Restoring an Italian Blacksmith Hammer

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Editing by the talented @isaiaharnoldfilm
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Website www.willstelterbladesmith.com

[@CaptainMagnus]

Wills camera presence has really come into its owns since he went solo. Love it!

[@jakehandlon6115]

Every mention of Alec makes me wish they did colabs more. Glad to see his channel is doing well but selfishly miss the steele stelter days

[@CaptainMagnus]

He said Alec’s been making hammers for 30-40 years 😂 I bet it’s an inside joke.

[@danielstellmon5330]

Alec Steel's channel is not as much fun to watch now that he his not devoting 100% of his life to the channel. I get it, he got married and is running multiple companies now, but I'm spoiled.

[@phillipstrauss6269]

Well said bro

[@jmac6973]

truth

[@ThomasKainer]

Steele vs Stelter. Or big something sword in 42 episodes!

[@rupertmiller9690]

Still Welter is a-#1 blacksmithing fellow. Very good.

[@threeriversforge1997]

To the Pine Tar, aka Stockholm Tar, you can mix it with Turpentine to thin it down. Bickmore, Davey's, and Tenda are brands that are already thin enough to apply like in the video, however, they can also benefit from being thinned with Turpentine so they soak into the pores of the wood easier. Pine Tar and Turpentine come from the same process, so adding Turpentine back to the Pine Tar doesn't hurt anything. It also has a wonderful anti-microbial action that's great for preventing mildew and mold from growing on wood or rope that you coat with it. Every blacksmith shop should have a quart of pine tar at the ready. Great for the skin (pine tar soap) as well as your tool handles.

[@dangolfishin]

I can't believe Harry's makes blades tough enough to shave a beard like Will could grow

[@WillStelterbladesmith]

😂

[@soonerfrac4611]

Harry’s went woke and it went in the trash can.

[@dangolfishin]

@@soonerfrac4611 keep your propaganda key words like "woke" in videos where yall gather

[@Grandwigg]

I imagine it's easier than taking a grinder to his face as he'd need to otherwise!

[@just-dl]

I was going to joke about that...but, I'm a red head, and my beard didn't show up in video very well back in my pre-gray days. I don't know if he's got light colored beard, a light-density beard or if his voice hasn't changed yet! (Sorry, Will...I used to look way younger than my age, too. That changed rather abruptly, and I don't have THAT problem anymore!) 🙂

[@toeknee5464]

its nice that you do decently long videos man, I think a lot of people have a interest in your profession at least as spectators, its being straight up with the viewers I think, that goes a long way as I'm sure you know

[@rothko1234]

I simply have absolutely no idea what he’s talking about but I just love watching him - he’s so passionate, and articulate

[@frankberard372]

Will love to see more content in the new year. Happy holidays. Steel who??????😂😂😂❤❤❤

[@GaryJimenez]

I don't do metal work of any kind but I love watching the process. It motivates me to get out in the garage and do some wood work. Keep up the good work 👍

[@multicoloredwiz]

Really appreciate the info about the wood handles!

[@tsviper]

Thanks for sharing, have known some of the handel "teori" but your explaining was perfect to understand it even more

[@BentonFrisse]

Awesome video, Will! Love the short snippet you show when hanging the hammer and the head is crooked - you point to the high side of the head and show that sanding that side of the handle will bring the head down and fix it. Will be using that one soon!

[@MrNiccholas]

It's fascinating to see the differences in opinions when it comes to handles between blacksmiths and wood workers. Both obviously use wooden handled tools on a day to day basis, but it seems wood workers are a lot more uptight about the fit of the handle to the eye of the tool and the curves and swells of the handle. That being said, they are often working of significantly more delicate projects where even the slightest movement of the tool can negatively impact the project!

[@natebowman7593]

Definitely saving this video in my library. Very informative.

[@blos90]

I am from Italy and i have the same hammer, mine has the pin worn out on one side for all the beating it did. I restored it some years ago and made a handle for it out of douglas wood because i had some very beautiful wood sticks with amazing grain structure and because it wasn't that bad to shape by hand with a rasp. It also smells good. I ended up making many other hammer handles out of it. They have been fine so far.

[@mikeking1951]

Thanks Will...you nailed it!..lol.....Merry Christmas to you guys.

[@ThePlayahans]

Informative and soothing at the same time.. love your tool restoration videos man

[@petegalvs]

What a cool hammer, I never knew there was such a variety of cross peens. The finished hammer and handle look awesome, and like it's going to be really useful. Also, I love your blackboard. Soli Deo Gloria!

[@Droopydawg82]

Very educational video. Will definitely check the grain if I ever buy a new axe or sledge hammer.

[@matthewdancik5515]

I love your sense of humor, brightens my day every time.

[@CorwynGC]

You blacksmiths love your grinders. For handles I love using a froe to get the stock to size. It splits on the grain so minimizing grain run out. Then shape with a draw knife and a spoke shave. Way faster, way less dust.

[@asdqwe4468]

Yeah as nice as those grinders are wood is usually better cut than sanded. Dust is terrible. Not too long ago wood was basically never sanded.

[@youdumbcat]

I'm pretty sure I like the montage clips as much as the next person, but there's something also really special about seeing a craftsperson just going through the motions of sanding and finishing pieces in more of its entirety. Like around 16:05 when you are just focused on the handle and it's no music, of you just focusing, I really like those clips. Please sir, more of that kind of content, it's very good :)

[@wmose3694]

pine tar soap is great for a shop sink as well smells good and cuts grease and grime well

[@josephschussler3723]

I watch your videos specifically because of the way you talk with your hands. You definitely gesture to the empty room when you talk on the phone. Admit it.

[@wiresmith2398]

Pine tar - It's what Jake Faram uses, It's what Alec Steele uses, and just as important it's what Will Stelter uses!

[@BvrlyHillbilly14]

Your instructorship has improved so much. Keep up the great vids!

[@alihaggis78]

You should try making a spoke shave. That would save you tonnes of sawdust when making handles

[@omegaflameZ]

For the description at around the 9 minute mark, the woodworking term that'll make your life easier (if I'm understanding you rightly) at the hardwood dealer is 'quarter sawn'. Though I'm not sure how common an option that is for hickory, my dealer only carries red oak in quarter sawn.

[@elkyle]

This is a fantastic video for anyone who wants to learn about hammers and, especially hammer handles. Really excellent information, Will. Thanks so much for sharing. This is the kind of content people need!

[@robhendrix6794]

Really enjoy all your explanations and practical advice. Thanks for sharing!

[@henrygardiner7740]

Excellent tutorial!! Thank you!!

[@jonathanweiss1301]

Love it! This is one of the videos where I feel your voice as a blacksmith/instructor/guru is very striking...

[@bradmarthafocker4285]

Excellent video, as always. Congrats on the addition to the collection.

[@ajaxaxel7366]

Nice work Will. You always surprise. Btw when will Alec be back? You and him are on fire.🔥👍👍

[@Oldtimeytools]

When that wedge split you could hear all the wedge snobs cry inside a little 😂

[@knifethrower9733]

Great video I'm currently making my first hammer and this video has helped heaps.

[@Grandwigg]

I gotta say, Will handled this hammer restoration rather nicely! I love seeing uploads to this channel. (The series on WPSN was great as well!)

[@marcodellacqua15]

As it comes to "hanging a hammer", maybe it's because a hammer's head was usually fitted to the handle upside down: you put the handle into the head just enoug it grips, then hang the hammer upside down and hammer on the handle's end. This is counterintuitive, but actually makes the head fit up along the handle, because of inertia (the head is heavy and stands still, while the handle is driven down by hammer blows). I believe this method was used because it runs less risk of damaging the handle with hammer blows, and it's actually very effective in setting the head, plus, you don't need any support surface, the head of the hammer being its own support.

[@Smallathe]

Very cool hammer and a wonderful explanation :)

[@congamike1]

I have a lot of problems handling it. This will help. Thanks!

[@johannesTMP]

It's good to see a european style Hammer get some love for once... but.. You need to make yourself a good drawknife.... saves you a lot of eating sawdust when ruffing out a handle.... and they are fun to make...

[@TinS0lder]

Good video. I learned stuff about handles I never new. Thanks .

[@drummerboy3377]

Will, I think you're one of the most well spoken guys our age group. I strive to be more like you!

[@NLSkooch]

Beautiful project.

[@aloberdorf4579]

I really enjoy fiding old tools...and re-hafting them.....hammer,axes and shovels, adz's....one of my prides...square nose shovel w/GNRWY stamped on the tang......

[@BraxxJuventa]

Thanks for this video Will. 👍😊

[@wassupmrdan]

Thanks Brother Will. God bless.

[@Aeidotronics]

Good job. I'm a hex handle fan.

[@JaapGrootveld]

You have just created the one and only sledgehammer (with the right weight). It's going to make life more beautiful for you and the striker.

[@germother2052]

Hey Will live in the same town you do. An am a self taught aspiring Smith. Learned most all I know from Alec and you

[@saginawdan]

Thanks Will! 👍

[@irorules]

Great video! very informative i loved it. Only missing some hot iron striking at the end to show it in action!

[@harleyadam4813]

FYI, when the grain of the wood runs at a 45° angle like that, the technical term is "quartersawn".

[@lachy1709]

Liam hoffman also has a video on his instagram showing that the grain direction doesnt matter too much

[@JohnRoberts71]

Great content thanks for sharing

[@GoldmansGarage]

I have several hammer heads I’m gonna learn how to regardless this spring

[@robertdonnell8114]

Will, I loved this video. Speaking of such hammers, can you raise a helm? The technique is really counter intuitive, the sheet metal is pushed inward by the peening hammer to increase the thickness. The opposite would be to take a sheet of metal and stamp it between two dies and thinning the metal.

[@jefferybilby378]

Nice job!

[@salvatoremilitello8490]

The reason for the shape is cause us Italians put style into everything that shows skill so that feature shows off skill and style 😎 👌 that's how we do I know cause I do that when making things hidden features that look cool

[@weaponjam7226]

Time for some dust extraction in the sanding room big guy? Great vid as usual.

[@Devildog1833]

good to see will hammering down on some content :D :D :D :D

[@ohhpaul7364]

Congratulations on another great video, Will. I have made several handles over the years, without the proper tools it can be quite the challenge and/or time consuming. I did notice, you made the tapers on the steel wedge backwards, you want the arrow >>> to go into the >>>wood. Not dogging you, just a thing for me. Thanks for the videos and Happy Holidays.

[@chrish1585]

I swing a 4lb square face rounding hammer from Whiskey Turtle Forge out in California. Most versatile hammer I own.

[@PeterKNoone]

I love seeing my name scroll by at the end of the videos. Cool video as usual. Gracias.

[@donniemabry1470]

I love to see you make a Rambo 2 knife that is hard to make.

[@jmac6973]

great content bro

[@ryanowens2771]

Will out here flexing and not batting an eye. Just picked up a sledge like it’s a 2bl whacker! Eatn’ his spinach eh?

[@My_Op]

Good buy!

[@draven86]

Nice job on the restoration Will btw als o nice that you mention Alec Steele. If that isn't true friendship, i don't know what is

[@bayareasparky9180]

It's interesting to me that you use all abrasives and no cutting or carving on your handles. I cannot however argue with the results. Well done.

[@justinbanks2380]

Look at those big 'Freedom unit' markings on that tape measure, lol

[@bradclifton5248]

That diagonal grain is perfect for chair legs. Long straight grain where it looks the same on all four sides.

[@thesqueeeps]

Just a thought about calling it hanging a hammer: maybe it’s because it’s common to hold the hammer upside down and strike the bottom end of the hammer to drive the head on. So technically you’re hanging the hammer head to drive it on maybe?

[@zex69]

15:11 thanks Will

[@doubledarefan]

14:53 That is the B-1000!

[@kimholcomb6943]

I'm looking forward to viewing more of your you tube content.

[@magnumpunch]

I have one exaclty like this which I use for keeping my doors open. Im italian

[@MashBill]

I buy all of my handles for axes and hammers at House Handle in Cassville, Missouri.

[@denisedeon3336]

can never have enough hammers

[@BigJohnnyMcJohnson]

King Gizzard!!!!

[@notanimposter]

For two people to use a two-handed hammer together, they have to be drift-compatible

[@clem9796]

Glad to see you again, Will. Too long between vids man.

[@bentonturner1619]

Hey will love the vids I was wondering if you thought the hammer head looked upside down maybe I missed the part where you explained the hammer eye hole tapers but it looks like it’s upside down cheers mate

[@brittinghammerforge9441]

Good job

[@SachsVDE]

Fraxinus Excelsior is the best for hammer handles ,very strong and elastic..with a density of 710kg/m3■..🌟

[@mylarhyrule904]

German cross pean with an octagon handle is my go to…. Draw knife does great for handle shaping

[@adcaptandumvulgus4252]

so cool

[@virtusleather]

Do a coolab with Tim Dyck! I think you guys would have a blast!

[@maximeouellet306]

Mmmm the smell of the pine tart in early morning 🌄🤣🤣🤣🤣.

[@Ltdanlegs]

French hammers originally called french locksmiths. The notch behind the cross peen was designed to get into the tight areas of a box lock. They have a short distance between the face and handle making for quicker hammer control in a school setting. Gotta love and hate google

[@lunkydog]

I think "hanging the hammer (or axe head) comes from when you drive the head on by banging on the bottom of the handle while dangling it, letting the mass and inertia of the head make it seat on the handle. I also have a theory about a more angled grain (while still in line top to bottom) having possibly less shock to the hand. I made an Osage handle for a large hatchet that probably runs 30° off perpendicular and it's very narrow thru the throat. Been flawless for probably 2 decades. All of my Osage has been split out my selfbow making in pie shaped wedges, so the exact opposite of how everyone says handles should be oriented.

[@VexChoccyMilk]

I think the most important thing strength-wise for wooden tool handles is that there is no grain runout. Osage maybe has less vibration than hickory? I don't know how strength compares but I know hickory is pretty sturdy.

[@scottcates]

Nice work here. Oh, and it's 2022 -- get some *DUST COLLECTION* Your sinuses will thank me next week.

[@sambaggins2798]

I would love to see you do a historical sword

[@dryroasted5599]

Your piece of raw hickory is quarter-sawn; ie, it's cut like a pie wedge out of the tree. It's generally considered to be the strongest way to cut the wood, if you were planning on using it as a structural member, like a support post or a table leg.

[@edwartschwarz7136]

Very good also from the KZbin video making perspective ! I need MMMOOORRREEEE

[@beetroot7486]

Looks almost identical to the French style I have.

[@RobPollen]

im good at getting hammered!!!

[@lazaromartins3058]

Daqui do Goiás Jaraguá Brasil agente diz Bisurdo de bao parabéns professor Will

[@ronniejarvis2679]

Would it be a good idea to drill a hole at the end of the slit to alleviate the stress riser?

[@ejburke8271]

While it couldn't hurt, wood will probably split with or without it. If you were doing the same thing in metal, 100% yes.

[@bigtsperspective5831]

You’re frikin hilarious 😂❤