Spike candle holder used in ore mining in Alaska, marked "California"(made by Ludlow-Saylor Wire Co, St. Louis)

Tallow candles gutter and smoke, so that in many mines moulded "composite candles” are substituted. These are conveniently carried in the holder shown, which is from Alaska, but the type is general in the Western United States. It consists of a rod of square iron bent into a handle at one end and pointed at the other. Near the handle at one side is a spring clip to hold the candle; at the other side at right angles to the rod is a hook by which it is hung from a projection should there be no crevice or timber into which its point may be thrust.