Forging A Rounding Hammer For Blacksmithing And Bladesmithing

[@user-pk2fg8im4u]

I'm impressed with the job you did, and I appreciate the fact that you critique your results so openly. If everything we did had to come out perfect the first time, we wouldn't have the words "learn, or learning" in our vocabulary. Generally speaking, people who are really putting in the effort to perfect a skill, tend to be their own most severe critics. I'd be proud to be able to do what you just did! (And I love the flags). Blessings.

[@4a8d698f]

Please do not think this is a complaint. I loved this video. Personally I would rather have the music at 30% volume and the work at 70%. There is something about the sounds of work being done that is therapeutic for the soul. Keep up the great work! I look forward to more videos!

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for watching! I'll keep that in mind

[@bulldogg4]

my wife and I both enjoyed this video, also you have a great choice of music for the video very well done.

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks I appreciate it!

[@Aleeknives]

Very enjoyable process and I loved the music on this. Nice edit bro! And a nice Hammer to boot

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks man!

[@nateand3]

Awesome video, music and all. And what a hammer. I've only forged one knife worth actually making a knife of and i used a 4 lb hammer. That being said, I work mechanical maintenance at an electrical power plant. Between the heat, moisture, coal, ash,,,,and any number of other conditions, a hammer is a must on a daily basis and a 4 lb is my go to. Sometimes a ball peen is fine and sometimes ya need a 16 lb mall, but a 4 lb is a must. So i can definitely appreciate a 5 lb hammer for moving steel. And maybe I'm just weird, but I think there's a beauty to this hammer you made

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks man, I appreciate it. Sounds like you use a hammer a lot too!

[@nateand3]

A lot more than I want to...in those conditions and positions. It's nice to stand up straight and use one without all kinda crap impeding your swing

[@nicholaseedy3244]

It's Hammer Time!!!! Yes I have been waiting.

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for watching!

[@Charlestonkayakandfishing]

It came out awesome

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks!

[@wolfparty4234]

Now after finishing the video. I don’t want you to change a thing!! I love the way the rounding “cheeks” are bigger ! Maybe change the “fuller” dyes to a 5/8 or 3/4 fuller. Brian Brazil makes those two fillers as he’s drifting the hammer eye. But I must say that I do absolutely love your and if you could hit me back so we can talk, I’d be you bestest YT fan in the world!!🤣. Thanks maaan!!!

[@brianfalls5894]

Nice job on the hammer bro even if the handle isn't spot on. It still looks great. And as for the flags? As a retired military man, I say keep em for as long as you possibly can! If KZbin doesn't like it then they are anti American.

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks!

[@rodneylangstroth4577]

At my age of 64, I find that I can still swing a 3 1/5- 4# hammer pretty well. I have not tried a 5# one yet. I much prefer a rounder. It my go to, all purpose user. Think I'll make a 5# rounder. It makes perfect sense. Let the hammer do the work. Thanks for the great video

[@FireCreekForge]

You bet, thanks for watching!

[@wolfparty4234]

I think im in love with that hammer!!!! Can you make me one @4-4.5 lbs?🙏🏻 Love the tunes too!!! But you can have them so you can continue playing em!🤣

[@HouseMadeUS]

Just found your channel. I am really enjoying the work you do. Nicely done. Cheers from Florida.

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks, I appreciate it, glad you're here

[@greenchiliforge1059]

You fly your flags all you want, we got your back 🇺🇸

[@FireCreekForge]

Cool man, thanks.

[@shanek6582]

Beautiful

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks!

[@BOB-wo2nb]

Great vid as always, but the good ole' sound of work is always best. Please no music.

[@bonedrybonsai4109]

Love your videos, always fascinated and inspired. Having a couple videos myself I totally appreciate the editing...Thank you!

[@timthespiderman8586]

I need one of those

[@TheRedhawke]

Great video and project, I really enjoyed it and would be proud to own a hammer like that any day. I think it's just an optics thing, it looks like the rounding end is upset more than the flatter end and you set the eye when you first started with a clean cylinder of steel causing it to be slightly offset or canted to one side due to the amount of upset on that side. But then again my eyes are old .

[@jonesn3863]

Nice hammer hope you enjoy it

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks!

[@thunderbugcreative7778]

Love your content thanks! Curious why you aren't punching the billet with the press? Always cool to see other smiths styles.

[@FireCreekForge]

Just wanted to make one by hand, understand the process

[@coffeehouseforge5632]

Keep up the good work and keep flying them flags as well 🇺🇸 I have a 3.5lb coming soon, looking forward to graduating from my 2.5lb...

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks! That's great!

[@cals1775]

Great video! I couldn’t agree more about hammer weight. Why exert more energy when you could let the mass of a heavier hammer do the work. I recently made my first hammer and had the same thing happen to me on the eye except unfortunately mine was more crooked. Keep up the great work!

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks!

[@col925]

Nice looking hammer you will gets lots of use out of it. Why did you punch the eye by hand when you have a press ?

[@FireCreekForge]

I wanted to do one by hand, that's why I made the hammer eye punch, if I build more I'll probably make the tooling for the press

[@joeypetrosky9821]

I want one

[@billwoehl3051]

My opinion why the handle is off:. Noticed that you marked the center from side to side, but not front to back, possibly the center punches were off a bit?

[@FireCreekForge]

that's not unlikely

[@outbackladas]

Nice hammer and nice music, however next time you decide to make another hammer stop and either buy or build yourself a good sized power hammer instead. You’ll achieve more quicker and save your joints as well. Every blacksmith eventually has joint and wrist problems, a good power hammer will put this problem back at least some years. Regards from down under.

[@FireCreekForge]

Thank you, yes I certainly would like to get a power hammer some day

[@nicholaseedy3244]

How much of a concern is cracking when quenching a piece that size? Ridiculously good video this week.

[@dungeonmetalworks4281]

It depends on the steel. Im no expert but have my fifth hammer in the making and if you use waterquenching steel like 1045 its no big deal. I once used 4140 which is normally oil hardening but the mass of a hammer forces you to quench in water to cool it fast enough to harden. Dont know how engineered quenching oil affects thogh. Either way, none of my pieces have ever been cracking during quench so far.

[@FireCreekForge]

with a clean forging (no stress risers, etc.) and normalized steel prior to hardening, risk of cracking should be very minimal in this steel and with these cross sections.

[@erikcourtney1834]

Water quenching 4140 is fine. 75% of my tooling is 4140 and all water quenched. Even my hot cut hardie, which has a thin edge.

[@dungeonmetalworks4281]

@@erikcourtney1834 Thanks for the testimonial! I was super worried the first time, i normalized 4 times and also tested it beforehand with some of my stock just to be safe and dont destroy all my work.

[@nicholaseedy3244]

Thanks for the awesome answers. I was curious after seeing another smith end up with cracks in his power hammer dies from heat treatment on another channel.

[@natedawg9404]

Just curious. What was the soak time on a 5.5lb chunck O'steel? Awesome whacking stick you built there.

[@FireCreekForge]

Well, not very long in this case...

[@joshyingling]

About 14 seconds in to you beating that drift, I would have got my drill out.....

[@FireCreekForge]

But that wouldn't be forging...

[@joshyingling]

@@FireCreekForge you used a dremel and carbide burr..... I mean I guess that would count as finishing equipment. Very Nice hammer though, I have some off cuts from some stress proof steel alloyi intend to make a hammer from. But I want to finish my ribbon burner and build a press first. Still building my tooling. Thanks for the content though brother

[@FireCreekForge]

@@joshyingling that's true! For some reason I couldn't get the plug to pop out, so I did end up without a completely forged eye.. hopefully next time..!

[@joshyingling]

@@FireCreekForge I could imagine it was a hard fought battle but you over came and it sure is a fine hammer.i also agree that a heavier hammer makes work easier

[@andrewneilson227]

What is the flat block with all the holes in it called?

[@FireCreekForge]

Swage block

[@Redstagwsmnp]

I could use one.

[@lovejcdc]

Great video and what a great job on the hammer. I think it turned out good. I prefer a beefier hammer as well. God bless you and your family and God bless MERICA

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks!!

[@hughlink7341]

What would one just like that cost

[@FireCreekForge]

I don't know, I haven't seen a hammer this weight for sale..

[@erikcourtney1834]

Depending on the maker $250+.

[@tripodcasters]

Those are all official state, national, or historical flags of the United States. I don’t see why anybody would take issue with those. Granted, the Gadsden flag has been coopted in recent years, but that doesn’t nullify its historical significance.

[@FireCreekForge]

Yes, you are correct.

[@jamesball7322]

So did the press break right around the time you wanted to drift or what 🤷🏽‍♂️,makes little sense to me if we have the tools than why go by hand Not trying to offend but damn

[@FireCreekForge]

Nope, I wanted to make one by hand and use the punch I made. If I make more I'll tool up the press.

[@Edgunsuk]

Why are you even hammering eyes when you have a press ??? put 2" of a punch on a flat bar and press it through , faster safer and more accurate .PS second time i have seen you quench a hammer type tool without softening the cheeks of the hole , this is where they will snap .