Rhyfelwr Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Today I forged and punched my first hammer. I know it doesn't look like much but I made some "S" hooks to hang tools on using it and I am really pleased with the balance. It weighs 20oz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 not bad ...now your be saying when you pick one up in the store ...do I want to pay good money for this or go home and make one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Balance, shmalance. It feels good because you made it yourself. Good Job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fciron Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 whaddya mean doesn't look like much? It looks like a hammer! Nice work. Unless you're intentionally going for the caveman look you might consider splitting or sawing the blank for your handle out of a larger piece of wood and then carving it to shape. It will last longer if it it is free of knots and splitting. A split handle can also pinch some flesh off your hand when you hit with it. Blood-blisters are no fun. (Not intended as criticism or a put down, there are plenty of ways to injure yourself, so let's avoid the ones we can.) My first hammer had a handle carved out of some firewood and I've still got it. Lewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 The first is always ugly and rough...but is good. Now the next ones will be better but keep on keeping on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhyfelwr Posted November 23, 2010 Author Share Posted November 23, 2010 What I was the most proud of, was that I hot punched the hole through it; with a slitter I made myself that morning! Jimbob - I already like making my own punches/chisels/hardi's and tongs.. Hard to resist making hammers now! Grant - You are probably right, I just like the feel 'cause I made it.. Lewis - I just rough carved the handle from a limb of Osage, I probably aught to make a better one. Maybe straight grained Oak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Looks just like a hammer to me, I'd use it no question. Making your own tools puts you in better connection with them, the hammer I made is one of my favorites. I bought a 1" x 4" x 8' hickory board at a local hardwood seller's and when I mentioned what I was going to use it for he showed me the boards Mark prefers for making his hammer handles. I was there because Mark told me where he got his hickory but it seems there are bragging rights associated with selling handle material to blacksmiths. Anywho, I made a drift to make a rectangular eye and make long tapered slab handles with a little swelling at the end. Being slab sided makes them much easier to angle as I want for effect and having the long straight taper makes them a LOT less tiring to use. The enlarged round end is so it's really unlikely to slip out of my hand if I get tired, distracted, etc. Yes, I HAVE accidentally thrown a hammer on occasion but not one of the tapered slab handled ones. I stole Uri's hammer handle idea and improved on it. . . Well, I think so anyway. One of the truly wonderful things about being a blacksmith is being able to make tools as YOU wish and not have to settle for what's available. Frosty the Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhyfelwr Posted November 24, 2010 Author Share Posted November 24, 2010 Frosty - Do you have a picture of your handle? I am very much interested, I think I know what you are saying but I'd still like to see a picture! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fciron Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 If you can get a big chunk of Osage Orange, knot and check free, then you'll can carve a really nice handle. The twisty grain actually makes it less likely to split and it's one of the densest and most durable woods around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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