Blacksmithing is a profession that is as old as the Roman empire and it is astonishing to see it still gain popularity at such pace. Many individuals have picked up on the skill and formed it into their hobby allowing them to form products to their personal likings. They use several essential tools, including straight peen hammer.
Many individuals take time out after their work to experiment in their small workshops at their own pace. This hobby has even become a part-time job for some people as they have begun crafting tools, jewelry, and other furnishings to sell them.
Overview
There are many tools available on the market that are associated with blacksmithing but the most essential tools you would need to start this operation would be a furnace, an anvil, and a hammer. A hammer is the most important tool in a workshop as it is the tool that will convert brute force to shape the hot metal and forge it into a finished workpiece. Using an old hammer that is already in your tool kit can be tedious and may cause elbow pain as well. To avoid all of these complications you need a hammer that’s crafted for the purpose of blacksmithing.
Many hammers are produced for the purpose of blacksmithing, each of them having their distinct design. Each design is unique; however, its purpose remains the same. It is a matter of preference for the blacksmith and the kind of hammer he equips himself with. It also comes down to your position in front of the anvil. How you stand when smacking a piece of metal relates to how comfortable you are holding a hammer.
A basic hammer to start with is a straight peen hammer. A “peen” is that part of the hammer which is opposite to the striking face. In a straight peen hammer the peen is vertical to the handle. While in a cross peen hammer the peen is horizontal to the handle. It comes down to how you hold it and how you strike the metal.
Since there are many products under the name of straight peen hammer, you can get confused exploring the market and deciding what to buy. Thankfully, we have got your back and have compiled a master list to explain the nooks and crannies of buying a straight peen hammer for sale.
- Crowned striking faces with beveled edges
- Perfect for general sledging operations
- Hand forged steel
- Made in the use
- Professional grade
Why do we like it?
Such a hand-forged hammer is very rare to find. The product is made from carbon steel which allows it to be lightweight and versatile. It weighs around 3 lbs. and has a height of 16 inches.
It is produced in the USA as are most of BonRiver products. This high-quality product is made for professional use, so you know it will be able to withstand heavy-duty work. This quality is very important since you are going to need it in the workshop.
The hammer has a unique design that is going to please any blacksmith that has an experience of forging and making his own hammers. It also has multiple uses as the company describes it to be also perfect for sledging purposes.
Coming in at a standard price this hammer can be a life-long addition to your tool inventory.
Pros
Versatile hammer.
Professional grade, so it can withstand heavy-duty work.
Vintage design
Cons
Even though it is lightweight, there are other lighter hammers on the market
- Designed with the user in mind
- Made to withstand even the toughest jobs
- Quality assured
- Proven and Tested for durability and function in real world conditions
- Fit to match the needs in the shop, at home or in the field
Why do we like it?
Picard’s decades worth of industry experience is clearly shown through the design of the hammer. It is a famous product amongst blacksmiths across the world as this German company continues to serve up the best quality products there are.
The hammer is so light that it feels like you’re holding a lightweight pair of tongs in your hands. It weighs in at around 1.5 lbs. making it the lightest hammer made that’s available on the market, with a straight peen of course. The lightweight nature enables you to work longer hours without feeling the pain in your elbows.
The long handle is made from ash (wood) and is partly to be praised for the lightweight nature of the hammer. The Ashwood handle also gives it its fresh modern look. The German giants, Picard, have perfected their straight peen hammer enabling you to enjoy the best quality.
This brings us to the price. The price is the most amazing thing about this hammer as it is the cheapest available hammer on the market. The price and quality jointly confirm that this the perfect budget pick for our list.
Pros
Very cheap
Very lightweight, in fact, it may be the lightest hammer on the market
Cons
May not be suitable for very heavy-duty work if not taken care of
The research
What type of hammer should I buy?
What to do if my hammerhead seems loose?
Who should get this?
There’s really not much we can say about the immense uses of a hammer to a blacksmith. However, the hammer is also a very useful tool for other hobbies and household work. Anyone who is looking for a good hammer for their personal work, these hammers work best.
The list goes to great lengths to ensure that the hammers represented will work in perfect sync with any of the work you want to do with it. It can be used for multiple operations such as driving a nail, hammering steel, and breaking stuff!
It is a perfect product for anyone looking to add a rare straight peen hammer into their collection.
Why should you trust us?
The above list is the result of a combination of market research and professional opinion to give the best straight peen in terms of price and quality.
Professional Blacksmiths have also shared their opinions for the listed items that are reflected in the pros and cons list. We have also tried to cater to the many different professionals who would want to use these hammers making this list a very competent and complete record. However, this does not mean that this list is only suitable for professional blacksmiths, as these tools do not change for hobbyists and part-time workers.
Not only are our research methods tried and tested, but the opinions shared are also genuine and bound to help you in making a buying decision. User reviews have also been examined for this list, making it the ultimate resource to guide you in making that decision.
How we picked?
We have chosen to look at three different factors that should be crucial to your decision of purchasing a wire brush. These factors were researched, extensively.
- Cost: Price is the most obvious factor as it is the main element that will either make you buy a hammer. The list has covered various options ranging from budget picks to premium products, the entire price range in the market of straight peen hammers has been represented.
- Weight and handle: the weight is an important factor in deciding whether a hammer is good or just average. If your hammer causes you pain in your elbows that there is no point in lasting a long time since you won’t use it for a long time. We have ensured that we pick the lightest hammers for you to give the utmost comfort along with the utility.
- Durability: When buying a tool that needs such an investment, you’d hope that it is of the utmost quality and will last long. That is exactly why we have chosen durability to be one of the key factors in our criteria for making the list. The products in our list were chosen because of their longevity as a hammer should be a one-time investment.
Care and maintenance tips
Hammers are a very tricky tool to maintain since no one actually thinks they have to do anything to maintain a hammer. However, there are a few things to know when you are dealing with hammers.
Hammers should be stored on wall racks when not in use. Laid out in a flat position is not going to mess with the mechanics of the tool allowing it to be in prime working condition for a long time.
The handle of the hammer needs to be oiled from time to time since when it goes very dry it can splinter. This will damage the handle causing you to replace it more often.
You must also keep the head away from any wet surfaces and oil. The oil may cause it to glide off of surfaces when hitting them and the water might cause corrosion to the head.
Can I forge my hammers?
The simple answer to that maybe yes, however, there are many complications when you decide to forge your own hammer. It requires a lot of practice as there are many tricky parts to it.
The main thing to watch out for is to keep the eye of the hammer straight. That is the most crucial part of the hammer and can be easily slanted.
You also need to see that you have the proper tools to make the hammer. You would of course need a hammer to make a hammer!
Also, if you are not a carpenter then it would be very tricky to find the perfect handle to fit your newly crafted hammerhead.
What type of hammer should I buy?
There are so many types of hammers available on the market, straight peen being one. As discussed earlier, it really is a matter of personal liking. The straight peen hammer is just as good as any other, after all a hammer’s job is to strike the hot metal and that does not change. It is up to you to see what makes you feel more comfortable and which type feels right in your hands.
What to do if my hammerhead seems loose?
A hammerhead should be securely attached to the handle otherwise it can be very dangerous for everyone around the hammering area. Make sure that the steel and hardwood edges are firmly in place, if they are not then drive them in place. It is advisable to never use screws as wedges as they will become loose over time because of the impact of hammering.
Conclusion
Prolonged usage of a heavy hammer is very likely to cause a huge strain on your arms and body. This is the reason why we bring to you a new and updated list of items that are safe for heavy-duty and prolonged work. These quality hammers will last a lifetime and will be a supreme part of your tool collection.
We have constructed this list to help you make the right decisions to kickstart (or aid) your blacksmithing endeavours. The list tries to cover many factors that you should also look for when buying a straight peen hammer.
Further reading
- 9 Best Forges for Blacksmithing [2023 Review]The best forge for blacksmithing is the one that does the job you need it to do. While … Read more
- Best Hammers for Blacksmithing [2023 Review]
- Best Sharpening Stone
- Best Tool Cabinets