Interesting Tool You May Not Know About.

[@lvdoublej9731]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video on this unusual hammer. I found one in an old box of tools my deceased father had sitting in his basement. I had no idea what such a hammer was used for or its history, but now I do. Thanks for that.

[@The1Helleri]

You're welcome! Is the one you found among those things a BASA brand?

[@lvdoublej9731]

@@The1Helleri The hammer casting reads "Danco Hammer No. 4 Danielson Conn." This hammer has 2" diam. rawhide faces.

[@The1Helleri]

​@@lvdoublej9731 Okay so this Danco is not to be confused with the modern Danco (different companies). The modern Danco is based off first name of it's founder (Dan Reynolds). They don't make or sell anything like this (they seem to be largely plumbing related) and don't appear to have ever done so. In this instance (the instance of the marks on your hammer) Danco is an abbreviation for Danielson Manufacturing Co. based in Danielson, Connecticut USA. A township stock holder ran factory that popped up in 1830 and appears to have been defunct for a very long time (when exactly it went out of use and business I don't know). Likely the hammer just says Danco because they couldn't find a way to neatly fit the full name of the company on it. Your hammer is the next size up from mine (and I believe the largest such hammer that anyone produced). Remarkably the hammer sizes (and which correspondingly sized faces go with them) don't seem to have changed across different makes of this type of hammer. Don't rely on the face diameter for the size. They can swell or mushroom over time and use. Some have a step down in size for the area that fits in as well. What matters for proper sizing of faces is the inside diameter of where the face fits into when in a mostly closed position (about 1/8 inch gap between the two closing pieces). That measurement is the size face you want to order if ever intending to order any. There is a link in the description to where you can buy faces. Although you may want to search ebay first if interested in that in hopes of a better deal.

[@pemtax557]

Vaughan makes an almost identical hammer (587 series) that you can configure the way you want (head size, weight and material) and will save you a lot of money over other premium brands like Garland which are a lot more expensive.

[@The1Helleri]

Thanks for the contribution. Having had a look I personally don't care for the hammer itself as it doesn't have that horizontal split. But thast shouldn't be a deficit for most as pure leather working mallet. For me it's just that I've been trying to downsize on the amount of tools I have. Opting for more versatile (multi-function) tools where possible is a big part of accomplishing that goal. With the old style of refractory hammer the horizontal split allows it to be used as an adjustable wrench in a few configurations (one that can't get into small spaces but offers good grip and a lot of leverage on the big stuff). That makes it good for pipe work. Because you can break or cinch caps, seat or tap loose, turn securing bolts etc. Personally I'm on the look out for an old cheap BASA. That brand as shown in some of the images I linked in the description can be used on rather large bolts and nuts. Now even though I probably won't be getting myself a Vaughan split head hammer. The faces for it appear to be inexpensive relative to Garland faces. Which is where the cost really hurts the wallet on a tool that has "options" lol. So I'll be looking at Vaughan for those when the time comes. With this sort of thing it's really about balancing cost vs. need. I expect for most this would be a good value purchase for leather working. So good on you for pointing it out.

[@TarantuLandoCalcuLingus]

We call our split heads "whammies" lol