Blacksmith Hammer

T

ThomStewart

Joined
Nov 1, 2015
Messages
31
Ok, so who here has made their own hammer(s) just for shits and giggles? I have a forge now and have some tong kits, but want to make a few hammers for me needs.

That brings up question #2, which hammers do you all think are needed for bladesmithing?
 
Hammers are a very personal choice, there are a lot of styles and preferences. Personally I like the Champion Maud S rounding hammers, and the Champion cross peens. I also have other vintage hammers from Heller and other makers. The important thing is how the hammer is dressed on the face, and not to use a hammer that is too heavy. Even a hardware store hammer, or a fleamarket find, can work well as long as there is a gentle radius on the edges to minimize dings in the work. 2 and 3 pound hammers work best for me. I have made a few smaller hammers for specialty work like chasing and riveting.
 
I find I like 2lb and 3lb cross peens and I use a 3lb rounding hammer a lot too. The cross peens I forged myself. In the beginning All I had was a 3lb Harbour freight cross which isn't a bad hammer as long you dress the face of it, grind the cross peen down so its thick and less pointy, and slim the handle down a lot because its way too fat. I used the Harbour freight hammer to make the 2lb and 3lb Cross peens. It wasn't easy. It took like 6hours each hammer, by hand and that doesn't include making the handles. But it was fun. Also I'm a tin knocker by trade so I was use to swinging a hammer all day.
 
I like using a Brazeal style rounding hammer. I have to say though, I have a problem because now I like to buy and collect handmade hammers.
 
I made a few hammers but kind of cheated,I cut down some 10 and 12 lb sledge hammers with an angle grinder I had here with broken handles
First hammer I made Thor would be proud of,about 6 lb that I only use now on my guillotine fuller
I also made a 3 1/2 lb cross pein and a 2 1/2 lb rounding hammer
I'd love to forge some but I'll wait til I have a press or power hammer
 
Most general forging hammers are simplest to buy. The ones you want to make are the ones you pay a lot for, or the ones you will rarely use, but would love to have one.

Making hammers from 4140 is not uncommon. Cutting down a small sledge and reshaping it is also common. The best hammers to make are specialty hammers. Make a Hofi clone, a Japanese Dogs-head hammer, and hammers for dedicated drawing of billets. Other fun hammers to make are ones with textured faces that leave a pattern on the steel. These are used to make a rough pattern on the upper bevel of some knife styles.

Other hammers that are fun to make are things like taking a ball peen hammer ab=nd forging the ball out into a long cone to be used as a punching and drifting hammer.

If you want to make hammers, buy a set of ductile iron drifts off ebay or from a blacksmith supplier (same, but more expensive).

Be advised that once you start making hammers and tools, you will need to make a good tool and hammer rack from angle iron and steel bars. Make the base wide and sturdy and put good quality 6" to 8" wheels on it. Just stuffing them in a bucket isn't that good of a system, and having a rolling rack with all your tools displayed and available is more professional and efficient. I have one drawn up to weld together for the new shop. I will look for the drawings and post a photo if I get a chance t his weekend. It has a flip down handle that allows pulling it around like a wagon.
 
Stacy, you answered the other question I have which is the proper steel for the hammers - 4140. Where do you usually get such steel?
 
Any steel with 50 points carbon or less will work. 4140, 4150, 1050. The3 biggest thing is a steel that you can get in 2X2" size.
 
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