Bladesmithing hammers

[Mende]

I was curious to know how do bladesmithing/ Japanese hammers differ from normal hammer? Are they easier to control? Why did the have to be shaped like they are?

[Rich Hale]

I use a farriers style rounding hammer for almost everything including blades,,thaey have a slightly convex end on one end a almost flat on the other..they are balanced so I can turn to eith side as I need. I contour the handles so it fits my hand perfect when the flat side is towards the anvil if I pick it up with the round end down it feels different. I can tell from the feel with out looking. I would feel like I had a half a hammer if I could not use both ends of the hammer head.

[fat pete]

hey rich how heavy is that hammer u use...and how long is the handle?

[jimbob]

nice article here Swords98

[Mende]

Thx jimbob . .that really cleared it up for me. . .now I hope I can find or make one here. ..as blades are pretty much the only thing that interest me.. .