Poll - What is your primary forging hammer?

[Glenn]

What is your primary forging hammer?
97 votes were turned in.

Cross pein ( ---- | ) as you look at the pein
46 votes or 47.4%

Straight pein ( ---- -- ) as you look at the pein
18 votes or 18.6%

Ball pein ( ----- o )
15 votes or 15.5%

Diagonal or slash pein ( ---- ) as you look at the pein
8 votes or 8.2%

Diagonal or slash pein ( ---- / ) as you look at the pein
5 votes or 5.2%

Double faced Sledge, no pein ( o----o )
5 votes or 5.2%

Carpenters hammer ( -----? )
0 votes or 0%

There was some discussion on the proper names and configuration of the peen. From what I have found on the internet and in asking other blacksmiths a straight peen hammer has the peen in line or parallel or straight with the handle (----- ---). A cross peen has the peen turned cross ways or 90* to the direction of the handle (----- |). My graphics leave much to the imagination but (----- ) would be the handle and ( | ) would be the peen so (----- |) would represent a cross peen hammer.

Thank you for your votes and comments.

[Jmercier]

My most used hammer is a 40oz cross pien. It's a little light, and I should probably work with something a bit larger, but it's the one I'm most comfortable with.

[ksb]

Probably a 2 kg. French cross pien with a 1.5 kg. German cross pien running a close second.

Ken

[Jymm Hoffman]

This is the hammer I use most of the time. About 1 3/4 pound, traditional English pattern cross pien. I forged it from H13. I have used a couple of hammers of this shape and size as well as this handle shape for over 15 years. Not long after I made one of these, I also stopped using a death grip, then stopped wearing an elbow wrap and haven't since. With this handle, I can pretty well keep my hand in the proper position while changing the angle of the hammer face or switch in mid swing to the pien. Not only can I choke up for light work I can also get out on the end of the handle to get more power. The handle is hickory and feels really nice in my hand.

[JimG]

My Primary forging hammer is a 25 pound Jardine.

[Glenn]

What is your primary forging hammer?
97 votes were turned in.

Cross pein ( ---- | ) as you look at the pein
46 votes or 47.4%

Straight pein ( ---- -- ) as you look at the pein
18 votes or 18.6%

Ball pein ( ----- o )
15 votes or 15.5%

Diagonal or slash pein ( ---- ) as you look at the pein
8 votes or 8.2%

Diagonal or slash pein ( ---- / ) as you look at the pein
5 votes or 5.2%

Double faced Sledge, no pein ( o----o )
5 votes or 5.2%

Carpenters hammer ( -----? )
0 votes or 0%

There was some discussion on the proper names and configuration of the peen. From what I have found on the internet and in asking other blacksmiths a straight peen hammer has the peen in line or parallel or straight with the handle (----- ---). A cross peen has the peen turned cross ways or 90* to the direction of the handle (----- |). My graphics leave much to the imagination but (----- ) would be the handle and ( | ) would be the peen so (----- |) would represent a cross peen hammer.

Thank you for your votes and comments.

[Sam Salvati]

My Primary forging hammer is a 25 pound Jardine.

GREAT answer! My primary foprging hammer is a 2.5-3 pound Hofi Hammer.