Anyang hammer owners

Sam Salvati

Sam Salvati

Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
5,060
Does anybody in the bladesmith community own one of these and/or use it on a daily basis? What are your opinions on them? Started looking real close at the 33 pounder.........
 
Sam Salvati said:
Does anybody in the bladesmith community own one of these and/or use it on a daily basis? What are your opinions on them? Started looking real close at the 33 pounder.........
Click to expand...
I am looking at that one too.
 
I have two words for anybody thinking about an air hammer. Iron. Kiss.

Sure, it'll be a little more, but I've used these hammers a bunch and they do more work, with more control, than anything else I've ever used. Also, they're made in the USA, just outside of Baltimore by a member of my blacksmith guild, John Larson. I'm saving for one myself.

So, I'm with Nick on this one ;)

-d
 
Before I purchased my Say-Mak, I did a lot of research and decided against purchasing an Anyang. I spoke with a number of individuals who either owned, or had owned them (those who had owned them told me they got rid of them for the reasons I'll give you), and while some said they didn't have any issues with them, several individuals, who use their hammers heavily, told me that the front of their hammer, where the front piston is located, would get so hot that it would literally burn you if you touched it after heavy or prolonged use, and a couple told me that about once ever six months they had to replace the front seal due to the heat build up. That threw up a red flag for me. A few folks also told me that getting parts, when needed, was somewhat difficult.
After working on several different hammers, I chose the Say-Mak that Tom Clark sold (Tom passed away recently, and I do not know if anyone is continuing with the Say-Mak hammers). I've owned it for 3 years this Feb, and have worked it very hard, with never a problem. Most of these hammers are very similar in design, but the internals is what made me choose the Say-Mak... fewer internal moving parts, an additional fresh air intake valve which solves the heat issues I've seen on similar hammers.
Do your homework and look at the hammers closely....they are not all created equal.

Edited to add: This hammer does not require an external compressor. You plug it into a 30amp/220v outlet and go.......I ruled out external compressor hammers because I had worked on them, and found too many drawbacks versus those that are stand alone units..... that doesn't mean those hammers that require an external compressor are not good hammers....They are just not something I like or want.

Here's a link to the Say-Mak....I would suggest calling to see if they are still available... http://www.ozarkschool.com/powerhammer.htm
 
Last edited:
Great info Ed!

I've used a couple of "Tom's" 110# hammers and they definitely have awesome control.

Tom also started importing a 135# hammer awhile back. I talked to Cliff Parker about it, and he said it doesn't hit a whole lot harder than the 110, but has a lot more clearance.

Like Ed said, I'm not sure of the availability now that Tom has passed.
 
I too have used the say mak, and while it is THE CADILLAC of hammers, I am afraid it is much more than I will need from a hobby/space/commonly worked materials outlook. I mentioned the 33 pounder in my OP due to the fact I am looking for a small hammer, but thanks for the input Ed.

Deker that IronKiss is SOMETHING ELSE also, I have not had the chance to work on one yet personally but I have heard nothing but good things. However, the seperate compressor thing is a major turn off for me also (plus I love the CHUFF CHUFF CHUFF CHUFF of the self contained hammers).

As to availability of parts, Ed I think that was back when the old US dealer for anyang was still around, or maybe it was when his health was not good anymore. The new US Rep is James R Johnson, a full time blacksmith from Texas.

http://www.anyangusa.net/

All in all much more of a "presence" than the previous agent, not talking ill of anyone just saying. James is active online and has setup a nice website (linked above) and is extremely helpful and quick to answer questions and queries.
 
Last edited:
Maybe I am just stupid...but are these made in China?

I read a bit in a link about Massey Anyang.

If so, I feel so much better about calling Sid and getting my old "AMERICAN" made Littler Giant still goingstrong after 105 years.

Sorry to be a bummer.

Bad enough Wal Mart killed most of the small stores in my town...

Don't get me started.

This is me shutting up now.

Shane
 
John Nicholson is the UK rep for anyang, he also is the rep for Massey forging hammers and equipment also.

Yes, they are made in china
 
The Say-Mak is still available. I hear Tom left some good folks running things, and they have a large inventory of hammers. Tom basiclly re-engineered the hammers and was part owner of the company that makes them. I've forged on a lot of Tom's hammers and they are great.

Anyang, I have heard from more than one source that the Strikers are much better.

I have been a power hammer nut for way too long and have used almost all of them.
I like my Little Giants best of all :D
 
Sam Salvati said:
Deker that IronKiss is SOMETHING ELSE also, I have not had the chance to work on one yet personally but I have heard nothing but good things. However, the seperate compressor thing is a major turn off for me also (plus I love the CHUFF CHUFF CHUFF CHUFF of the self contained hammers).
Click to expand...

If you can make it down to the Fire & Brimstone hammer-in in March one of John's hammers should be there to play with. ;)

One of the real bonuses of John's hammers IMHO is that you can adjust the stroke height as well as the stroke speed of the hammer. The speed adjustment is one thing I really like that you just can't get from a self-contained hammer. It also gives you a "clamping" feature that can be useful at times as well.

I've been using one of his old prototype hammers at a Kerry Stagmer's place (he'll be hosting the F&B hammer-in) and I've been able to do some VERY impressive forging with it. For example, I took a billet that was just about 1 1/2"x3 1/2"x6" and work it down into a 24" bar in 3-4 heats. And John's hammers have seen a lot of improvements since then.

Like I said, I've looked at a lot of hammers and I know what I'll be buying. It's not the cheapest, but John stands behind his hammers 100% and I believe after spending some time using them as well as a lot of time talking to John about them that they are the best hammer I can buy.

Just my $.02,

-d
 
what do you guys think about Big Blu hammers? My only problem with any hammer of that type is where to put the compressor.
 
I wish I had the space and amount of work to warrant buying a hammer like the Ironkiss or a Say Mak, but I don't do much production work. I hope to be able to get down to Kerry and Matt's this year, I was very bummed I missed it last year.
 
jdm61 said:
what do you guys think about Big Blu hammers? My only problem with any hammer of that type is where to put the compressor.
Click to expand...

I plan to have the compressors outside the shop in a separate little "lean-to" on the back of the shop.

From what I hear the Big Blue hammers are really nice machines, but, well....I've already said what my choice is :) If you're looking to spend Big Blu money though, I'd implore you to talk to John Larson and let him tell you about his hammers. I think he could make a pretty compelling case for his hammers over the Big Blu.

-d
 
Sam Salvati said:
I wish I had the space and amount of work to warrant buying a hammer like the Ironkiss or a Say Mak, but I don't do much production work. I hope to be able to get down to Kerry and Matt's this year, I was very bummed I missed it last year.
Click to expand...

Bring down something big to forge down. Better yet, bring 3 and you can run all the hammers that will be there :)

-d
 
I have never heard anything bad about John's hammers, but have heard good and bad against the Big Blu, I would personalyl take the Ironkiss over the Blu though.

Deker, you bet I'll bring something fun :D .
 
My problem with the Iron Kiss hammers is that they are about $1400 more for the 100 pound model than Big Blue charges for their 110.
 
jdm61 said:
My problem with the Iron Kiss hammers is that they are about $1400 more for the 100 pound model than Big Blue charges for their 110.
Click to expand...

A 100lb Iron Kiss can move more steel than a Big Blu 110. This is due to the anvil:ram ratio. Big Blue has a 6.5:1 anvil:ram ratio. John uses a 16:1 anvil:ram ratio. Just like you can work steel faster with a 200lb anvil than a 100lb anvil due to anvil mass, it's the same with a power hammer. I would put money that I could draw out some of Don's W2 fast on an Iron Kiss than on a Big Blu.

You can make that money back very quickly if your time is worth anything to you.

-d
 
Sam,

I would suggest you purchase the largest and best hammer you can afford. I never thought I would ever want or need a 100# hammer but I have grown into it. Back in the day I also never thought I would ever use up a 200Meg hard drive on my computer. Though I only make knives for the most part, the larger equipment allows me to make things like large Damascus billets, mosaics and even break down Don's 2" w-2 with ease. A 33# hammer will work for shaping etc, but if you get into much larger stuff you will be disappointed. I have no experience with most of the hammers mentioned, but I know you will grow into a larger hammer. Been making any tongs lately??
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top