First dressing of old/new hammers

[picker77]

I've been so wrapped up in getting a working forge setup done I neglected until now to clean up and dress my meager collection of new and old hammers. Finally finished, I hope. Although I'm a first timer at hammer dressing, I tried to follow the advice and rules I read on IFI about how to do this. They look pretty good to me, and if I can learn to use them correctly, I believe they will do the job.

Left to right in the photos of five hammers, are a 2 lb rounder, a 3-1/2 lb straight that was my grandfather's, a 2.2 lb Swedish cross, a 1-3/4 lb Swedish cross, and finally a 1 lb cross pein that also was my grandfather's (I see I left out the small 1-pounder in one of the photos). The two that were my grandfather's are from the early 1900's, probably about 1915 or earlier. I assume that 3-1/2 pound straight pein is way too much hammer for a beginner, but dang, it feels good in my hand.

Not pictured are 8-lb and 4-lb sledges, and my all time favorite "speed wrench", a fat little short handled 3-lb sledge I've owned since my 20's (50+ years), and several miscellaneous dead blow and different durometer rubber hammers. When I dragged them all out at once I was a little surprised at how many hammers I've collected over the years. Fortunately my wife didn't come out to the shop while I had them all laid out, that would probably have been hard to explain, lol.

 

 

[bigfootnampa]

They look pretty good to me!  You’ve polished them nicely!  I don’t see my favorite type there... Hofi type compact or balanced hammer.  So maybe you need more?  I think I could work with that collection though... you are well hammered!

[Irondragon Forge ClayWorks]

Ya done good.

[picker77]

Thanks, folks, for the encouraging words. Bigfootnampa, I think I'll pass on owning a Hofi -- the home forge is paid for, and we don't want another mortgage. Besides, a hammer like that would be wasted on a newbie like me until I've developed enough of a feel to appreciate it.

[arkie]

Well done on the hammer dressing....no sharp edges, all nicely rounded and polished.  You have a very nice collection (which will grow like crabgrass).  You will enjoy working with them.

[George N. M.]

My only comment is that in my personal experience I prefer a hammer that isn't quite polished to a mirror finish.  I don't care for the slick feel it gives on the hot metal.  I suggest that you try some surfaces from just smooth up to mirror finish and see what feels good for you.

"By hammer and hand all arts do stand."

[picker77]

Thanks, George. I'll keep that in mind. Sometimes when I get into polishing something I never know when to stop, ha. They probably won't stay shiny very long, I don't doubt I'll have them roughed up some in short order just from use. Was up your way (well, sort of - Shell Canyon area) recently, it was nice to breath that cool, dry Wyoming air again. Around here lately, breathing requires cutting off a chunk of air with your pocket knife and chewing on it.

[anvil]

Nice. My preference is for my cross peens to be flat cut, not rounded or narrow. I would dress at least one cross peen about 1/2"- 5/8" wide. Very Slightly rounded face and dressed edges. The black ceoss peen would be my hammer of choice.

Have fun

[Rojo Pedro]

Nice ones picker

Mr. Anvil can you share a picture if your favorite cross pien  thanks

[anvil]

On 9/5/2019 at 9:38 AM, Rojo Pedro said:

favorite cross pien

Here you go. The small one is more a special use cross peen. It's too narrow for me to be effective for "daily use". It is about 3/8" wide.

The other is about 5/8" wide and basically the other end of my "daily driver"

I consider a rounded cross peen a special use tool as well. 

For me, to move iron in a particular direction, you can't beat that 5/8" width with the edges dressed as you see.