Flexible sledgehammer - GIF and videos

**Jon** · Jun 12, 2018, 10:42 AM

Flexible sledgehammer. I'm not sure what to think of this.

More. 13-second video:

It still doesn't beat the awesome team sledgehammer internet classic, now appropriately retitled "Hammertime". 42-second video:

Is there a legitimate advantage to a flexible hammer? Does that advantage only apply to a large swing? Is it acting like a wrecking ball? What about just a little flexibility; is that helpful? Could you argue that, in the Hammertime video, the workers' bodies are essentially acting like a flexing handle?

**Frank S** · Jun 12, 2018, 12:27 PM

You often see workers swing in rotation when driving tent stakes in the ground for a carnival.
But those rubber handles don't look like the user has much control, while they all seemed to be able to hit their marks driving the cars in the wall the hammer strikes looked like orientation was closer to being the sides of their hammers

**sossol** · Jun 12, 2018, 05:28 PM

Rotation hammering was common in smithing. Blacksmith Alec Steele has videos of the classes that he conducts. One of the purposes is to teach students timing and rhythm. An experienced group can get into such a groove that the hits are consistently timed.
At 2:30 there's an overhead shot of a great 4-man rhythm.

**Frank S** · Jun 12, 2018, 07:05 PM

Most of those guys might as well cut off half of their hammer handles since they don't seem to know how to use the effective kinetic energy of swinging a full length hammer.

**sossol** · Jun 12, 2018, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by Frank S

Most of those guys might as well cut off half of their hammer handles since they don't seem to know how to use the effective kinetic energy of swinging a full length hammer.

I believe that they're choked up on the hammers intentionally. I've seen old films of blacksmith gangs using the same posture. Strike consistency and aim are more important than striking power. They are strong enough to impart enough energy on the hammer to to upset the flatter that they're making in the small increments it needs. Mashing it more quickly can cause a tear or split in the steel.
The tent guys are beating on the spike like it owes them money because need to force the thing where it doesn't want to go, while the blacksmiths are merely trying to coax the ingot into a shape that it never knew it wanted to be in.

Neil

**Captn Roy** · Jun 13, 2018, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by sossol

I believe that they're choked up on the hammers intentionally. I've seen old films of blacksmith gangs using the same posture. Strike consistency and aim are more important than striking power. They are strong enough to impart enough energy on the hammer to to upset the flatter that they're making in the small increments it needs. Mashing it more quickly can cause a tear or split in the steel.
The tent guys are beating on the spike like it owes them money because need to force the thing where it doesn't want to go, while the blacksmiths are merely trying to coax the ingot into a shape that it never knew it wanted to be in.

Neil

Hi Neil,

There's a certain eloquence to hearing a person reply with reflection, kind words, and a certain amount of knowledge. This amazing and wonderful site gives us all the opportunity to be good neighbours, friends, fellow tool-a-holics. Every day we see new posts that those same folks post to this amazing site. They share stuff that they are proud of, ideas they had and worked hard at to complete. Then they wanted to share that with US. Sharing their talents with their neighbors, with all of us here on this super duper, mega grouper site. Hehee

when folks like neil and 12bolts-Phil give comments that are kind and constructive, I for one am pleased to see that there are folks out there still, that are willing to give of themselves in a kind and neighbourly way. The comments folks give are as important as the post and could help to improve an idea, make a project safer, maybe even promote or seed other ideas. The positive feedback, kindness will encourage folks to contribute more things that they are proud of and want to share. So, there would be the importance to having great neighbours such as Neil and Phil sharing their thoughts with us, to promote and nourish that good neighbour kindness that a fantastic site such as this deserves.

Thanks again fellas for your positive feedback, makes me proud to be a fellow member on this site.

Ray R.

**PJs** · Jun 13, 2018, 04:28 PM

Thank You Captn Roy, (Ray) Well said and heartily agree. Still, I sometimes get my knickers twisted at times, but will think more before I speak, based on what you said!

As for rubber handles sledges; It's seems to me that any new tool takes some getting used to and would guess the delivered blow force would be multiplied at some level once accuracy was achieved. What worried me watching the wind up swing, reminded me the first time I used nun-chucks, about knocked myself silly for about a week with knots and bruises. A 15-20lb sledge would definitely leave a mark if not knock you into next week...but I guess you'd learn quick.

PJ

**Captn Roy** · Jun 13, 2018, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by PJs

Thank You Captn Roy, (Ray) Well said and heartily agree. Still, I sometimes get my knickers twisted at times, but will think more before I speak, based on what you said!

As for rubber handles sledges; It's seems to me that any new tool takes some getting used to and would guess the delivered blow force would be multiplied at some level once accuracy was achieved. What worried me watching the wind up swing, reminded me the first time I used nun-chucks, about knocked myself silly for about a week with knots and bruises. A 15-20lb sledge would definitely leave a mark if not knock you into next week...but I guess you'd learn quick.

PJ

Hey PJ,

Ahh, an honest answer from an honest man! I'll bet PJ that a great percentage of the folks on this site would be understanding and have no problem with someone that has a fire in his belly an coals on his tongue. I for one think that this ol' world needs a little shaking up at times. Your amazing quote by Mark Twain at the bottom of your turf says volumes. We strive to attain only to at times realize we must disagree or shake things up as they say. I'm sure you understand what I meant. Someone who is 90% kind and neighbourly has earned the right to step-up and be a man, so to speak.

Some things are just unbearable to see or endure and tend to wake the beast within. I fully understand cause I also have a bit of a temper that sneaks out at times and don't regret it for one second after. hehee, Your an honest man PJ and that's all that matters.

Ray.

**Frank S** · Jun 12, 2018, 10:07 PM

Its not so much the power but rather the conservation of energy especially when smithing if you learn to control a hammer by having you hands all the way out at the pommel you soon learn that you can do more with less and do it for longer periods of time without increasing the wear and tear on your body. learning that you have 2 hands and either can be the lead hand also helps.

**12bolts** · Jun 13, 2018, 02:57 AM

Sorry Frank but I beg to differ. Watch any good blacksmith and you will see them choking up on the hammer, especially when they are swinging a good size hammer 1 handed. And it is standard practice for a blacksmith when swinging a big hammer 2 handed. Its all about precision. They rely on the hammer mass to deliver the blow; and a choked, and fixed 2 handed grip to make the hammer land where they want that blow to be.

Phil