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I drew duckmilk as a recipient for this swap, and knowing he has a forge and anvil I wanted to make a forging hammer. After seeing his collection (with some crafty help from fellow swappers and friends) I decided on a dogshead hammer, aka cutlers hammer or sawyers hammer. It's a weight forward design best suited to thin precise work such as knife bevels or saw blades.
It started as a 1-1/4×2" stick of 4140 steel bar. I milled the eye (which was an experience of its own as I work hardened it multiple times until I got the right speed & feed sorted out- I'm still learning the machinist ropes!)


Next I decided to taper the bottom which made it resemble an axe head.
Here it is getting the sides cleaned up before sanding the whole thing to 120grit



2.69lbs- it's got a good feel to it!

I decided to use some pecan from my yard that has been drying in the shop for a couple years to make a handle.
I hope duck gets some great use out of it!

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Comments

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Well, awesome hammer! The taper is a nice feature and adds grace to the project. And your project make me want to explore the metal side. Though the heat treating it out for me
 

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Thanks guys! This one is not heat treated, it's pretty tough steel as-is and since it'll be used for thin work I feel like it'd be very easy to hit the anvil face so I wanted the hammer to be softer than the anvil. I told duck if he decides it's too soft I'll gladly harden it though! If anyone else needs heat treat done I've got an oven now!
 

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You metal working guys put the rest of us to shame. Just looking at the picture, I could tell it had to be a hammer used around a forge. No frills, all business, or as Kenny would say - that's a sexy beast.

I also need to find some pecan. Seems like everyone was using it this swap.
 

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Very nice buddy, and very original. Duck should get a lot of use from it.
 

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You do good work. Really good work.
 

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Awesome job Grant!!! I would use that sucker at the anvil any day!
 

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I think it is awesome Grant! I don't foresee it needing to be any harder than it already is. I would rather re-dress any dings in the hammer than damage something I didn't intend to. The folks at work who got to see it were really impressed. And, I was proud to show it off :)
 

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That's a well made hammer. The home grown Hickory was the icing on the tool.
The handle looks properly indexed.
How's the balance?
 

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Superb build,
Very very nice that, and the home grown Pecan handle a real treat.
Nice one
 

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Superb build,
Very very nice that, and the home grown Pecan handle a real treat.
Nice one

- anthm27
Oops meant the Pecan-Hickory.
Anthm27 are you in any danger living in Hong Kong?
 

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Great job Grant! I'm sure it will serve Duck very well!
 

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I'm getting the idea there are as many metal workers here as woodworkers. A lot of companies would be proud to have as many solid products in their line as you guys are putting out.

Congrats.

That thing with a bit of grinding is a hatchet with azz.
 

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Nice job Grant. Different kind of mallet for a different kind of Duck, um, I mean guy ;) I know he'll put it to good use.
 
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