BLACKSMITHING CHAT WITH OLD FRIENDS was:[TheForge] WHAT THE HELL

[Ralph]

>
>
>I know that I choose a hammer because it has the right weight to my hand,
>and generally a large grip, since I have large hands. I have used small
>hammers with small grips, but I use them strictly for special jobs- same
>with the bigger ones I have. I've found that a 22 oz hammer, for me,
>provides the best combo of metal moving and accuracy of strike. A large grip
>helps me avoid getting too tired too quickly, and I've added large handles
>to a couple of small hammerheads by shaving the end down to fit. I usually
>cut the handles off at my grip point, too- that helps make sure I grab it at
>the right spot when I'm concentrating on positioning my piece and where to
>hit it.

And I have fairly large hands.. well fingers are not real long but I have 
large palms..... ANyhoo,
My handles are all fairly small diameter.... I found that if I had too 
large or too small my hands got tired, and then hammers would be launched 
across shop..... not good when there are spectators......  :)

So I now have my handles in a mostly rectangle shape with rounded corners. 
But each corner has a slightly different radius, so I can tell by feel 
which side is up....
Works for me. Others my not like it, but since I am only trying to please 
me.... >:^)


Ralph

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