hammer size?

K

kenvia

Joined
Nov 13, 2005
Messages
49
What size hammer should be used for basic shaping a blade out? Was using a 2 or 3 pound ballpeen hammer. Also want to say good on you guys that forge not so easy as heat some metal and pound on it. Either it's rookie mistakes or I don't have the touch for it or something seems like you hit it and the metal just kind of bends anyway it feels. But i'm going to keep trying. here's some pics.
2005_1222a0019.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c28/kenvia/2005_1222a0027.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c28/kenvia/2005_1222a0021.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c28/kenvia/2005_1222a0020.jpg
 
Reminds me of my first forge.

You may want to either read through the replies on your other posts , or check your spam list. I believe a Hampton knifemaker extended an invite to his place to see some forging.

Keep with it. It gets easier.
 
kenvia i am a newbie to bladesmithing as well but i can tell you this, be patient.search for an anvil at a price you can afford,dont worry one will come to you just sit and wait.if you look on ebay some of the prices/products will scare the crap out of you try taking a drive through farm country and ask your friends to help look too.
also the right hammer is key i first tried forging the same way small peice of rr rail and a ball pein ,it gets so much easyer with a cross pein.when your hitting your steel with a flat hammer like a ball pein the metal moves in every direction with a peening hamer you get more control.I started out just like you this summer,well i still suck but i have alot more tools now and have somewhat more knowledge.just about every one here will tell you tha same thing keep trying it only gets easyier and more fun. happy hammering:)

Oh yeah get some books too i picked up "how to make knives" by R.W Loveless and "the complete modern blacksmith" both were a big help :thumbup:
 
A 2-3# hammer is about right. Some big burly boys in here are known to swing some heavy steel though.
 
I've worked in two trades that hammer's were a must and noticed in both that the younger you are the bigger the hammer. As far as what Higgy said he's right on as far as size goes. I even drop down to 16oz durring the finishing heats. As far as the forging itself goes it just doesn't happen. When I first gave it a try my thoughts were "there's no way" but I never gave up on it. I'm to the point where at least I think I know what I'm doing....... :D
 
I do most of my work in the 1.5 to 2 lb. range. For moving a lot of metal I'll go up to 3-4 lbs. For finer work I'll drop to 13-16 oz. I think the 2 biggest improvements you can make are to get your anvil high enough to stand and either a bigger anvil (mass is your friend) or secure that stake better. Think of running a pair of straps over or through holes in the wedge. The more secure/bigger the anvil the more stable and thus the easier to work the steel.

Have you looked on ABANA's website for a local chapter?
 
It ain't the size that matters, it's how you use it :p

You do need to take the big guy up on his offer, you will learn lots in a short time with him.
 
I use a 3lb cross peen hammer 99% of the time. Sounds like you are forging too cold....
 
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