Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 I got to thinking we don't have a thread about special hammers you have and why you love them. Doesn't matter if you made them or not. I have two. Number 1 a 2- 1/5 pound cross pein, nothing special about it except it belonged to my grandfather and it's my go to hammer in the forge, had to re-handle it last year. Number 2 a 3- 7/8 pound dogs head with a slightly angled face. It was given to me by Ike Doss in "85. I don't know if he made it or not but it was old when I got it. I think it's a sawyers hammer. I don't use it much due to the weight but it will draw steel out like crazy. Out of all the hammers I have, those are my favorites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awrksmokey Posted July 1, 2020 Share Posted July 1, 2020 This was an overpriced, cast, completely average hardware store hammer, but it was the first hammer I ever used. 2lbs crosspeen. I rasped the varnish off, reshaped the handle to my liking and refaced both sides several times as it is a bit soft. Not an excellent hammer by any means but it was my first hammer and it still works well, and will work well for a while longer. The second one was the first hammer I ever made. I have a different post about it, but I've always been super interested in hammer making, and it was an incredible amount of fun! It has a ton of flaws and isn't that amazing, but it's mine and it works haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 1, 2020 Share Posted July 1, 2020 Probably drop forged rather than cast---looks like drop forge "flash" rather than a casting one. I'll try to get some pictures of my oldest hammers---original wrought iron with steeled faces and my most used hammers; maybe this weekend but no access Friday-Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momatt Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 Thomas I will look forward to pictures of your oldest hammers. awrksmokey, my first hammer looks like yours. Is says made in Mexico. I drifted the eye larger and left it soft and use it for beating drifts. iron dragon that is an interesting hammer. Looks like it would move some metal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBones Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 This is my hammer. I made this one a while back ago and it is now an extension of my arm. Comes in at just under 3# (2# 14oz or so), 4140. This pic was taken just after i handled it so now it is nowhere near as shiny and "new" looking. The handle is just store bought handle, hickory. I put a little black stain on then wipe away a lot of it. I will say that i got lucky with this. At the time when i made it i did not know nearly what i know now and got the heat treat right. Well maybe not right, but it aint soft and aint cracked or broke so i am calling it good. Pure luck on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benona blacksmith Posted July 6, 2020 Share Posted July 6, 2020 A couple cross peen hammers I've made that I find I use quite a bit. a rounding hammer I made at a hammer making class i took with Dan Moss and James Davis. I just recently broke the handle a Japanese style bladesmiths hammer made from the pivoting jaw of a post vise I found at an antique barn/store. With a forge welded face. these are the 2 most used hammers. Bothe are straight pens. The first one is 4 lbs and the second is 8 lbs. this last one is the only "new" hammer I use daily. All the others are antiques or hammers I've made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 6, 2020 Share Posted July 6, 2020 A few from the racks: Oldest: the leftmost was dug out from the mud under a scrap iron pile in the UK; right two from the fleamarket. All steeled wrought iron: odd hammers My most commonly used hammers A view of the main rack: A view of the armouring+ rack: Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the small hammers on the non-ferrous/jewelry rack. Most I've spent on a hammer was US$35; most of these were $5 and under; been collecting them about 40+ years now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluerooster Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 Well I don't know about "cherished" hammers, but here are the ones that get used regularly over others that I have. I swing this one all day , every day. I've had it for over 20 years, and it's due for a new handle, but it's kinda like an old friend. It will drive a 16 penny nail with 3 licks, one to start, and two to drive it home. And left to right, is my favorite cross peen, along with my favorite soft hammer, and the head is a 5lb bronze that I also like, but the handle gave out and I need to replace it. The one on the right is the 8 pound that I use to drive stakes, and straighten frames. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 Your "cross pein" while the pein IS crosswise to the the handle, is a tin knocker's forming hammer. What does it weigh? It looks to be in fine condition and are very useful though not so much for blacksmithing. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 More commonly used as an auto-body mans hammer when autos were made of sheet metal that could be hammered back in shape instead of plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 Good Morning, Bronze or Copper hammers are used for the 'Knock-Offs' for Wire Wheels. Also used in Dynamite manufacturing facilities. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeden gegen Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 Three fine TOR Z bashers, all from my grandad, elite hammers people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 All wonderful hammers.. Smeden gegen, I've always like the Swedish pattern hammers and the Double horn blacksmiths anvils.. Any good place to see both older examples? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 16 hours ago, swedefiddle said: Bronze or Copper hammers are used for the 'Knock-Offs' for Wire Wheels Yep, used one in my racing days back in the '60s. I now use it to finish cutting on the hot cut so I don't have to worry about hammer or hot cut damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeden gegen Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 8 hours ago, jlpservicesinc said: All wonderful hammers.. Smeden gegen, I've always like the Swedish pattern hammers and the Double horn blacksmiths anvils.. Any good place to see both older examples? Explain closer and I’ll try to assist hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluerooster Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 On 7/18/2020 at 9:35 PM, Frosty said: Your "cross pein" while the pein IS crosswise to the the handle, is a tin knocker's forming hammer. What does it weigh? It looks to be in fine condition and are very useful though not so much for blacksmithing. Yes, I bought that hammer 30 years ago, and have used it daily for about 23 of those years. I can make sheet metal dance and sing with that hammer. On 7/19/2020 at 1:08 AM, swedefiddle said: Bronze or Copper hammers are used for the 'Knock-Offs' for Wire Wheels. Also used in Dynamite manufacturing facilities. And many other places where you don't want sparks, or don't want to bung up threads, or..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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