January 3, 201313 yr Ok now that were past the discussion if I should soften it or not I'd like to know how I should do this, to what colour I should bring the hammer and how to let it cool off and stuff. Most modern anvils are tempered to 48c Rockwell while most hammers are 50. Thus, hammers will usually be harder than anvils anyway. Try to have your work between the hammer and the anvil when you strike and it shouldn't be a problem. Having said that, I'll say that yes, there are indeed reasons why you need a hammer softened depending on whatever given project you're working on. To do so, get a bucket of lime. Heat your hammer red hot in the forge. Bury it in the lime bucket. Leave it alone till the next day. It will have slow cooled enough to be soft. Re-handle then go ahead and use :)
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