[TheForge] blacksmith question holding hammers

Fri Jul 18 12:31:00 2003

I have a blown tendon on one of the knuckles of my hammer hand.
Consequently, my grip is only about 25% of what it used to be prior to the
injury.
Were I to try gripping the hammer handle (normally), I couldn't do it.

So my hammer technique is more like bouncing a tennis ball on the anvil.
I actually release my grip just as the hammer hits the work.
I found out at last year's QuadState Roundup (in Troy, Ohio) that this is
virtually identical to the hammer technique advocated by Uri Hofi.
At the end of the day, my hammer arm (and hand) isn't the least bit tired and
my knuckle hurts no more than had I not been blacksmithing.
My other arm does feel the effect of holding tongs all day, though.

Others can better describe the Hofi hammer technique than I since I heard it
described to me second hand. I do recommend you investigate it, though.
It sounds as if you're holding a hammer to blacksmith the same as you would to
drive a nail. The Hofi technique is totally different.

If you've ever thrown a baseball then you know how much easier it is if you
keep a relaxed grip on the ball.

All the best,

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Grover Richardson
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2003 12:02 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: [TheForge] blacksmith question holding hammers

I have found that unless I hold the hammer extremely hard, it tends to
slip out of my hands while hammering.  Even then, I have to keep moving
my hand up the shaft.  I could take a grinder to the handle and make a
knob on the end of it, but this seemed a bit radical, particularly if I
do it wrong.

So, I took a piece of leather and wrapped it around the handle.  I used
aluminum tape to tape the half of the wrap that is furthest from the
head.  Then, rolled the leather over the aluminum.  Now, I can hold the
hammer loosely, and the edge of my hand will be stopped from sliding off
the end of the handle by rubbing on the thick part made by the leather.
Works great.  I can send a pix directly if someone wants one.

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Sweany
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2003 11:35 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [TheForge] blacksmith question

SOunds like Blacksmiths elbow. They make a little velcro band that goes
around your forearm. Drug store or maybe walmart in the sports section.

You get it from gripping the hammmer or in my case the tongs too
tightly.  there is a good hammer control tutorial on anvilfire.  Mine
went away after I learned not to do those things.  Found out usiing my
thumbs on the steering wheel, aggravated thais condition too. I just use
a loose grip on the wheel now. (make all the cracks you want I can take
it.)

There is an excercise that helps this condition too. Put a rubber band
over the fingers of the affected arm and stretch the rubber band outward
by spreading the fingers.

This excersises the other side of the affected muscles.   Just hang onto
the rubber band and do it when you think of it.

Oh yeah the band at the drugstore maybe listed as a "tennis elbow" band.
:)

my .02, been there.

"[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote:
need information I been doing blacksmith as a hobby for three years went
to class in Mossuri. now I have been having problem with elbow infection
having been doing blacksmith for three months now should i go back or
find another hobby what do you think?
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