FREEHAND Peening Hammer

Phil prefers to peen with an 800g hammer.

With a heavier hammer you can let the hammer fall and allow it’s weight to do most of the work. This can help increase accuracy of placement of blows and reduce fatigue.

We find there are two kinds of peeners:

Some people are a little timid with their hammer blows and are prone to under-peening with a 500g hammer. An 800g hammer can help in this case.

However, some people are used to “hitting” with a hammer. If you prefer to strike firmly you may find an 800g hammer causes you to over-peen the blade.

• Choose the 800g hammer if you think you are likely to strike softly, or would prefer to allow the weight of the hammer to do most of the work.
• Choose the 500g hammer if you think you would prefer to fully strike with the hammer.

The face of peening hammers must be kept smooth and shiny.

Any dint or defect in the face of the hammer will be imprinted in the blade being peened.

A peening hammer should be reserved for peening with an anvil only and NEVER used with the jig, or worse yet, to hammer in nails!

Frequent polishing of the face of your hammer and anvil with a 120 grit rubberized sanding block will keep it nice and shiny.

A peening jig does not require a specialized hammer.

We stock this JIG peening hammer in 500g or 800g weight, or you can use a standard carpenters hammer with a minimum weight of 1lb (454g).

You can learn more about freehand peening:

• in our Peening Guide
• on a Peening and Sharpening Workshop
• on the Scythe Masterclass
• from the videos of Phil’s Peening Masterclass at the Scythe Festival in 2011 (links at the end of the Peening Guide).
• from other tutors via the Scythe Association of Britain and Ireland