Latticino Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 Possibly related to the ongoing surge in interest in bladesmithing, or even blacksmithing in general, prices on dog's head/sawyers/Japanese Cutlers hammers have gotten a bit crazy. I forged up a copy of any original from a quick picture (foolishly didn't take any dimensions) out of a piece of 2 1/2" dia. 4140 in my home shop a short while ago. Still need to make some final tweaks to the face, as it currently needs a bit more crown, but thought I'd post for feedback. This is the third hammer I've forged, and the first in my home shop. Made good use of a striker (my son until he ran out of gas) and treadle hammer for the punching/drifting. Original (not my purchase, and price was from many years back): Mine: Not as happy with the rectangular crossection, but it distorted a bit when I did the punching and drifting. Still, it is just a hammer. Was aiming for around 3 LBS and lost a bit to grinding. I think it is at around 2.5 LBS now. Handle is deliberately beefy as I have large mitts and usually find most standard handles too thin. This was fun and I plan on making another after I get some use time on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 A friend of mine finished about a 3# a dog faced or whatever hammer a few weeks ago and it's a metal mover. I'm not sure if there is supposed to be a tilt to the face away from the handle, "toe heavy" to just get used to or what. Nice looking hammer you put together. Maybe get the boy a gas card? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 If you lost a half pound of metal at grinding forge alittle more and it will save you at grinding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latticino Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 Matto, That's good advice. Mostly I got carried away trying to make the facets all match and removing any hammer marks. It sure is a lot of work forging the large stuff, especially in high carbon. I do really enjoy making tools though, and this one looks a lot better in person than my poor photos. Once I get the face properly crowned I hope it will move metal like Frosty's friends. Not sure a gas card will do it... He runs out of steam because he isn't really all that interested and starts playing around with my large 15# striking hammer to get extra exercise. Then he gets too worn out to properly strike when I'm ready for him. If I tool up properly I think I can make do with the treadle hammer instead. Thanks for the feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 A treadle hammer eats less, wont ask for the car keys and you can sell it or cut it up without getting in trouble if it ticks you off enough. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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