Tools of the Trade - Townsends Wilderness Homestead - Hand Forged Hammer

[@townsends]

After months of trial and error, headaches, sore muscles and one nearly corrupted hard drive later, we are so excited and proud to FINALLY be sharing this video with you. This is easily one of the most difficult projects we've done on the homestead, but it turned out to be one of the most satisfying. We hope you enjoy it!

[@Suninrags]

I haven't fully watched the video yet but I am thinking, if you are using a hammer to forge a hammer then where did the first hammer come from.

[@ericwilliams1659]

@@Suninrags I assume one starts with a rock ground down flat, than that is used as a hammer

[@african8855]

@@Suninrags Maybe the first iron hammer was forged with a bronze hammer and the first bronze one with one of copper.

[@garrettdodgen3771]

@@Suninrags That would have to be purchased from another blacksmith/supplier in that era. Unless you had a manual blast furnace capable of extracting iron from ore. Then that extracted iron could be manipulated with a lesser metal hammer such as copper/bronze to get a hammer or if you could get hot enough, make a clay mold and pour the liquid iron into a hammer shaped mold. This would be crude iron but that would allow you to build up to working with better metal such as steel with carbon added to the metal.

[@TheSlavChef]

The video is great! Watched it 2 times already!

[@SteelyDanzig]

It's so cool seeing other members of the Townsends Cinematic Universe getting their own episodes. I hope there's more

[@Randoplants]

agreed! I remember awhile back James was interviewing different reenactors, which was very cool. This video seems like a step further in that direction.

[@billmiller4972]

TCU >> MCU

[@ReasonsWhy1]

@@Randoplants It seems more real now, and not just a performance. It really seems like a glimpse into past life

[@ChuChiChoyo]

I appreciate that you are publically saying "this was not a one day project" and talking about your frustrations. It has become a bit of a trend to make 3+ week projects look like they were done in a day, and that there was no struggle with them. It can be really discouraging to try to recreate something you see only to find out that the person who did it had to put hours upon hours of love, labor, and tears into it and they didn't even tell you!

[@MrFredstt]

I agree! So often I would try and recreate a project I saw only for it to take a while and a lot of hard work and wonder how it was so quick and easy it was for the person I watched

[@Jonathan-yh7cr]

Another beautifully crafted video that balances narration and natural sounds. The team has really been amazing with the video color grading as well!

[@townsends]

Much appreciated!

[@rabinathtulsi7145]

Hello from Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹 really appreciate this video. This video reminds me of my grandfather he passed away at 93.and he was a sugarcane cutter and work as a laborer in the field so making cutlass and clamps for bull cart was his thing. Thank you for bringing back the memories

[@stndunnam]

God bless you and your family bro

[@scottlidstone1902]

A wild hammer giving birth to it's young, I feel like needs a David Attenborough voiceover.

[@publicdomain3378]

Now this is the most underrated comment of the year 👍

[@jamievaughn1485]

These videos are so relaxing and very often educational. I cannot praise this channel enough honestly and I can only hope more people discover it and watch along with those of us who already love it.

[@hootowlholler3760]

My grandfather was a blacksmith in his younger days. I wish he was still alive to see your video.🤗

[@emiliofernandez7117]

That’s cool, could you tell me more about him if you see this?

[@oo-de-lally]

ditto -- great-grandfather was, my fam has been continually successful because of the foundation that man laid

[@HLBear]

I remember that apprentices would be given a tool, then eventually make their own. I can see heading to the frontier with a hammer from back home and making new sizes or types as needed. Thank you, Brandon! Beautiful video, Townsend's team.

[@jeffreygraf3358]

Hard work makes you really appreciate the finished product.

[@smallbar2012]

The diegetic sound mix in this video is stellar - the creak of the bellows, the ring of the hammer, the rasp of the draw horse - it's all delightfully immersive.

[@stevethecountrycook1227]

As a person that has fabricated many steel and wood items in my 60 years, I can appreciate the effort that goes into such a tool! Great job guys!

[@allistrata]

I honestly normally couldn't care less about toolmaking but I was so into this. You guys are getting good! I love how your video making style has evolved. Thanks very much for teaching and entertaining us!

[@dbmail545]

This channel shows me how to survive in the 18th century. Engals Coach Shop shows me skills needed for the 19th. I stumbled my way through the 20th. I wish that I could find stuff to help me through the 21st. Loved seeing that personalized mark go on that hammer

[@debbralehrman5957]

Good to see it finally worked out for you. It looks great too. Nice job Brandon. And the crew.

[@stuartligo6975]

For heating that much mass you may want to consider, weighting the bellows so the upper chamber bleeds out faster, rebuild the bowl with the home spun bricks in a way that allows you to pile the coals in front off the bellows nozzle but pointing at the work pieces so that the air does not need to bend in travel. And I know for frontier tech double piston bellows were rare and normally only found with large foundries but that will allow a much higher flow rate for heavy pieces. But this is excellent and shows that you guys are willing to push what you have before upgrading. True frontier hard work.

[@northernembersoutdoors1045]

Watched the turkey cook off last night, was brilliant, I love the different types of videos that come out. In fact we've started having our dinner and watch a video from an earlier time that we've not watched. In this mad world its a bit of sanity to be honest.

[@deborahscotland8819]

I agree, a bit of sanity. Relaxing and satisfying to watch.

[@northernembersoutdoors1045]

@@deborahscotland8819 Absolutly, first video I ever watched was the oven build, now I eat dinner and watch and relax, really enjoyable, thanks.

[@FrikInCasualMode]

That's what i love about this channel. Townsends show us how to make tools, to make better tools, to build an entire homestead :)

[@TheSlavChef]

Came for the nutmeg, stayed for the blaksmith tutorial!

[@campgiant2392]

While “the nutmeg fiend” is fantastic, it’s great to see you doing a video on your own and bringing that love of blacksmithing to the channel!

[@jamesryan3572]

Brandon was amazing in this! His on screen presence has come so far, what a fantastic video

[@karynalovesyou4615]

Brandon's my uncle :)

[@motd8931]

No power tools. No modern precision instruments. SMALL fire pot. No one (that I saw) striking with a sledge. And yet one of the straightest, most centered holes punched in a hammer head I've seen on youtube. You sir are an amazing smith!

[@J.j.35]

This has given me the warmest feeling in my chest. Something about these videos makes me feel like this is how the world is supposed to be.

[@vikingventures3888]

I'm so impressed that you persevered through all that work. Well done! I always love it when reenactors have their own tools. It just heightens the overall impression. Thank you for another wonderful video - I always love what you do. All the best from a fellow reenactor :)

[@rinrat6754]

A true artisan at work. What a marvellous thing to show, and done so simply and clearly.

[@tombrown879]

Great job Brandon. I use Charcoal almost all the time in my shop, as well as when teaching part times at Fort Union Trading post here in ND. That would have been to much for our forge at the fort, as the pot is only around 3in. but pretty ez at my forge. where the pot is 6x9in and 4-1/2 in deep with a box made of fire brick on top stacked 2 high. Try to stay around 2 in. of charcoal area around the entire piece. so you could make the fire pot a little bigger. or as a temp fix try to keep more of the heat in the pot by covering it with a thick domed clay lid with a few holes in the center for venting and at least one lifting ring. or a cast iron pot lid in a pinch. think ceramic kiln. but will need to lift the lid and put more fuel in as it will burn up pretty fast. Most hammers in that size that i make, would use up around a 5-8lb pound bag or bucket of charcoal in my home forge. Great video as always. love the whole homestead series. Tom B.

[@alkberg2140]

I love the quiet energy in this video. Informative and soothing! A break from out hectic electronic world. Thank you for the effort.

[@fugithegreat]

This video was worth the wait! Your team is very skilled and intrepid, and the finished products (both hammer and video) turned out wonderful.

[@Ablorktoremember]

I like that you are branching out into the whole historical recreation experience. Not just cooking but building, sailing, crafting, etc.

[@legion3912]

This is very relaxing to watch. Much better than other channels focused on heavy machinery forging.

[@Azkamoski]

As a blacksmith its nice to see the history of my craft shown as well as the processes.

[@Dexterity_Jones]

A seriously good video, and the blacksmith is a natural. Helluva nice way to eat my lunch and relax for a few mins.

[@yasminesacristan5855]

Great video. So satisfying. Loved listening to the birds

[@jps30]

I love visiting the forge. It's always so toasty here.

[@davidashmore3929]

Must be so rewarding to have the finished product in your hand.

[@authorannie1211]

These videos on the homestead are great.

[@dquinnster47]

I really love how you shoot these videos. I can feel that fire and smell that smoke.

[@agimagi2158]

That glowing piece of metal block looked so satisfying!

[@drenee65]

Lovely video. Calm, relaxing. Now I can start work today in a nice disposition. Thank you

[@kaisenji]

Looks amazing! Back in high school is when I discovered homemade items, blacksmithing, growing medicinal herbs and the like. I love watching forge work even if I can not do it myself due to RSI. My favorite of your website are the wooden bowls which someday I will get as well as the simple kitchen items. We have a homestead and I love to support the artisans.

[@t200b-i7k]

I'm always fascinated to see how things are made, so I very much enjoyed watching this wonderful & impressive display of your black smithing skill! It also caused me consider just how arduous EVERY task was in those times. I have such respect for their fortitude. Thank you for enabling us to connect with the past & to appreciate how easy we have it now by comparison.

[@daveyjoweaver6282]

Thanks Kindly! I have a little experience at the anvil so I really appreciate your work! You’re a true Craftsman! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

[@SizzleWizzle]

Sounds strange but i would like an episode on bathrooms! I suppose this could cover what the bathroom looked like, what they wiped with, and all the other stuff that involves bathrooms.

[@sergeant5848]

It's always assumed we know or a taboo subject, but yes, we are a curious lot and want to know how people coped back then!

[@garethbaus5471]

A surprisingly time and geography dependent subject. Pre modern toilet solutions varied from holes over running water, to holes in the ground, to pig toilets. The predecessors of toilet paper varied by both region and socioeconomic status, with everything from wool(popular with royalty) to corn cobs being used, in some cultures a reusable sponge on a stick was the MO(sometimes even used in public toilets).

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Great effort! I've made quite a few hammers and achieving the proper heat is the hardest part on a simple hammer..

[@kbjerke]

Great video! I really appreciate your efforts. I just survived a two day course, where the students hand forged a custom knife from a railway spike. It was a LOT of HARD work!!! But the results were worth it!! Forge On!!

[@CheeseBacon21]

Excellent video! Well done Brandon! I most definitely enjoy watching blacksmiths at work! I wondered how you were going to get a hole through all that steel, but now I know! Cant wait to see this hammer put through its paces!

[@karynalovesyou4615]

He's my uncle :)

[@thizizliz]

Thats really cool! It will last generations.

[@g3heathen209]

To make a hammer you need a hammer, it's a chicken or the egg thing.

[@Cadwaladr]

The first iron hammers were probably forged using cast bronze hammers, which you can make without a hammer.

[@5days5hearts25]

Rocks are a hammer you can find anywhere

[@mfree80286]

@@Cadwaladr At some point there were no iron tools to work iron at all....

[@squiresam]

A wooden mallet from a really dense wood would work just as well.

[@5days5hearts25]

@@squiresam gotta use a rock to cut down the tree to cut the wood to make the mallet

[@2KDUDE22]

Amazing experience bringing us back to an earlier age, transporting us away to forget our troubles.

[@jennylynn82173]

Wow!!! This process is so neat to see! Thank you! Enjoy your hammer! So cool!

[@santworth]

This, the forge videos, along the farming and pottery themes are the ones I enjoy the most. Awesome.

[@thax321]

Watched several baking and creating videos and I love all of them. Wish the land in my country was cheaper, so I could buy my own plot and make amazing things like this. Time to click that subscribe button.

[@alisgray]

wonderful story, great storytellers!

[@johnnymayo8534]

Great job!! It’s amazing how much work and time it takes to handcraft a simple, utilitarian item most people take for granted!

[@alexfarkas3881]

I understand this hammer was not a relaxing experience to make - but to watch this video added like a year to my expected lifespan...

[@TheCaptainFaz]

Wow Love to see the hammer in 15 years the ash handle worn in, the hammer well used Great work as always 🤙

[@wellingtonsboots4074]

So consistently good. Always enjoy watching. Wonderful channel thank you

[@markcaselius5993]

Now that was a great video. I could watch this kind of thing all day. Well done.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for sharing with us, the hammer turned out great 👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👋👋🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@dodaexploda]

The difficulty and trials you had with getting the heat hot enough would've made a great video.

[@craigbeaty8924]

Fantastic video, guys! The hammer turned out great! All of that effort paid off. I am really looking forward to seeing you put it to work.

[@iris7911]

Waouh, who could imagine it took you so long to make this video...for us it's "only" about eight minutes...and everything seems pretty easy...you all do such a tremendous work, and sometimes for a viewer like me, with no experience "on field", it's hard to imagine how much work is necessary to have these amazing videos...thank you so much, greetings from Switzerland

[@nicolemarly6202]

hello hammer daddy

[@mrdanforth3744]

Good ol' Nicole

[@nessamillikan6247]

I actively look for you guys in the comments sometimes. It warms my heart to see you both so early. :P

[@dwaynewladyka577]

Hello Nicole!

[@michaelpriest6242]

Thank you John for sharing this with us, your food fans. Great history reenactment!

[@jakei8322]

Good job! A couple of tips I would give you though is use way more charcoal, you want a solid mound and the work buried to get the heat you want also try to process the charcoal into smaller walnut sized pieces it helps retain heat.

[@williamstewart1883]

I have loved watching the homestead evolve over time

[@kareiwest200]

EEE!!! I'm actually making my own hammer this summer, so this video was really fun to watch and has me really excited to get blacksmithing again!

[@Paintplayer1]

Blacksmithing is a difficult craft as I've come to understand doing it with a modern propane forge, hydraulic press, etc. Doing it the period way must be a Herculean task. A beautifully produced video as always from our friends at Townsends!

[@fugithegreat]

Makes you really appreciate the most intricate pieces that master blacksmiths throughout history used to make. The artistry has mostly been lost with the advent of mass production.

[@dadegroot]

Nice work. I recently finished making my first hammer too. A cross pein, made from wrought iron with 1045 (C45) tool steel faces forge-welded on. It is immensely satisifying to make your own tools.

[@randy-9842]

Good golly, I do enjoy your blacksmith projects and videos. THANK YOU!

[@CaptainFlintthePirate]

Your videos are always a welcome treat in my week.

[@25Bsingle]

Wow I glad to see all the hard work your crew does I appreciate your dedication of living history though your own knowlege and experience in the moment.

[@BluJean6692]

Sometimes the work speaks for itself. Bravo.

[@brianphilbrook5262]

That’s awesome. I do a little blacksmithing on my farm and a hammer is one project I’d like to tackle.

[@DATA-qt3nb]

Very cool project and the hammer looks great! Ive tested my metal at smithing on a very small primitive backyard scale making small knives(that are far from the prettiest, but its honest work and fun to experiment with given enough free time and a proper amount of space)

[@aaronwilliams007]

Thanks for your continuing content! Please make more tool making vids, that was great to watch and learn. 👍

[@johnhofe3894]

What an awesome video, and shame on the 31 people who gave it a 👎.

[@Bildgesmythe]

Best time of year to do blacksmithing.

[@fugithegreat]

I was thinking that the intense heat would be a lot more welcome in the dead of winter rather than summer! 😅

[@vickistevens423]

Incredible! Great job, Brandon!

[@dwaynewladyka577]

This is so fascinating. I was at a historical site with a friend, around 3 years ago. There was a blacksmith shop on there, and it was neat to see the process. I also got to help out with the process. This video is great. Cheers!

[@StubyDooby1]

Great Video, Very educational. Your lifestyle is definitely a satisfying one

[@JohnSheesley]

Awesome a new video! Thanks for the great videos, always a pleasure.

[@josephrichardson7366]

This video has inspired me to give backyard blacksmithing a try and a goal to one day achieve. Thanks for all the information and videos and one day i hope to make a hammer I can call my own :)

[@moralcompass8457]

Another great project. Stay awesome guys!

[@arifshahabuddin8888]

"If I had a hammer I'd hammer in the morning I'd hammer in the evening All over this land I'd hammer out danger I'd hammer out a warning I'd hammer out love between My brothers and my sisters, ah-ah All over this land..." "If I had a hammer" by Trini Lopez

[@theinmancalledgerm]

Later also sung by Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner...🤦🏻‍♂️😂

[@CollinBuckman]

Correction: "If I Had a Hammer" was written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays

[@nickdempsey211]

I would love to see more blacksmithing videos! Keep up the great work! : D

[@jamesvatter5729]

Read the title and said, "It's Brandon time again!" Good stuff, Jon & Company.

[@karynalovesyou4615]

Brandon's my uncle :))

[@31337ification]

Please please do more of these. so relaxing

[@odbarner9375]

Love your videos. I find them relaxing and love to learn about 18th and early 19th century life.

[@halolime117]

Lovely video, wonderful old craftsmanship!!

[@timothyhood3143]

I love this channel I wish I lived close to yall and was apart of this group thanks for sharing

[@johnmullins9776]

Awesome. Thank you for keeping these skills alive!!

[@lyra2112]

That turned out great!!! Well done Brandon! 🙌

[@synapsetimelapse]

Love all these homestead videos!

[@brigitgoddess]

My dad would have loved this--he had a portable forge and did 18th century re-enactments.

[@44theshadow49]

I've been looking for this for a while. I least expected it from an age old cooking channel. Authentic, old timey blacksmithing is definitely a niche I'd like to see more here, and on KZbin in general.

[@christastic100]

Absolutely brilliant. Glad you put some tallow on that bellows lever though 😁

[@kdavis4910]

Awesome as always Townsends.

[@greywindLOSP]

Sir you did one spot on piece of crafting, well done......ATB

[@debrabrooks6138]

Wonderfully done! Congrats on the new hammer I hope it serves you well! :)