears about 3 years ago for 100 dollars. Someone usually has one for sale at the bigger decoy shows. Their value is likely going up. After a little field testing with mine I determined that the Gustas spears are very well made and solid. They drop and throw straight. The barb work also does a very good job of holding fish.

[cherokee]

That is the same spear I use. I got it from my grandfather about 25 years ago. Helped him shingle his house. He gave me a spearhouse and the spear.

It is a great spear.

[Huey]

Thanks again for the info.

If I remember right, somoeone posted that the design of the Amish spears are based old Brainerd spears. I use an Amish spear. It's kind of neat to think that my spear is based on the spear my father-in-law used as a kid. I'm a newbie from a non-spearing family , but now I have my own sort of spearing tradition.

[Early Riser]

Huey the Amish spears are based on the turned weighted center design perfected by MN spear makers Dillo Hinnenkamp, Joe June and W. Pimple. Contemporaries include spears made by Jeremy Kraemer, Lee Moening and the Amish spear you have.

I have a little time tonight so in my edit I am adding a few pictures of examples from my photo album:

Brainerd Spear by L. Gustas:

Pimple Spear:

J. Kraemer Spears:

L. Moening Spear:

Stiff's Spear, unknown maker, but an awesome spear!

Misc. Spears on the judging table from Perham:

One thing for certain is that well crafted spears are functional pieces of folk art that are fun to collect, learn about and use.

The handle on my Pimple spear was a little loose due to the wood drying out over the years. I picked the spear up from a local decoy carver who actually knew Pimple having grown up in the same community and working on his farmstead. He said many folks are still using Pimple spears in central MN and suggested that if I wanted to try it I should simply soak the handle in a little water to tightened it up. I replaced the old rope, soaked it and took it out for a few trips to the dark house. It has functioned as perfectly as I had expected it to. The whole experience made me ponder the spear's previous owners and all the trips to the dark house they may have employed the old spear for.

[Huey]

whoops...

[Gordie]

nice collection EarlyRiser. could you tell me what the overall witdh is of the spear and what ther distance between the tines are. just out of curiousity

and I like the yellow and red decoy in stiff's photo I had one like that but its now at the bottom of Big Lake oopps I would like to find another one like it.

[Early Riser]

Which spear are you interested in specifications for Elwood?

[Gordie]

sorry about that. It would be the Brainerd spear by Gustas

thanks

[bassNspear]

that spear looks very long. how long is it!

[Early Riser]

Elwood, the Brainerd spear is 55" long. The outside tine spread is 7.75". The space between the tines, center to center is 1.25".

Kraemer spears are about 60" long BnS.

[Gordie]

Thanks EarlyRiser in the pic it looks so much bigger than that.

I like that spear I also assume that it is a forged spear being that Gustas was a blacksmith. I'd like to try and learn that art of blacksmithing someday.

[wahoo]

I was searching for Louis Gustis Spears and ran across this old post. I have been looking for one as I grew up nest door to Louie as we called. Spent much of my time in his shop as he crafted spears. In fact I knew the entire operation from raw stock to finished product.  I played with his forge and he taught me how to weld. I even saw him make the then illegal 12 tine spears. They were works of art. He took me on my first spearing excursion when I was 5. Nokay Lake. He and his wife were like grandparents to me. Watched Friday night at the fights with him.

anyway, I’d like to find one to buy. 

Thanks.

[Mike89]

I have one that looks like that style I think??

[PRO-V]

I have the one you called Stiffs spear. Bought it about 1982 from Rapids Tackle in GR. Owner told me it was made by an 80 something year old guy and it was the last batch. Can't remember the name. Cost me $80 then. My first wife was pretty upset that I spent that much so I traded her in for a different model......wife that is .

[wahoo]

Mike89.  I’d love a picture. I am pretty sure I can identify a Gustis spear.  I am not far from you. Moran township. 

Any way, Louie’s Spears we’re constructed out of bar stock he used for the handle and smaller stock that he hand cut for each individual tine. Each tine was put into the forge hammered hot into shape so the end had a sort of v shape. Then each tine was was cut with a hacksaw to create an area for the barb. Then hand filed in the cut to open the barb up and sharpened with a file.  Tines were then ground on a stone on an electri grinder to creat the point. Back to file for final sharpening. 

A flattish sort of bar was created in different lengths to creat the piece onto which each tine and the handle were welded. Missed the the rope end of handle was drilled with a hole and the very end of the handle had a small u shaped cut to assist in attaching rope.  

Finalinspection and sharpening. 

Then painted all dull black except for the sharp end points that were, to me, super shiny and left unpainted up to about 1 1/2 inch from the point.  A thing of beauty. 

His production varied from 800 to over 1100 each year with almost all built in summer. 

Tines were round, none of current flat shape.  

His philosophy which I remember well was: “A spear should cut like a knife through water and into the fish.”   Not knock the fish out with excess weight.  

I truly would like one if any available.  

If I had the tools and remembered how to forge without over tempering I could attempt to build one. 

Thanks. 

[wahoo]

Oh, and tines always even across bottom as I recall. Center double barbed on those with odd number of tines was not receded from others. 

[Mike89]

I'll take a look at the spears and see what I have...  come on down to the decoy show in Alex!!!

[wahoo]

Would love to go to show.  I think its tomorrow.  Out of town but get home very late tonight.  Wife says they predict a foot of snow, so it might be tricky as I have nearly 2 miles of township road before I hit a tar/county road.  If possible I will try to get there.  What is the location in Alex?

Thanks.

[gunner55]

The fairgrounds, more info: Alex Decoy Show thread this forum

[wahoo]

Got it, and the correct date.  Thanks.

[dutchboy II]

Old thread I know but............

 

Fascinating thread. Hope I can make a show. Love seeing hand made art.  

[Mike89]

there are talking a decoy show in Alex in Oct...  stay tuned!!!