Hammering accuracy and efficiency is key to successful forging. You have to develop a cadence that enables you to apply accurate repeated hammer strokes quickly before the iron loses its welding heat and has to be reheated again. Read on to learn about useful blacksmith hammering techniques.
This not only enables you to work quickly on a piece of metal but proper hammering of the steel also helps refine it and makes the grain sizes smaller. There are several ways to improve your blacksmith hammering techniques. Here are some three simple tips to improve your accuracy and technique.
Practice to Improve Your Hammering Efficiency
One of the best ways to master an accurate hammering rhythm is to practice by hitting a particular spot on an anvil using a wooden hammer or a real hammer. Use a chalk to draw an ‘X’ on an anvil. Using the wooden hammer, repeatedly strike at the center of X until the marking has disappeared. This repetitive task helps you refine your hammer control and accuracy.
Try to hit at the center point as much as possible. Do this repeatedly until you are able to hit it with an accuracy and reasonable rhythm. After you have developed some kind of cadence, you can now transfer this skill to real metal on the anvil.
Improving your blacksmith hammering techniques and efficiency should be a continuous process. You should endeavor to do it even when you are not blacksmithing and making projects. Work on always perfecting your accuracy otherwise you will be condemned to repeating the same mistakes in your future blacksmith’s projects.
Learn to Hold the Hammer Correctly
How you hold the hammer will determine the accuracy of the hammer strikes. One of the hammer holding techniques used by many novices is choking up the handle of a hammer or holding the hammer close to the neck. This blacksmith hammering techniques can enable you to apply more accurate blows but it reduces the strength of each hammer blow and is not the right way of holding a hammer.
The hammer handle should be held between your thumb and the forefinger. Have a loose grip and let the hammer pivot to the thumb and forefinger as it rebounds.
When hammering, allow the hammer to rebound. Don’t hammer as if you are attempting to force the hammer face into the metal. You are only trying to shape it. Using a thumb-and-forefinger pivot, you can squeeze the hammer handle using your other fingers so as to create a snap in the hammer just before it hits the metal.
Assume Correct Hammering Position
To avoid injuries, it’s important to master the ergonomics of the hammer-swing. Good ergonomics also enable you to do away with bad habits early on as you will have to correct bad blacksmith hammering techniques later on to improve your hammering technique.
The anvil should be at the knuckle height and avoid slouching when you are forging. This position will help you to maximize each hammer swing while also enabling you to use all parts of the arm and shoulder. This position also helps prevent backpain.
When hammering, ensure that you use the whole arm and the shoulder and not just the forearm in lifting the hammer. This technique helps protect you from tendonitis in the elbow.
Finally, good blacksmith hammering techniques involves a keen attention. Put all your attention into the work that you are hammering rather than on the hammer. Treat the hammer as extension of your limb.