Passed on Hammer

[Mike H]

This hammer was sitting on a table outside of a local antique shop
I picked it up and put it back down many times mostly because of chips on bottom of face
Finally this past Sat. I paid 'em $2 for it
I should be able to remember this but what trade was this shape for
I have looked through some books and i-net but can't find where I have seen this before

[Bill Houghton]

It looks like a variation of the original Maydole adze-eye carpenter's hammer to me.

[Mike H]

Bill
Thanks for the reply; I typed Maydole adze eye carpenter hammer into Google and
sure enough before long was looking at a pic of something very much like my
latest project. I am assuming that adze eye refers to shape of the "channel" through
the hammer head for the handle. Have gotten the rust under control and tried to smooth
some dings out without changing the shape of the hammer. There is a roughed out
handle that needs shaping. Will post  a pic when it gets further along. It occurs to me that this purchase marks some sort of crossing of line from user to collector.
Mike H.

[Branson]

It's an earlier style of adz eye hammer, not uncommon.  This style was made well into the 20th Century.  I have six or seven like this, varying quality.  I found one that was marked US, made by Plumb.  I also have a Cheney hammer made in this style. 

[skipskip]

It occurs to me that this purchase marks some sort of crossing of line from user to collector.
Mike H.

YUP, you are doomed to wander the earth seeking the elusive tool, much like Diogenes.

Skip

[scottg]

You didn't mention what size? These came from 6-8 ounces up past 20 ounces.
I "did" (cleaned up and carved a handle) for a 10oz in this pattern recently.
  Standard 16 ounce'rs are very common. Other sizes not as much.
   yours Scott

[international3414]

your doing the right thing,restore one at a time....dont do like me....welcome and have fun!

[Branson]

your doing the right thing,restore one at a time....dont do like me....welcome and have fun!

What's that hammer head just beneath the one on the upper right?   It looks awfully close to the hammer I'm looking for.  And what's its weight?

[international3414]

if your talking about the masons hammer(no handle),its 12.7 ounces and 7" long,unmarked

[Branson]

if your talking about the masons hammer(no handle),its 12.7 ounces and 7" long,unmarked

Haven't seen a mason's hammer with that swell around the eye, except for a Russian one on eBay.  Most of the Spanish coopers use a hammer in much the same style, but at 3 to 4 pounds.  Not a lot longer, but quite a bit fatter.

[Mike H]

ScottG
Was just out in shop inspecting last evening's short bit of work on the
handle blank for this hammer. More work needed. Grabbed the hammer head
and brought it in to a little postage scale. 20 oz. and maybe a hair more.
Also have noticed a letter E (Capital) on one side of head;
about 1/16" of an inch high. It is back toward the claws so there
is more than ample room to get MAYDOL in front of the E

[scottg]

Can't wait to see the handle!!
And way to go in advance.

I am doing a couple right now. I am not sure I want to show them though. heehehheehehe
  Neither are very good.
  More port-in-a-storm kind of work.
  A hammer and an ax. The hammer has an ax handle because there was a surplus cracked hatchet handle and it wouldn't work for an ax anymore.
  So I took a 16oz claw hammer head and cut it down to about 13 or 14 ounces to lighten it up. Still too big for the tiny handle though. :^(

    And a hatchet on a stubby handle because I had an old broken handle that would work, if I could get the proportions right,
     but I don't think I'm gonna!   

Oh well, the hammer was nothing and the ax too and both handles were broken stubs of other handles I couldn't use so there wasn't anything to lose.
I guess I can take a picture if you want. Don't poke too much fun though. heh

   The really good news for me is that I am in love with the old industrial angle grinder that I got from a yard sale last fall, and fixed up.   
  Its heavy as lead but man, but it eats metal for breakfast! I am liking it.
Fast metal removal and serious aerobic exercise at the same time! Whats not to love?   
    yours Scott

[Mike H]

1 week later

[adamo]

i realize the hammer was only $2 but does it loose value when you restore it.  Everyone tells you don't restore old furniture because it looses all the value.

PS You hammer does look amazing now. LOL

[Branson]

Not much danger of losing value on this hammer.  It isn't going to command a big price any time soon, and it is still worth more than two bucks. 

>Everyone tells you don't restore old furniture because it looses all the value.

Everyone is telling you wrong.  While a piece of furniture in top original condition or even slightly worn will  command a higher price than one that has been restored, the cost of  a broken or overly worn piece of furniture (or tool) will increase if it is *properly*(!) restored.   There is a whole industry of restoration -- has been for a very long time.  And proper restoration is not cheap.   At one time I did quite a bit of restoration for several antique dealers, from regluing wobbly chairs to replacing missing veneer, to recreating missing parts and finishes.  Dealers don't spend that kind of money if the piece is going to lose value. 

The problem is amateur restorations by people who don't understand what they are working with, either wood or finish.  I've made money fixing "restorations."  I'm currently working on a press-back rocker that was a) painted over with green paint and b) "restored" by pounding a *bunch* of nails into the various joints.  The nails I can fix.  The corrugated fasteners used to repair splits in the seat are going to have to stay, unfortunately.