The past two weeks brought the most dreadful stretch of hot and dry weather I have ever endured. Last night we got a soaking rain and the temperature dropped so maybe that is the end of it. I haven’t done any forging throughout that time and concentrated on some torch projects and repair and cleanup.
In the process of organizing I came across a set hammer I bought years ago in an antique store. At the time I bought it mostly because I hadn’t seen one like it. It occurred to me that, still, I haven’t seen another like it. I’ve only used it a few times. What makes it different is the incorporation of both straight and radius edge lines in the face.
It appears to be factory made with the number 34 stamped on the bottom side. The face seems to be hard and the struck top area softer. It was mushroomed when I got it and I have dressed away the overhang.
Set tools don’t see frequent use in the studio. A long handled 3” flatter and a short handled 2” flatter are the most used. I have made a couple of rocking flatters for use with the power hammers and the hydraulic forging press.
So now the hammer is back on the rack where seldom used hammers go, living out the dilemma of the very special tool. When I need it, it is just the thing. Trouble is, I hardly ever need it.
I don't believe that is a set hammer; a silversmith would probably cringe that you are striking the back of his planishing hammer.
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