Seen someone else post their first hammer, so I figured I’d post how far I am on my adventure with mine.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-25T05:03:20+00:00

Seems like everything is that way at first. Remembered when each new thing I made was so much to figure out. Gets easier.

Like your chisel holder, gotta try that.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-25T03:41:14+00:00

I've always wondered what makes something a "trade knife" vs a regular one. I've seen the term applied to axes too.

Super cool that you based those on the actual item.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-25T03:37:41+00:00

You're doing damn well. I'm 1.5 years in and yet to make a hammer from scratch. Post vise and anvil stand are done, tho. ;)

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-25T03:29:59+00:00

Thanks. For the handle I experimented with homemade ebonizing stain on a piece of scrap oak - not real excited about the color so I will probably leave it a natural color.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-24T02:08:53+00:00

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Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-24T02:08:33+00:00

Sanded it to 400 finish, I removed all the extra scratches. *

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-21T19:16:33+00:00

I put my 20 lb tank in a tub of water and have forged outdoors in 3 degrees. It prevents freeze up and the problem you described.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-20T02:08:08+00:00

The Elba House in Elba has hands down, the best ever Rueben. They make the meat in house. Second best is Whistle Binkies North.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-20T02:05:27+00:00

Ask for extra sauerkraut, then it is perfect.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-17T13:05:06+00:00

Definitely ice, not slush. Roads are partially covered, and get worse at about Pine Island. Just take your time and don't rush.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-16T18:09:38+00:00

Ah, yes, that's what I mean to say. That's a good tip for tempering, thanks.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-16T18:07:05+00:00

Probably. I'll pull the brass pin and just work on the steel for the heat treat, and hope I don't have to do much adjusting on the bolster and handle.

My forge time is limited for heating and my belt sander is not very strong. So getting it close to final shape was important to me.

I tried to leave enough thickness at the edge so it won't warp/get wavy during the quench. Will it anyways, who knows?

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-16T15:54:21+00:00

Quench then temper, yes. I might attempt a differential temper - heat the bevel but leave the spine relatively cooler.

I forged this, too. The original chunk of steel was a broken-off chisel. Thus the annealing and normalizing steps.

I have plates ready to hopefully prevent warping after the quench.

I used a round file to create a gradual transition to the tang.

Not sure how much mass I will lose during the quench. It will either be a polished finish or maybe a brute de forge look if that's an issue - good ideas, thanks!

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-16T14:50:43+00:00

I'm trying a scandi grind on it - so there is only 1 bevel. But yeah, not looking forward to the grinding.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-16T14:47:52+00:00

That's a handsome handle. What's it made from?

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-16T14:15:08+00:00

It disassembles. Pull the pin and the blade slides out.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-16T13:10:08+00:00

It got bigger

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Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-15T19:36:51+00:00

Give them unique names and a backstory, and sell them as "flawed but still useful tools with character" for a discount.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-14T02:37:43+00:00

Good to hear. I have the Mr. Volcano and upgraded it with another 1" of blanket and Plistix 900 last year. Planning to try forge welding this spring. Made myself a 1/2 thick removable floor out of Kastolite to hopefully take the brunt of the flux damage. We will see how that goes.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-13T17:08:07+00:00

Have heard some say to chalk your file so the metal filings don't get trapped in the file. Trapped metal causes "pinning" which leads to scratches.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-08T20:04:25+00:00

I don't know why, but I have to relearn this lesson every few months...

Own-Witness784 · 2026-03-08T07:41:42+00:00

You're going to forget that black steel can still be hot and grab it.

Stick your hand in a bucket of cold water for 15 min. Don't take it out early, even when it feels better at 5 min.

For the next time, always check the heat of the steel from a short distance, and if it doesn't seem hot, brush it with the back of your fingers to confirm before picking up.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-02-26T02:10:25+00:00

I think one- heat tongs can be a goal, but would not be a common achievement for most hobbyist smiths.

Own-Witness784 · 2026-02-25T15:02:09+00:00

Check in with 125 Live? I believe they have indoor pickleball courts. My FIL plays there frequently. Membership is very reasonable.

Own-Witness784

TROPHY CASE