I've got two questions which are kinda interlinked...

 

1)  What do you think about buying hammers without being able to feel them? I.e over the internet or having to pay a shop upfront before they'll order it in.

 

2) I've just come across the brand Gedore, does anyone know if they're any good?

 

Can you guess the link?  ;) I'm not keen on the idea of spending £30 on a hammer I can't feel before I part with my money but there's no shops anywhere near me (as far as I know) that stock German pattern hammers, AKA "engineers' hammers".

I don't; I tend toward boot sales and smithing conferences to pick up hammers.  I want to feel the heft, handle shape and how hard the face is before I spend money. 

Gedore looks like a pretty reputable maker of high quality tools.

 

http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS268&q=gedore+tools&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=Rn_xUaGKJIKuqgHKqYCoCw&biw=1233&bih=668&sei=l3_xUfSUGIW2qQGXvIGIBg#um=1&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS268&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=gedore+tools+hammers&oq=gedore+tools+hammers&gs_l=img.3...127637.130585.0.131171.8.8.0.0.0.0.128.830.5j3.8.0....0...1c.1.22.img..7.1.127.tKjdXKaYC8s&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.49784469%2Cd.aWM%2Cpv.xjs.s.en_US.MpiVkF51mpA.O&fp=4f4e25c458f0e7c2&biw=1233&bih=668&imgdii=_

Gedore stuff is generally good. It's not a brand I seek out because it tends to be fairly pricy in the UK, but the quality is pretty high. I've only really used their spanners/wrenches and sockets though.

 

Cromwell in the UK sell a range of "Kennedy" machinists hammers from 0.5 kg up to 2 kg, at reasonable prices and fairly decent quality. They appear to be German-pattern (DIN 1041) and are well worth checking out. Nearest branch to you is probably Rochester, but they also sell online.

Gedore is good stuff and comes with a lifetime g/tee.  Stupid prices though. Pawn shops, car boot sales and 2nd hand shops are a good bet usually.

 

Ian

I started out with yard sale hammers in the 2$ to 5$ range put new handles on them and still use many of them.  I also have forged a bunch for my self.  Don't over think the hammer thing until you get serious and develop your style. 

Cheers folks.

Thanks Tim, I had seen the Kennedy hammers on the Cromwell site before but assumed they'd be poor quality because (relatively speaking) they're so cheap. Somehow even though I scrolled through their branch list 2 or 3 times I missed that Rochester branch so maybe I'll mosey on up there.

 

Whilst I've got your attentions, what do you all think of this pattern of hammer? http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/pi/mp/8145/635073811?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.downloadedimages.com%2FImagesJuly%2F31SRYu8oQdL.SL500AA300.jpg&d=4177c7c8d40291a86d0d2a63199cb70964776372

Looks pretty similar to my harbor freight cross pein (8$) maybe a little longer in the snout with more definition in the octagon. Pretty typical.

Speaking to your original question, do they have a good return policy if you decide the style just doesn't fit you?

Nah, no refunds on something ordered in special. Shame these companies don't do 1.25kg / 2.75lbs.

surely there must be a smith over there that makes hammers....IMHO that's where you want to go for the best blacksmith hammers; however, they are pricey. On the cheap side, almost any hammer in the desired weight and configuration would make a fine hammer after it's properly faced, maybe re-heat treated and handled, further modified to your specs if necessary. The best thing about them is the metal is usually good and the eye is already there, just needs proper finishing. You need to put some work into them, but then it's "your" hammer. Reminds me of great grandfather's hammer......handles been replaced several times and the head once or twice....but it's his hammer........ :)


oh......and you can always take a heavier hammer and grind it down to the weight you want

Kurgan,

 

Your part of the world must be "awash" with old ball pein hammers. Have you even thought of "pre-loved" :D

 

Ian

Cheers for the food for thought rthibeau. Yeah Ian, I'm going to a boot fair tomorrow for a hunt around. I do constantly hunt in salvage yards, junk shops and the like.