Blade forging hammer

[Lin Rhea]

I recently finished a hammer head to forge blades and to do general blacksmithing. It is my preferred size a hair over 2 lbs. The first picture is the stock similar to what I start with. Actually this piece of tug boat or rail road chain link is for a 3 lb hammer. Either way, its round stock about 6 inches.
 
I have to upset the section, making it shorter and fatter by squishing it end to end. This allows me to start squaring it to about 1 1/2 inch square X 4 1/2 or so. I then drill three small holes about 1/4 inch apart where the eye is going to be. This gives the punch/drift a path to travel as it goes through the head.

I do a lot of hammering, adjusting, hammering some more, grind a little, and then heat treat it. Here it is while its still hot.
 

This is the finished head.
 

[Lamey]

I like that, especially the shape of the face. My favourite hammer has a very similar face.

[kuch]

very , very nice .  most people don't realize how difficult it is to make a simple tool  very well. great job.

[kbaknife]

I'll bet that thing was hot an hour later!
Pretty sweet, Lin.

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks guys.
Yes Karl, it holds heat a while. This craft has taught me what little patience I have. You just can not rush steel when it has to go through some of it's internal transformations. Then again, sometimes you have to really rush it to get it to do what you want.  

[Roughcountry]

This is one of the main reasons I try to check this forum every day.
It don't get much better. Thanks for posting things like this Lin.

[akaboomer]

Very very nice. I hope I get to see that one.
Did you use a pre made handle or make it?

Thanks for sharing.

Chris

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks friends.

Chris, I actually bought some pre-made handles but I just about always will re shape them to suit me. I did that here too. Plus I added a clamp/counterweight to the handle.
   

This keeps the handle from splitting and gives you an index to let you know if your getting out on the end of the handle.
 
 

[Fallguy]

There just something about making the tool to make a better tool that is way cool. Unfortunately you need a hammer to make a hammer. Unless Lin will show us how to make a hammer using a rock.

[Lin Rhea]

Contrary to what most people think, I was not there when they forged the first hammer, but I've been asked that question a lot.        

I tried the new hammer out shortly after that last picture. We are needing a set of bench chisels and I thought I would see what I could do with it. Here is the first.
     

The chisel handle will fit on the sharp "tang" similar to a knife blade.

[Ray Hammond]

I really like them both Lin

[Kevin Evans]

Good Stuff!  

[Track]

Great work!