Smithing hammer from O1?

[Bob From Accounting]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I am going to make another hammer with a hammer. I plan on making a 2lb hammer out of O1 tool steel. I have a 1" diameter rod that I make my drifts out of. I have all the means to heat treat it does anyone have any objections or tidbits over using this steel. This hammer is going to be used for alot of my flat work on my blades and some fine tuning.

 

[mete]

It's really not an appropriate choice .You need tough not high hardness. Good hammer steels are ,4140,4340, S7, 5160,9260.

 

[Lieblad]

As mentioned it will work, just dont leave it too hard. But its not a good choice for hammers.

 

[JTknives]

The very first hammer I made was out of D2 and I have used it ALOT. And it's been perfect and still one of my favort hammers. When it comes to hammers I think just about any steel can be used as long as it's not harder then your anvil.