Hammer Marks on the Blade - Why?

K

KnifeFury

Joined
Sep 21, 2006
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I was just curious why on some customs, they leave and advertise Hammer Marks left on the balde.

At a knife show, maybe 3-4 months ago I got to see one up close and did not care at all for the hammer marks. Just saw another blade on Ebay with hammer marks and am wondering why?

Is it a like it or dislike it thing? For reference, the blade I was mentioning is on "Ebay" Looks horrible to me. Why would you leave such a thing on the blade!
 
I think some people like the rustic look. There is a whole market for rustic looking knives.

Of course, having forged a bit myself, I'd say making the hammer marks look GOOD is quite a trick all on its own!
 
To me it's all about the type knife where the hammer marks are used. I don't care for the examples you shared as the hammer marks are the only portion of the knives that are rustic in design. Looks very out of place to me.

Now on a Winkler or Chuck Burrows piece they can add significantly to the overall rustic or "old world" / "frontier" look.
Here's two Winkler's as examples:

CopyofDANIELWINKLERIvoryDamascusBow.jpg


DANIELWINKLERPrimitiveDamascusBeltK.jpg
 
Kevin Jones said:
To me it's all about the type knife where the hammer marks are used. I don't care for the examples you shared as the hammer marks are the only portion of the knives that are rustic in design. Looks very out of place to me.

Now on a Winkler or Chuck Burrows piece they can add significantly to the overall rustic or "old world" / "frontier" look.
Here's two Winkler's as examples:
Click to expand...

I see what you mean with the first knife you showed. Wow.
 
To be able to forge a knife of those proportions and have everything come out straight, flat , symmetric and nice and even after grinding only a portion of the blade takes a good deal of skill in itself. As others have said it's all personal taste in the end, but you have to appreciate a well executed piece. On the other hand there are lot's of "rustic" pcs. that really don't cut the mustard. Just my thought's. Paul
 
There is a difference between scale and hammer marks.
I would think that hammer marks are more like deeper gouges in the blade from inexperienced forging.
The Winkler examples are more like scale that he didn't remove.
 
I like the look myself and have a couple of pieces showing hammer marks..I also appreciate finely polished blades as well...just depends on the knife.
 
Here's one I really like:

Mace Vitale's Personal Utility. This one speaks to me. I like it so much I got on Mace's waiting list to get one of my own.

personalutility.jpg


I hope it's ok to use the image here.

Gary
 
Sure is, Gary. Mace and I both agree.

The rustic 'look' is partial to more primitive blacksmithing and possibly neo-tribal work. I would be more inclined to like a piece without inducing more distressing hammer marks in it, but simply left raw from scale or the forge/press.

It can provide a great contrast of highly finished workmanship with unfinished stock. You may see some knives made out of rasps with the details partially let in them, too.

That said, I love the Winkler pieces more and although the Behring pieces are nicely made they look a bit contrived. I'll bet they sell though. Good for him.

(PS: Damn Kevin.... Those displays are a knockout! :thumbup: )

Coop
 
Perhaps "distress marks" would be a more universal term to describe these processes (hammer marks, scale, file remnants, stains) applied or left to enhance rustic knives.

Not always rustic though as Francesco Pachi used to utilize a chipping/raw grinding process as a contrast to fully finished surfaces which created a trademark and a very beautiful effect.

Thanks Coop on the displays.
 
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