Jeff Mack Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 I've been looking at forging a norse hammer based on the Mastermyr find, and notices somthing in common with a lot of hammers of that age. They seem to have a peek where the hole is drifted for the handle. See pic here: Any thoughts as to why they are forged like that? Thanks! Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irnsrgn Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 You have to have enough meat at the eye to hold the handle from flopping around, and it also gives it heft or weight I imagine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_sandy_creek_forge Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 this is just a thought and by no means an informed opinion in anyway whatsoever:) I would think that the peak or bulge was to give more surface area for contact between the handle and head, providing a more secure fit. Also the peak probably adds some amount of strength to the hammer as a whole. Many modern ball pein hammers have a similar effect where the center section is flattened and therefore gives more surface area contact between the head and the handle. Again these are just thoughts. It might very well be as simple as "that's the way it's always been done" syndrome. -Aaron @ The SCF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Murch Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Might be because when the hole is drifted, it bulges out, then it is hammered back down evenly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Murch Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Like this. See the bulge, and how the sides of the eye are even with the stock. A buddy and me forged this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 I have read that the double drifted poll eye used on most modern hammers is a fairly recent development (last 200 years). I am referring to the practice of driving the drift in from both sides so the narrow spot is in the middle of the hammer body, which allows a pretty firm lock on the handle when it is wedged. Prior to that, hammers had straight eye walls so more surface area was better for holding power on the wood. It is also a natural way to make it - i.e., when starting with a bar and working to both ends, the part in the middle stays the largest. In use, it also provides mass behind the working face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keykeeper Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 Seems to me, that with the taper formed from eye down to the face, that the hammer would take more force to break or deform. But, I'm just a newbie, just my thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Mack Posted September 15, 2006 Author Share Posted September 15, 2006 Good stuff, thanks for all the responses. Now off to find some thick stock to beat into a hammer shape. Thanks! Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Admin Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 Use the I Forge Iron search engine and type in mastermyr. There was a discussion on that earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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