Osmoderma eremita

For these purposes, there is an excellent tool - such a two-pronged"sap". Bent at right angles. You can expropriate from some hostess if you are too lazy to buy, and make small improvements:
1. Shorten the teeth approximately so that their length is about 7-10 cm. This is quite enough for picking in almost any hollow tree, and the damage to someone is negligible.
2. Remove the handle altogether. It won't do - it's heavy and impractical. Bend the handle for convenience at an angle of 75% approximately, and put a piece of plastic pipe on the handle (I use a 16-inch hole. water). The beauty is that the handle can be made any length you want, it is perfectly processed and drilled (for a strap or a carabiner) and it can easily be extended if you insert any stick under the cone from the reverse side.
3. The work surface, I personally, additionally process. For greater durability, the tool itself can be released at 700-800 deg. c., followed by immersion in spindle or engine oil. After-rinse and degrease. Thus, if the boot itself is made of human steel (steel type ST 3, ST 40, 45, and the like are not suitable, this is not metal-dust), then you will get a universal, blued, please note, tool for all occasions...
Sincerely,.....

Nimrod, could you explain in more detail what a "two-pronged boot" is and where it is used in the national economy?
I tried to expropriate it from a couple of local housewives, but they didn't even understand what I was talking about. To be honest, I don't really understand either.
This tool is used to remove the substrate from the hollow? Or just to check for the presence of any dangerous animals in the hollow tree?
Thank you in advance for your explanations...

I honestly don't know exactly what it's called, but it looks exactly like a sap, only instead of the blade itself, it has two relatively long prongs (a kind of fork). It should be on sale in the household. stores. Sometimes there is an advanced version, when at one end - this "fork", and on the other, in fact, either sapa,or a small harrower. Actually, if you have a good blacksmith in your acquaintances, then such a thing is easier to make, and it will serve you for a very long time.
Some possible applications.
1. Preliminary inspection of the hollow tree. If there is any other animal life in the form of snakes, birds or the like, and, in addition, as often happens, any broken glass and debris, you will be able to verify this without any risk to yourself. If the hollow is "clean", the limbs are used.
2. Turning over rocks and fallen trees. In the Middle Lane, you can do it with your hands, but in all sorts of Yugas-in general, who knows what can sit there...
3. Chernozems and clay soils. Monitoring for larvae and burrowing of dung beetles. Believe me, this " sap " is much easier to make a sample than just a shovel.
4. Removing bark and cutting stumps. Comments, I think, are superfluous. This is more suitable for searching for xylophage larvae.
Well, and some other small things. In addition, it is lightweight, much lighter than a similar all-metal tool of this size.
A little confused, I'm sorry, but I hope I managed to explain something. Oh yes, actually the direct purpose of these "females" - summer residents, or just lovers of vegetable gardens thin out and weed their tomatoes, potatoes and other liver. In general, for processing "gifts of gardens, fields and vegetable gardens".
Sincerely,....

This post was edited by Nimrod - 10/16/2007 00: 06

I strongly suspect, dear Nimrod, that a bad photo would explain everything much better than your detailed explanation...

I don't have a camera yet, Mr. Omar. As soon as it appears, I'll start shooting everything right away. But did no one really understand what it was all about? I don't even know how to explain it...
Pickaxe. All this in terms of resembles these very boots. Only the latter ones are much smaller.
Another example. Alpenstock.. It is used in mountaineering and when it is necessary to eliminate someone.
N.B. (Ramon Mercader had a lot of experience using this very alpenstock, as far as I remember. It was he who used this device on Lev Davydovich Trotsky and discovered new functionality of the tool)....

This zlochasnaya sapka operates on a similar principle. Only instead of a solid piece of metal, it has two teeth (like a fish fork), that's all.
Sincerely,....

I think I've realized what it is...
Somewhere in the back of my mind, a picture of something iron and very similar in description popped up. But where did I see this tool?.. Maybe in the country?

Trotsky was supposedly killed with an ice pick... An alpenstock is a modified ski pole. Or am I confusing everything? In general, it is clear, of course, what we are talking about, and what is sapka.

With an ice pick ("trotskorub"). Or maybe we are talking about a boat hook or its likeness?

As for the very initial request from Mr. rpanin, I have a raw idea so far, expressed as follows.
I, for my part, will go through my own and the collections of colleagues to identify points and report back later. What if each of us posted our data on the hermit here? Subsequently, it will be possible to plot this data on a map and outline, in this way, the most likely places of finds, and in general, its current range. One more thing. It is also very useful to break down all localities by time of capture and by statute of limitations. What does it mean. Let's say we have 3 or more capture control dates, say:
1. Before 1917. (For example, use squares on the map).
2. From 1918 to 1947. (On the map - a triangle).
3. From 1948 to the present day. (Circle).
Agree, then it will be easy to see Where, When, and How Much (in spec. footnotes). In addition, there will probably be new points and places where it was previously marked, but no longer occurs, due to various circumstances. Again, for multi-level Red Books, this information will be unique and very useful.
In general, I suggest that we discuss and think about it. So far, I repeat, this is still a" raw " idea....
Sincerely,....