[TheForge] How did the cross pein hammer come to be the standard?

[Jerry Frost]

I was hoping somebody had a better answer than I do.

I'll say up front I don't know how the cross pein became "standard" but I
have a "theory."

The same question has come to mind often enough, I use the straight pein a
lot more often than the cross pein. I've brought it up any number of times
and while most people don't even know what I'm talking about a few do.

Of the answers I've gotten these are the most common:

1) Cross pein used to pein lid edges over rims of cans, barrels, etc. like
the old steel mastic buckets and such.

2) Cross pein used to knock flanges loose or together while pipe fitting.

3) Cross peins are used drive banding or similar things onto shafts.

Outside of blacksmiths I haven't run into anybody who uses a straight pein.

My theory is this; A straight pein is no longer an industry standard hammer
because it no longer has a common job, while a cross pein does, even if in a
limited manner is still commonly used.

Of course I could be wrong.

<grin>

Frosty
------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.


----- Original Message -----
From: <xlch58 at swbell.net>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 3:31 PM
Subject: [TheForge] How did the cross pein hammer come to be the standard?


> As I was forging today, I noticed how often I reach for a straight pein
> hammer, but rarely use the pein on my cross pein.   Watching other
> smiths it seems they also reach for a straight pein or 45 degree pein
> most often.    So I was wondering how the cross pein came to be the
> standard and how it became associated so closely with the smith?  Anyone
> know?
>
> Charles
>
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