scotto Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 If you were new to blacksmithing and wanted to buy a nice hammer, which one would you get for your main "go to" hammer. Which specific model of the Bailey hammer or would you go with a Brazeal type of hammer... etc?After watching the videos on the explanation and use of the Brazeal hammer it looks like you need a real consistent swing to really benifit from all the different radii. Looks like this hammer might cause problems when you're still trying to develope a good consistant swing? On a side note, is a brass hammer suitable for using on punches? One of the items will be more sacraficial, the chisel or the hammer. Whats your view?Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 I would take a 2.5 lb diagonal pein hammer........good weight to start and keep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yves Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Habermann hammer, 2,8 pounds. It was my first hammer and it has become "my" hammer.No mushrooming of the punches with a brass hammer. I use one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 I would go to the local fleamarket and find an old single jack for about US$5 and dress the face and spend the rest of the money on books and DVDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Were I new to blacksmithing and had today's resources available. I'd take a class and use the instructor's hammers till I found what I liked. Of course then I'd have a list of hammers and uses to fill.Depending on how strong a guy is I usually don't recommend more than a 2lb. hammer to start with. It's heavy enough to be productive but won't make mistakes permanent as fast as heavier. Most importantly it's less likely to do permanent damage to the student while I teach him/er how to use one without putting undue stress on joints.One by name? 32oz. Drilling hammer. Good weight, small face so psi on impact is a fair match to heavier and they have shorter handles which makes control easier.Once you've developed good hammer control you can use heavier hammers and strike harder to good affect without hurting yourself.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 I concur with both Thomas and Frosty and would add, if I was new to smithing and wanted a "new" hammer.......I'd aspire to make one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickOHH Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 I aspired to make a hammer my first forge, but when it was done it was a little on the light side and had a bend in it, but get it hangs my keys great !! If I were to get a new hammer when I began IDE have to go 2.5# rounding hammer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 This is sort of like asking should you get a Ferrari or a Maserati to learn how to drive in? The general answer is get an old beater car and work your way up to where the fancy expensive ones actually will make a difference to your driving. All the fancy tools I have tend to be ones sold for pennies on the dollar by folks who were hugely excited to get started smithing and sunk tons of money in fancy tools only to find out that the tools don't do good work---the smith does! Then they sell out and move on to their next enthusiasm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotto Posted October 9, 2015 Author Share Posted October 9, 2015 Thanks for the replies and concerns. Everything posted has been taken in to consideration.Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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