slick hammer handles

[Alan DuBoff]

I'm being taught to use no gloves at all, on either hand. If the stock is hot, cool it in the slack tub. Otherwise use tongs. A large tall slack tub helps, like the barrels at the smithy I use. I need to find one for home...

Curious about the hammer handles though, all the ones at the smithy are smooth and I don't feel any problems.

If the handle gets slipery, seems like one might be working too hard, I don't know. I certainly prefer an old, smooth handle, on the hammer.