Doghead hammer

[Philip Davies]

These style of hammers are becoming increasingly popular. I wonder whether you can guess how I made it? You can see how I have made use of a surplus hatchet handle, the deer foot being a preference of mine. (Those picks are coal hammers, every household had one once)

[mklotz]

OK, I'll bite. What is the advantage of a doghead hammer over a more conventional design?

[Philip Davies]

I do not know!

[Philip Davies]

Except to say, I tried one belonging to Owen Bush(renowned bladesmith) at his forge-in a couple of years ago, and liked it. I hope others might comment further.

[DIYer]

Thanks Philip Davies! We've added your Doghead Hammer to our Hammers category,
as well as to your builder page: Philip Davies's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Doghead Hammer by Philip Davies

tags: hammer

[mklotz]

Well, if you gotta have a doghead, I much prefer this style...



Full disclosure: This image borrowed from:

https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/538...ammer-useless/

[knoba]

Their main use is as a planishing hammer, like the old style cutlers hammers. Bladesmiths use them to forge consistent angled plains into a blade. The added weight means they can move metal without much of a swing and thus keep focus on keeping their angle true.

From: The Hammer Source - 100's of Hammers!

[will52100]

What knoba said. I use several hammers when smithing, but forging the bevels in I use a dog's head hammer. More control and comfort than a double sided hammer when doing fine angle work.

[ranald]

The 1/2 axe handle is a little longer than standard with a different grip allowing, i think , more force/energy but requiring better accuracy. As to the head..........??????????? I used to like a 10lb sledge with a short handle(about 1/2 length) for driving 8" pins in coppers log fencing: better accuracy, less likelyhood of a crushed thumb(that is not a pretty sight). All a personal feeling, I guess, like I prefer a "plumb" over an "estwing" and for others the opposite is true.
Cheers & thanks for posting
Ranald

[owen moore]

I would think that with the long skinny head design, it would impart more energy with less effort due to the greater sectional density. Kind of like a rail road spike hammer.