You can make the, uh, like Shawn said, removable by fitting it to the bow with a peg. So that the damage won't likely extend to the foredeck, and you can replace it easily.
Typically Greenlandic. This tip from Harvey Guru Golden. ;-}

: I've barely paddled my Pygmy AT17 (first wooden boat) yet, but those bayonet
: points at the stem and stern have always worried me. Eventually I'll ram a
: wharf, bridge abutment, poolside, or another boat. I'm concerned about
: damage to the stem points -- as well as safety for paddlers or swimmers.

: I was checking out Rob's new model, see photo at link below, and I saw that
: the bow & stern tips have what look to be wooden knobs on them. Do you
: all wear similar protection? I can see advantages. Also curious about
: correct nomenclature relating to same. If none exists, let's make it up.