The Complete Blacksmith & Farrier Hammer Buyer's Guide | Centaur Forge

The Complete Blacksmith & Farrier Hammer Buyer's Guide


Choosing tools such as a farrier or blacksmith hammer requires consideration of:
  • Your ability to control hammers of varying weights
  • Whether your work calls for technical intricacy or precision in simple design
  • Your preferences for comfort and grip

Realizing total control comes with practice, but you can help yourself by selecting the best farrier driving hammer or blacksmith hammer that has a weight light enough for you to lift it for 2-3 hours at a time and comfortably guide it as it falls so that it strikes the area and displaces metal with the desired effect.

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Foremost in selecting the best blacksmith and farrier hammer for your work is weight. The type, which defines a blacksmith hammer's specific use, and style, which defines how the hammer fits and functions within your hands, also help profoundly shape your technique and the results of your work.

Weight


Manufacturers weigh hammers in grams, but most weights are also translated into pounds. Weights tend to fall into the following ranges:
  • Small - 500g-1000g
  • Medium - 1000g-2000g
  • Large - Greater than 2000g

Small hammers offer significantly greater control and endurance. Because working at the anvil requires stretches of hammering for several hours, it's important that you opt for a hammer that will allow you to lift continually and control the descent of a hammer without fatiguing your hand or arm before the metal cools.

Suggested item: 500 gram German Pattern Hammer


500 gram German Pattern Hammer 1.10 lbs. 500 gram German Pattern Hammer 1.10 lbs.

Medium hammers allow you to work with larger metals and create shapes with wider surface areas. They may also help create specialized shapes for particular uses that would take unreasonable amounts of time when using small hammers.

Suggested item: H133 Centaur 2 Pound Straight Pein Hammer


H133 Centaur 2 Pound Straight Pein Hammer H133 Centaur 2 Pound Straight Pein Hammer

Large hammers are perfect for working with materials and shapes that require the construction of exceptionally wide planes. They are also useful for moving massive amounts of metal at one time, which compliments shaping using a small hammer for a varied approach.

Suggested item: Peddinghaus 2000 gram French Pattern Hammer


Peddinghaus 2000 gram French Pattern Hammer Peddinghaus 2000 gram French Pattern Hammer


Style


The style you choose for your blacksmith or farrier hammer affects how comfortably and accurately you're able to handle it. Style is a function of three factors:

Material


Most blacksmith and farrier hammers will use handles made from treated wood designed to minimize friction without compromising grip. Because the handle will move within your hand as you lift and guide the hammer, balance the natural grip of the wood with the durability and slip of the finish to keep blisters and wear to a minimum.

Grip


Many handles also feature a grip made of synthetic rubber or common industrial elastomer. Grips increase friction but prevent repetitive movement from continually damaging skin as you work. They also ensure that you don't lose control of your hammer and accidentally drop or throw it.

Shape


The shape of the handle comes in contours to fit a variety of hand sizes. Your grip method may also vary from that of fellow blacksmiths. Most hammer handles are shaped to fit firmly into most hands and grip methods, but you may find that you're better able to control longer or shorter handles depending on the strength you put into your swing.

Type


A blacksmith or farrier hammer's type defines for what purpose the smith will use the hammer.

Blacksmith Hammers


Blacksmith hammers come in a range of sizes and tend to be pattern hammers with square faces and cross peins. Their design allows them to move metal in larger chunks, then pattern out the metal using the flat face.

Suggested item:

Peddinghaus 1000 Gram Hammer Peddinghaus 1000 gram German Pattern Hammer

Clipping Hammers


Handy for farriers, clipping hammers have smaller and more precise faces and peins to handle precision work. Many farriers file and sand the handle to help create a custom grip for fine detailing.

Suggested item:

Flatland Forge Clipping Hammer Flatland Forge 1.75 lbs. Clipping Hammer

Driving Hammers


The best driving hammers for farriers offer superior balance and power with extended tips to help push nails through horseshoes and into the hoof wall of the horse.

Suggested item:

12 oz NC Cavalry Driving Hammer 12 oz NC Cavalry Driving Hammer

Mallets


Mallets allow blacksmiths and farriers to hammer out exceptionally large areas of metal to quickly make rudimentary shapes that can then be better defined by more specialized hammers.

Suggested item:

#4 Rawhide Leather Mallet, 11oz #4 Rawhide Leather Mallet, 11oz

Rounding Hammers


Rounding hammers have both a rounded head and a flat head with rounded edges. Some edges are more defined than others, which allows blacksmiths and farriers to select a hammer that can push out specific types of rounded edges.

Suggested item:

Bloom 2 lb Rounding Hammer Bloom 2 lb Rounding Hammer

Specialty Hammers


Specialty hammers are made purpose-specific for blacksmiths and farriers who require shaping and detailing ability on a regular basis. They help make regular specialized work faster and easier, but not are not easily applicable to general smithing.

See our specialty hammers page for more information on the applications for these hammers.

Suggested item:

Peddinghaus 170 gram Planishing Hammer Peddinghaus 170 gram Planishing Hammer

Sledge Hammers


Sledge hammers are extra-heavy versions of different types of farrier and blacksmith hammers for various uses. At sledge hammer weight, they are superior for moving lots of metal quickly without worrying about shaping or detailing it.

Suggested item:

Centaur H-133 8 Pound Straight Pein Hammer Centaur H-133 8 Pound Straight Pein Hammer

Choosing the Best Blacksmith or Farrier Hammer


Select your hammer by remembering the following:

  • Balance weight and size by considering the endurance you'll need to take on your regular workload. Small and medium hammers are usually enough for general farrier and blacksmith needs
  • Consider grip for safety first; afterward, think about what kinds of finishes and materials will prevent your hands from taking damage caused by repeated lifting and gripping.
  • Ensure that the shape of your hammer's face and pein will allow you to create the shapes you want to create in a reasonable time without wearing on your stamina.
  • Grab specialized hammers if you find that you're spending too much time and strength on very specific tasks for which hammers have already been made available.

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