[TheForge] blacksmith question holding hammers

[Marc Godbout]

Speaking of gloves, there are gloves on the market designed to be used
with hand hammers. They supposedly improve the grip, allowing a more
relaxed grip and less fatigue. I don't know any more about these than
their marketing blurb.

Personally I use a grip, taught to me by a farrier of 20+ years, that
holds the hammer mostly by the first two fingers, with the thumb
wrapped. The grip is loosened a bit as the hammer strikes the work, with
my pinky and ring fingers tightening some. Sort of a whipping action at
the end of the stroke.

Another thing the farrier suggested was chewing gum. He felt the chewing
somehow relaxed the whole body. It sounds weird, but it works for me,
too.

-Marc

On Fri, 2003-07-18 at 23:16, gladish wrote:
> No, thanks. Might work for you, but it would wear on my hand.
> I wonder if some of these guys who have trouble hanging on are using gloves?

-- 
Marc Godbout
http://www.ironringforge.com

New England Blacksmiths Membership Director
http://www.newenglandblacksmiths.org