The Pilodyn is an instrument (supplied by Kai R. Spangenberg, 26 Hovedgaden DK 2970 Horsholm, Denmark) for measuring the resistance of wood originally developed to detect the extent of soft rot decay in telegraph poles. It operates by firing a blunt pin of known diameter into the wood by means of a spring of known energy. The fracture surface area created by a constant energy source is determined. The result is an interaction of the various wood properties involved in its strength characteristics. The instrument provides a simple and rapid means of assessing waterlogged wood giving an overall indication of the extent of deterioration and it can be used in environments where other test procedures are impracticable. Summary of article originally published in <i>Studies in Conservation</i> (See * 2AATA<b> 23-750</b>). -- AATA