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Hammer Basics

by Judy Larson
Hammers. We all have them in our studios. Each hammer type may be used in different ways for different things by each of us, but one thing we all agree on - they are essential to our work.

My father was a weekend woodworker and passed on many of his skills to me. When I was a little girl, I loved "helping" him build things in the garage. The skills learned from him have been used my entire life. What is surprising is how much of what he taught me transfers into jewelry making. Here are a couple of his tips on hammer use.
Instructions
Surface height is important
Hammering from the wrist is not a good idea. Whenever possible, the height of whatever is being hammered on should be slightly below elbow height when the arm is bent at a 90 degree angle.

Stand to hammer so the height of what is being worked on puts the fulcrum at the elbow, not the wrist. The wrist should not bend at all when hammering. The hammer should be held so it creates a straight line from the elbow through to the head of the hammer.
Arm position is important
Most of the time, great force behind a hammer strike is not needed, especially when making jewelry. Keep the upper arm parallel to the body. Hold the elbow to the body while hammering. No chicken dance here. Holding the elbow up and away from the body when hammering can cause cumulative shoulder damage.

Line up the work in front of the arm instead of centered in front of the body. The arm/elbow will have less of a tendency to move away from the body to make a hammer strike.
Handle grip is important
If the handle is clenched in a white-knuckle grip, stress and muscle fatigue will occur. There will also be less control of where the hammer face strikes when the grip is too tight.

When a very delicate hammer tap is needed, you might need to grip the hammer handle closer to the head. However, it is usually better to hold the hammer closer to the handle end, which is usually the thickest part of the handle, rather than choking up on it as shown here.

Gripping the hammer at the end of the handle gives more control of where the hammer face lands as well as more force behind a strike, meaning less work to achieve the same results.
Judy Larson's Hammer Basics - Handle grip is important, Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, jeweler's hammer
Do not point your index finger along the handle-first photo. You may think you have great control of the hammer, but holding the handle differently will give you better control. With the pointer finger on top of the handle, hammer strike reverberations will go right up your arm, causing a great deal of muscle fatigue.

For better control, try placing the thumb beside the handle instead of on top of it-second photo. There is more control, as well as more force to the hammer face hit.
Judy Larson's Hammer Basics - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, jeweler's hammer
Some hammers have an indent or thumb rest on the top of the handle, like this stubby handle hammer used for striking metal stamps. Using the hammer with the thumb on top of the handle can send reverberations up the arm.

If the hammer is not fully gripped around the handle, there is less control of the hammer with heavy strikes. If there is a lot of force behind a hammer strike, the hammer could easily fly out of the hand.
Judy Larson's Hammer Basics - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, jeweler's hammer
For the best control of a hammer, wrap your fingers around the end of the handle with your thumb above the index finger (first photo), over your index finger (second photo), or between the index and middle fingers. Try all three thumb-finger positions to find out which is the most comfortable for you.
Judy Larson's Hammer Basics - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, jeweler's hammer
Judy Larson's Hammer Basics - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, jeweler's hammer

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7 Piece Mini TruStrike Hammer Set with Stand
HAM-520.70
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4oz Ball Peen Hammer with Wooden Handle
G3-36
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BALLPEIN HAMMER SUPREME- 8OZ
HAM-430.18
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Bench Blocks - 130 X 130 X 20
DUR-1187
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Chasing Hammer with Wooden Handle, 1 1/8 Inch Face
G3-27
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