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French Farmer's Hack Turned Into Enduring American Tool

The Blo-Poke

By Rain Noe - July 24

in Tools & Craft

During World War I, American soldier James H. Smith was stationed in France. While there, he observed a French farmer tending a fire with an unexpected implement: An old rifle barrel. The farmer blew through the barrel to stoke the fire, then used the barrel itself as a poker.

After returning to the 'States, Smith began working on an invention inspired by the farmer's rifle barrel hack. It took a while, but in 1941 Smith patented the Blo-Poke. This was a brass tube with a mouthpiece on one end, and a sort of arrowhead on the other. The arrowhead was cast with a fluted groove, allowing air to travel through the tube.

Today, nearly 85 years later, the Blo-Poke is still in production. They're made in Connecticut, are available in a variety of finishes, and run $185.

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Kyle Wolfe

22 hours ago

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They are pretty though. I use a piece of brass pipe for my fire pit. I put a fitting on one end so I always know which end is hot and not covered in soot. It was left over from a plumbing project so I up-cycled it. Not as nice looking though.

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Zach W

23 hours ago

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$185 for hollow metal tube with a hook on the end?

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