Hello,
I've recently started blacksmithing, and I have a question about tool making. Specifically, is there a general rule to follow in determining the proper proportion of a handle to the head of a hammer/fuller/punch/etc?
Right now I'm making a normal cross-peen hammer out of 1 1/4" square stock (I don't know quite how heavy it will be; it's still attached to the bar so I can forge without tongs.) I got a large number of hammer handles pretty cheaply in a number of different sizes, plus a handle I got from Lowe's before I realized what an exorbitant rate they charge for them. I have handles in these lengths:
15 7/8" (That's the one from Lowe's listed as a blacksmith hammer handle)
14"
13 1/8"
12 1/4"
11 7/8"
So is there a general rule for weight/ handle length ratio? I've searched all over and haven't found much. I'd love to hear your opinion.
Thanks,
Luke
