Practicing sheaf

[Alan H]

First off, you need a fork. You just have to buy a fork. Note that this will be a HAY fork, not a "pitchfork".

here's a three-tine fork. Some guys really like three tines, some like two. I happen to like two.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CGcQ8wIwAQ

and another one...

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CIoBEPMCMAY

Here's a five tine manure fork. To turn that into a two tine, you cut off the outer tines, and the center tine with a hacksaw. This is what I have.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CH0Q8wIwAw

Smooth off your forks tines until they're nicely tapered to a point at the ends, and really smooth. You'll need a grinding wheel and a file and emery paper.

Now, you need a sheaf. You can buy one from Jason Clevenger, or you can make one. To make one, get a big piece of burlap. You want it to be at least 4 layers thick, so fold it over, bigtime. Now using a nail for a needle and cotton or nylon twine for thread, make a square bag out of burlap. Stuff it with Hay or shredded rope. Stitch it shut. Now, go throw!

Throw over what? well, a tree in the park is a good place to start, but you can make weight over bar and sheaf uprights that go up to 20 feet from fence stakes and 3-inch ABS tubing. Leave it in 10 foot sections so you can fit it into the back of your truck or car.

Want to get started throwing sheaf? Watch Duncan, the spidermans intro video....which he made for me, btw...



and my response...



There's more to it than this, but just doing this got me up to 22 feet with the 16 pound sheaf and 18 with the 20 pound and that's not too bad at all for starters.

Good luck!

[Delaney]

Very helpful post and info Alan! Much gratitude to you!

[Joshua]

Some meets (SSAAA for example, down Souf) don't allow the two-tined fork.

So just be aware of that little fact.

My fork is a Union Tools 3-tine. I also had a 5-tined skinny manurefork that I sawed the outside tines of to have a perfect, parallel-tined, fork - and I got to use it in all of ONE competition before the judge discovered it and made me use someone else's fork.

I didn't see what the big deal was, skinny tines keep the bag from getting chewed up, and allow less friction for a better throw. But meh...

[Delaney]

Alright! Shootin' for picking up a 3-tine at any one of the three huge corporate chain hardware distributors in the vicinity.

[Joshua]

Alright! Shootin' for picking up a 3-tine at any one of the three huge corporate chain hardware distributors in the vicinity.

They are out there, but expect to do a special order - 3-tined forks aren't too common. Ace Hardware carries them, but usually not in stock. Home Despot carries the 5-tined manure fork and those are usually in-stock, same as Tractor Supply.

[Alan H]

I got my 5-tine fork at Home Depot, but Orchard Supply also carried it.

[o1d_dude]

Five tine forks made into throwing implements.



What mine looks like now.


Some learn the fork, others are born to it.
Clan Cunningham


Hockey tape, electrical/friction tape sized to my grip.


Lightning bolt needs no explanation.


This is a traveling fork and is short handled. Friction tape covered with
tennis racket grip sleeve.


Burlap and rope = sheaf

[Delaney]

... Lightning bolt needs no explanation...

Geez, those look great! They're like ... art ... I daresay!

[azwildcat96]

I made my 2-tine fork a few weeks ago out of an old 5-tine that I had in the garage, and took it to the Queen Mary Games in Long Beach earlier this month. A couple guys that I practice with liked it so much that they both bought 5-tine forks yesterday after practice and we had a tine cutting/grinding BBQ! Now for more practice!

We're all thinking of picking up a 3-tine to practice with as well, just in case we hit a game somewhere that requires it. But no real hurry for that yet.


* edit - It kind of fun to customize this tool of the trade...My fork was sprayed with black metallic flake auto paint with several coats of clear coat. One of my friends covered his in duck tape with flame print, and the other friend hasn't decorated his yet...not sure how crazy he will get.

[jgorley]

So, After a rediculously long absence, I make my return...and on a sheaf thread no less. My two cents, 2 tines are more comfortable to throw, but you get more spring from a 3 tine. I mean heck, 3 former WR holders can't all be wrong! I just avoid the Southern games because I like my 2 tine! Totally joking by the way! I just have not made my way to the other side of the country yet. Sheaf is my favorite event. I was lucky enough to pitch many, many tons of horse manure! Although for distance, not height...thank god!!! Myself, I have 5 or 6 different forks. Each has a slight difference, thinner tines, longer tines, flared versus parallel tines. My choice fork you ask? The first fork I ever made, a 5 tine manure fork cut to 2 and honed in my own blood. Seriously, it made me bleed on more than one occasion. Good luck to all this season! Hopefully I won't be gone as long this time!