Photos provided by Andy Mason, UK, digitally processed and grouped by Jock Dempsey.
This is another hand forged stake from the same manufacturer as several others in Andy collection. What is different about this one is the obvious forge weld joint at the blade. The tool also shows evidence of much use in the slight mushrooming of the driving block and the under sides of the blade.

Knife stakes are long versions of hatchet stakes and are used for edging and creasing when a machine is not available or will not fit the work. The angle of the edge varies from 30° to 45°.

Details of the weld joint on three knife stakes. The blue stake is probably an American made Pexto. The other two are English or European stakes in Andy’s collection. All these joints are forge or “fire” welds.

Modern stakes are now arc welded. Due to being largely a forge shop product stakes were forge welded long after arc welding became a common industrial process.