BLACKSMITHING CHAT WITH OLD FRIENDS was:[TheForge] WHATTHE HELL

[Demon Buddha]

Peter Fels and Phoebe Palmer wrote:
> 
> At 06:01 PM 6/20/02, you wrote:
> 
> Blacksmithing ...oh yeah!
> 
> One of the guys mentioned  recently that if the vibrational null node of a
> sword isn't at the  handle, it is a lousy sword.
> Which leads me to wonder if the same thing is why  some hammer handles
> become favorites and others stay in the hammer rack?
> Might be that the handle length and the pendular moment has something to do
> with it too. Any one know? Guesses?.....Pete F

	Huh... I would never have associated the desireable qualities
	of a sword with vibration.  Weight, "balance", cutting ability,
	yes.

	As for hammers, I think one of the biggest errors smiths make
	is in choosing a handle that is too thick.  An otherwise fine
	hammer will feel like absolute crap in the hand and will cause
	severe and rapid fatigue if the handle is too thick.  My handles
	are little skinny ones, about 1.25" thick, give or take.  I can
	swing all day with those.  Give me a thicker handle and I'm
	pooped in short order.

	Another error, IMO, is choosing a hammer that is too heavy.  I	
	am not a burly strong man.  I'm a skinny little guy and I can
	swing a 2 to 2 1/2# hammer all day.  Bump it to three pounds and
	I'm worn out in short order.  I can strike all day long as well
	with, say a 12# sledge, but that's different body mechanics.  A
	16# sledge will have me winded much faster.  For me, a pound here
	or there makes a larrge difference in how well I swing and for
	how long.  That's HAMMER swing for all you sick-o's out there.