Cutler's/sawmaker's hammer

[Sam Salvati]

Finished forging this guy today, from 1045. I still have to heat treat it, and that is only a temporary handle(I am working on handles, how they should feel, balance, fit the hammer head). Comments and critique welcome, I tried contouring the handle, and I like how it works out and fits into my hand, what are your opinions on that shape(hourglass)? it is stamped with my maker's mark, and 08 for the date. Thanks Greg, this 1045 is GREAT stuff!

 

[smh25]

Beautiful work! If you need a buyer let me know.

 

[fitzo]

Neat hammer, Sam. I will be interested to hear how that handle performs for a day's work. There's a nerve bundle in the center of the palm right where that looks like it sits. With that hump pressing in right there, I'm curious to see if it makes things better or worse.

 

[Sam Salvati]

Thanks guys! SMH, I just might you will be the first to know. Mike, I will give it a try, I have problems with that part of my palm ACHING sometimes, I know it is partly due to too large of a handle, but too small will also do it as well, I am hoping the palm swell will cushion into the palm crotch (not jam into it).

 

[Bill Armstrong]

Cool Hammer! I've been making the old style rectangular handles (rounded off of course) for some of my hammers and really like them! Seems like it helps control...Bill

 

[Sam Salvati]

Thanks Bill! I have used the octagonal handles and they are very nice, this contoured handle though feels very good! If you have a spare hammer head, throw together a quickie handle from some pine and try the feel of it, if you like it make one to match from hickory or a nice handle wood.

 

[Sam Salvati]

Here is a set of large tongs, the longer pair is 3 foot long overall, with 2 foot 6 inch reins(handles), and the smaller set has 2 foot handles, 2 foot 4 inches overall. The larger set is to hold 1 inch wide 1/4 thick, but will also hold many other sizes from square to round stock, and holds about a 2 inch bit on the material, or up to 4 inches. The smaller set is to hold 3/8ths and any size thinner thick flat bar, from 1 3/4 wide up to 3 1/2 wide, with a 3 inch bite on the material being held. Forged out from 5/8ths round bar, with a little under a 1/2 round pin, also forged by hand. During forging the longer pair grew about 6 inches.

Signed with my maker's mark and dated 08, I count these, even though they are tongs, to be among my best work yet.

 

[A C Richards]

Sam that hammer looks familiar

How do you like it??? I love mine forges like a dream.

 

[Sam Salvati]

Cool Chuck, did you make that one? I agree, they forge very well! I have my swedish pattern hammers, and my Hofi, and these hammers are right up there with the swedish patterns and even the Hofi, they are very hard accurate hitters.

 

[A C Richards]

Yeh i made this one and have made 2 more since. Picked up some 4140 cheap at the scrap yard and have enough to make many hammers out of it. I actually like my smaller one. It only weighs about 1.5lbs. Really easy to control.

 

[Sam Salvati]

You got a HECK of a scrap yard!!!!!! I enjoy making tools, and most recently have gotten into hammers and am really digging it they are just a riot to make and you can never have enough.

 

[A C Richards]

Can't believe this scrap yard. Got the guy saving all the commercial band saw blades for me and wagon wheel tires (wrought iron). They know me pretty well there. Only lived here for 8 months now and go by at least once a week.Much Much cheaper than new. I live really close to Pacific steel also so their color coding is accurate at the yard.

 

[Sam Salvati]

Damn.......... Make em something nice for all the trouble.

 

[A C Richards]

Oh i pay well for the steel.. They get 4x what they pay for it and i am the only one who wants the thinner bandsaw material. He threw out a bunch of under 1/8 and i about cried. Showed him what i do with it and he understands now. Even the last bit i got he only kept 100lbs out of 4.

 

[Sam Salvati]

Damn that sounds like a great yard.