Forging Mastery: Unveiling the Art of Crafting a Hammer - Part 1 with Brian Brazeal

Embark on an extraordinary blacksmithing journey with the legendary Brian Brazeal as he takes you through the captivating process of crafting a hammer from raw materials in "Brian Brazeal Making a Hammer - Part 1 of 2." In this masterclass of metalworking, witness the fusion of skill, precision, and artistry as Brian meticulously shapes glowing steel into the foundation of a powerful hammer. With every strike of the hammer on the anvil, sparks fly, and the metal begins to take on its unique form, guided by the experienced hands of a true blacksmithing virtuoso.
This immersive experience offers an unprecedented opportunity to learn from one of the most skilled artisans in the craft. Brian shares valuable insights, techniques, and expert tips that will inspire both seasoned blacksmiths and aspiring enthusiasts alike. Part 1 of this captivating series sets the stage for the creation of a functional work of art, imbued with the essence of a true blacksmith's passion.
But the journey doesn't end here! Once you've witnessed the magic unfold in Part 1, don't miss the thrilling continuation in Part 2 (linked below), where Brian unveils the final transformation of the hammer and imparts the finishing touches that make it an exquisite masterpiece.
Whether you're a dedicated metalworking enthusiast or simply fascinated by the art of forging, this two-part series is a must-watch. So, grab your apron and hammer, and join Brian Brazeal on an unforgettable odyssey of forging brilliance.
🔨 Watch Part 2 here: • "Forging Masterpiece: ... 🔨
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM: / brianbrazealblacksmith

[@randomron67]

There's just something about watching a tool come to life! Thanks for the video. Please keep them coming.

[@marcleblanc7021]

This guy is amazing. I started following when i watch the piece of clay episode. Love the videos

[@killer408cid]

Hephaestus himself showing approval with the thunder and lightning.

[@danielfiedler2189]

Mixin up mythology, m8 :)

[@jasoncook6301]

Good ol Mississippi T-storm in the background...a fitting nod from the thunder god!

[@bursucalexlazar]

Been waiting for this one ever since I first saw Alec's a few years back :D thank you very much Brian and all the best

[@SuperGokuSon]

Yea me to but they are never in stock so I went on ahead and purchased a Daniel Mosler,s Blacksmith's Square Circle Rounding Hammer 4 lbs for 180 bux well worth it!

[@DireWolfForge]

Been a fan of yours since you first started putting videos up, Brian. If you’re ever in eastern PA, would love to have you stop by the shop. Thanks for all of the time and effort.

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

You're very welcome.

[@georgeallalunis292]

Thanks for the awesome video. Your work has been a huge source of inspiraton to me and to many others. Thanks again.

[@bentoombs]

Pure awsomeness!!! Thank you sir

[@apbrazan]

thanks for putting this online! my wife and i took a class with you at johns earlier this year. our footage sucked. had such a great time, thanks again! happy thanksgiving!

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

Alex Brazan you're welcome.

[@mikegunnellsministriesinc5384]

Was Referred here by Jacob Edens on Bladesmithing For Beginners I looked through some of your videos and liked what I saw so I Subscribed

[@boediethebuilder918]

Great video can't wait for part 2👍

[@boediethebuilder918]

Oh that was quick lol

[@jague2u]

This is perfect! Thank you!

[@price403]

Hi Brian,Thank you very much for posting the new videos! I really appreciate you taking the time to make them. Do you have plans to shoot any videos on making top fullers? I'm having a little trouble figuring out the steps on my own. Thanks again for all you've done and continue to do.Paul

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

price403 Hey Paul, we're going to be filming everything here in Kenya, tools, joinery, and techniques.

[@MetalSmithForge]

Thank you for these videos Brian! Any chance you can talk about or show us the hardening process you go thru with these?

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

Shane Smith it should be coming soon.

[@MetalSmithForge]

Brian Brazeal Thank you!!

[@adampablodayc]

Real nice.Thank you.

[@mitchelperkins6723]

Brian, when you do the troughs what diameter Fuller's are you using? Thanks for more great videos. Your instruction has helped me refine my processes.

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

Mitchel Perkins the fuller was made in a swage that was made with a fuller that was an inch and a half diameter. The fullers are only about 5/8" wide though.

[@mitchelperkins6723]

Brian Brazeal ok thanks again. I've been busy completing top and bottom tools. , Just a few more yet to be complete up to 3" .

[@SlappFunk]

Thanks so much for sharing this. I am very excited to make the tools needed to forge a square/circle hammer. From what I see, the tools needed are a flatter, a cupping tool, a top and bottom fuller, hammer holding tongs, a hammer eye punch and a hammer eye drift. That should keep me busy for a while!! Is there any tools I may have missed?

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

VanIsle Cane Rods don't forget the "hump tools". Those are the two tools that support the hammer at the troughs while you drive the drift after you have forged the drift. I have to laugh every time I hear or see someone refer to a hammer like this made from square stock as a "square circle hammer". Many hammers like this have been made from square stock long before that phrase was coined. There's no such thing as a square circle. :)

[@SlappFunk]

Brian Brazeal . Thank you. From this moment forward I will refer to it as only a hammer. I will make sure not to forget the hump tools.

[@stronglikemonkey]

Brian Brazeal - I think people are referencing Alec when they say square circle hammer. That's what he calls his version of your design. It seems strange to me as well. The first time I heard him use that phrase, it was kind of weird.

[@duesing6]

Correct me if im wrong on this but Alec is making hammers that are a circle on the rounding end and mostly square with corners cut off on the flat end hence the square circle hammer.

[@shaunm2208]

Brain do you dip the drift in oil ? Great videos... I need another pair of hands myself not easy on your own

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

Shaun Miller no I don't when I am making just a few things. I have used several drifts and cooled them in oil when I've done 20 or more at the same.

[@thedillestpickle]

I've been wondering what is the reason for thinning out the stock between the cheeks and the striking faces? Is it cosmetic or is it to draw out the material to being the striking faces further from the handle?

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

Neither. It isolates the different areas like the cheeks so you can easily draw them out. It also isolates the faces for when you may want to make a ball, straight, or cross peen.

[@stronglikemonkey]

Brian Brazeal - Happy Thanksgiving Brian! Be sure to please wish Ed and the rest of your family a Happy Thanksgiving as well. Two more things to be grateful for! Two awesome videos from you. Was that Ed striking?

[@stronglikemonkey]

Brian Brazeal - Its very obvious that you have worked with him before. Seamlessly awesome! Please tell the person that is helping post the videos Thank you! It is greatly appreciated!

[@kensmapleleafretirement]

Thank you for the video....

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

You're welcome.

[@michaelfoster5559]

Awesome video Brian I really enjoy seeing your work...do you still offer tool making classes these days?

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

Michael Foster not the individual ones, but I will work with groups. I'm leaving for Kenya on Monday. My brother and I are going there to set up a blacksmithing program. It not just the tools to make tools anymore like I did with individuals. We're making everything : forges, anvils, tools and showing what to do with it all, so we can leave them with everything to teach others.

[@michaelfoster5559]

Brian Brazeal that is amazing good luck and safe travels sir

[@Domgaudet]

What is the radius of the round face? 12”?

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

It is more of a squashed ball instead of radius.

[@markling712]

early christmas present!

[@wolfparty4234]

Hello, how do you make the rounding fuller for the round part of the hammer?

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

I believe you are talking about the ball swage or cupping tool as I've called it. Am I correct?

[@wolfparty4234]

Brian Brazeal yes. I’m sorry, you are correct. Have you or can you make a video on how you make it? Btw. I am working on saving money to make a trip out to Oklahoma to see you and take a 3day course from you. Do you know when your leaving the country like you mention to me before.?

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

@@wolfparty4234 I'd be glad to do a video on it, but that requires a third person besides my brother and I. I've shown many people and groups of people that tool, yet no one has ever taken the whole process. It takes 15 to 30 minutes to forge the tool with explaining it as you go. If you are wanting a class here before I get busy, the sooner the better. I've already got a few that want to come in the fall, and I have not been letting people know I am available yet.

[@wolfparty4234]

Brian Brazeal ok great!! Funny thing, I looked way back into Alec Steel’s videos today and saw you and him making one when he was very young!!! Hahaha! It’s amazing that some of the blacksmiths I have been following reference you and how you blacksmith. Some will and have said that it’s the best way to do things, the Brian Brazeal way!! Have a great day and I will email you very soon!!!

[@TheUnistat76]

So appropriate to be forging a hammer during a thunderstorm.

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

Nathan Gambino that was actually just wind blowing tree limbs against the tin on the shop.

[@charliesabre4328]

How the hell are you this accurate punching round stock

[@curtisporter2010]

Woohoo new videos

[@wyoblacksmithtools3097]

Thanks Brian! How long would it take you forge a 3 1/2 lb. rounding hammer by yourself, and how would you go about holding the steel while you forge? Jerry

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

Fossils etc. It takes about 40 minutes to forge a hammer like this with a striker.

[@esnyd]

Are you rotating the drift strike angle to keep from getting a flat spot on the hammer sides? Great video, thanks!

[@ThatOneBlacksmithGuy]

if you wanted to rotate the drift, you could, but most smiths probably dont because your drifts should be made of high carbon steel to prevent that sort of thing.

[@esnyd]

No, I meant he is rotating the angle at which he places the piece on the anvil. It's very subtle but he is moving it side to side between each strike, it has to be intentional.

[@BrianBrazealBlacksmith]

Eric Snyder yes I am intentionally moving the drift side to side to support the drift while driving it before I have any cheeks. When making smaller tools the need for this is more noticeable because they can actually try and sink into the hole, but it also helps preserve heat by moving the billet instead of bearing down in one spot. You do not want to do that once you have cheeks started because that would damage the cheeks.

[@noahd8673]

You should add some audio overlay or so.ething to your videos, alot more people would watch them