Hammer handle replaced

[Philip Davies]

Silly of me to break it, pulling an annular nail, I do know better, but admittedly, give way to impulses. Fortunately had a spare hickory hatchet handle, very little work needed. 4 short cuts on bandsaw, some shaving, rasping and sanding. Used the old wedges and find it slightly better than the old. I shall keep that for another hammer! I prefer a deers foot handle, because I can grip it lightly.

[desbromilow]

'scuse ignorance, but why is pulling nails with annular rings an issue? (they're called ring shanks around here)... yes they grip well, but I thought clam hammers were made to take that. what should be used if not a claw hammer?

Des

[tlnixon]

Doggone! I've been looking for a hatchet handle and no one around here has any. It's for a hatchet with a hammer head on the opposite end. Hammerh andles are easy to find, but not hatchet handles.

[Toolmaker51]

Think he means the iron did ok; not wood handle. Ring shanks are a bear in decent wood.

[Frank S]

I like Philip's idea of using the deer foot hatchet handle on his claw hammer.
If you have ever used one they are comfortable to grip and seem to balance better

[Philip Davies]

I knew, before I broke it, that the nail would resist and that the handle would be strained, but stupidly went ahead anyway! The old handle is ash, which I don’t think is as strong as hickory. Generally, as good practice, one should assess the limitations of one’s tools (it’s a perpetual source of frustration to find one’s own limitations!) so I know it should be used only for light or short wire nails. I had a pry bar only 3 yards behind me. Still, I didn’t knock out my teeth.

[Toolmaker51]

One thing is sure; hickory outranks ash. While densities of seasoned/ dry wood overlap: these are per cubic foot;

Ash, white 650 - 850
Ash, black 540
Ash, European 710
Hickory 600 - 930

That form of handle encourages a proper grip; not only firm but can loosen on the backswing without flying out of hand. Its irritating to see someone pretend to bash away, their hammer grip choking the head. I ask them 'Why do you think that handle so long?'.

No one recalls ash extolled as a tool handle, best seems to be "flame hardened hickory". Looks rather oak-like, on steroids.
It's reputation is broader too, such as nicknames. One is our own Andrew Jackson, aka Ol' Hickory, strict and bold military officer, 7th President.

Another in the group we should go back and clone...

[Philip Davies]

Thank you again!

[DIYer]

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

Replacement Hammer Handle by Philip Davies

tags: hammer, handle, repair