Der Stumpf

Short Description

DER STUMPF - it literally means ‘the stump’, referring to the large pine log upon which the old alpine drinking game of Nageln (nails) is played.

DER STUMPF - it literally means ‘the stump’, referring to the large pine log upon which the old alpine drinking game of Nageln (nails) is played. Friends gather around the stump taking it in turns to try and bang their large nail fully into the stump surface using the thin ‘wrong end’ of a brick hammer or the edge of a large door hinge. It takes quite a few rounds, with many misses and a few bent nails before the winner is cheered. The loser typically has to buy a round and the following games get slightly more difficult and a whole lot more hilarious. As far as we know, nobody has ever properly codified the game, put an organisation behind it or even settled on a single name for it - until Der Stumpf. We have given it a smart new identity, a whole set of competition rules and and specifications for the stump, the nail, and the hammer. Naturally, a refreshing and very drinkable German-style lager beer needs to go with it so we have formulated that too. And let's not forget the 'cuisine' and our soon-to-be-famous Wurst Käse Szenario meal deal. Der Stumpf is going to be more than just a game, we’ll be creating a whole series of competitions as the centrepiece of beer festivals and we’ll be looking for the finest Stumpfmeisters and Stumpfmeisteren in the country.

What to expect

The Game of Der Stumpf Der Stumpf literally means ‘the stump’, referring to the large pine log upon which the old alpine drinking game of Nageln (nails) is played. Friends gather around the stump taking it in turns to try and bang their large nail fully into the stump surface using the thin ‘wrong end’ of a brick hammer. Sometimes you see it being played with the edge of a large door hinge. It takes quite a few rounds, with many misses and a few bent nails before the winner is cheered. The loser typically has to buy a round and the following games get slightly more difficult and a whole lot more hilarious. Our game, Der Stumpf, is between two players head-to-head, best of three. Around the log is just the Referee and the two players. Spectators are not allowed inside the playing arena, they watch from behind the ropes. The aim of the game is to take less turns than your opponent to hammer your nail all the way into the log surface. The Referee declares whether or not a nail is all the way in - the test is whether the Referee can get a finger nail underneath the nail head. If both players hammer their nails in using the same number of turns, that game is replayed. The first player to win two games is declared the winner. To decide who goes first, the Referee will spin a nail and whoever it points to will start first. There is no advantage to going first other than the psychological lift a player gets from making a great first hit. The Referee is responsible for setting up the nails so that they are at the right height, safely tapped 35mm into the log, the same distances from the edge and perpendicular to the surface. The Referee will remind players of the rules and then players take it in turns to strike at their nail until a winner is declared. If you accidently bend the nail or move it off the perpendicular, the Referee will officially straighten it for you... but you lose a go. Only the referee can decide (sometimes using V.A.R.) when a nail is fully into the log. The Log (Der Stumpf) You can't just use any old log for Der Stumpf. Only a soft pine, like Tyrolean Pine, offers the correct softness - we have tested many varieties. The surface of the log should be between 80 and 90 cm from the floor, and between 60 and 80 cm in diameter. To make the game accessible, we also have logs suitable for anyone who needs a lower playing surface, wheelchair users for example. The Hammer The chosen hammer for Der Stumpf is a standard 16oz brick hammer. We provide two identical hammers. The Referee will remind players of hammer etiquette and safe handling. One or both hands can be used to hold the hammer. The Nail We use a standard 125mm (4.92 inches) stainless steel round wire nail with a 5.6mm round head. The nail is tapped into the log to a depth of 35mm, leaving 90mm proud of the playing surface. We have a special gauge for this purpose. Tapping the nail in by 35mm stops nails from 'pinging out' if hit awkwardly and makes it less likely for nails to move from the perpendicular.

FAQ

Q: How long does setup take? A: 30 minutes to an hour
Q: What are your space and power requirements? A: one 16 amp plug
Q: Do you take requests? A: No

DER STUMPF - it literally means ‘the stump’, referring to the large pine log upon which the old alpine drinking game of Nageln (nails) is played.

Q: How long does setup take?

A: 30 minutes to an hour

Q: What are your space and power requirements?

A: one 16 amp plug

Q: Do you take requests?

A: No

DER STUMPF - it literally means ‘the stump’, referring to the large pine log upon which the old alpine drinking game of Nageln (nails) is played. View More

Entertainers based in Surrey

Book directly with Phil Keith member since 29/08/2025

Book directly with Phil Keith member since 29/08/2025

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