i ended up ordering two different sized handles that both might fit the smaller hammer. i can use the other one for either another small-to-medium sized straight pein hammer, some other top tool like a slitting chisel or flatter, or something fun like an experimental cooper's driver.
i went to an architectural salvage/reuse place over the weekend. there were a bunch of tools including a few of what appear to be blacksmith made punches and chisels.
i picked up two reasonably priced ball pein hammers. the larger is in ok condition, but the smaller one's ball pein needs to be dressed- it's pretty marred up, but not so much that it's not easily repairable with a file or grinder.
you can see on the larger one that its handle has been hit a few times. i'll probably order a new handle and use this one until it breaks or i get tired of the varnished handle. the smaller one probably needs a new handle too, but i'm not sure which handle to get for it. i'll have to do some digging to find a suitable handle.
#PhotoOfTheDay is of a nice toasty hot railroad spike bottle opener with a twisted cube design.
I really love the heat colors on this one. The finished piece turned out well. I sent it off as a thank you gift to my son's friend's parents who were hosting him for a long weekend visit in San Diego.
#PhotoOfTheDay #blacksmithing theme week continues with this railroad spike knife that I forged. The contrast between the dark, crunchy spike end and the shiny blade is always something that I find aesthetically pleasing.
#photoOfTheDay is of a railroad spike bottle opener that I forged in my usual style, although there are many variations.
I think I've given away all of these that I've made except for the one I kept, but this one I sometimes think should have been the one I hung onto.
Building a gate the hard way:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtWeDcEkzYA
Found this very educational and well made.
Paul Lalonde
Dustin
Niels Provos
David Croyle
CBC Montreal
Y⃒̸̷̝̜̙ͥͥͥngmar