more hammer id please

[benjy]

you guys recently identified a stone masons hammer for me,,can you do it again,,,are these stonemason or blacksmith,,,thanks in advance.

[rusty]

Top swage, definitly blacksmith.
Not something you find lying around very often ; P

[scottg]

Yup, swages
There were probably other 1/2's just like them, except with a tapered shank to fit into an anvil's hardy hole.

The smith would swing the glowing work over the bottom swage, place the top swage directly above it and nod to the apprentice, or striker.
Who would wallop the swage with a sledge.
  You could put a round journal in a square bar this way

The fluted one is pretty cool. Decorative work!
yours Scott

[anglesmith]

scottg made it clear. Nearly all blacksmiths tools were struck not swung, in the hay days of blacksmithing it need two to produce work on the anvil. the blacksmith was lost without a good striker.  I guess it and easy mistake for those not familar with blacksmithing to make if its got a handle its a hammer!
Graeme

[anglesmith]

Just enlarged the photo. The decorative one Scottg, is for producing horse shoe bar eg,  for light or racing shoes.The  groove covers the whole shoe from end to end and makes it lighter and the farrier can choose to put the nails wherever he likes.
Graeme

[scottg]

Just enlarged the photo. The decorative one Scottg, is for producing horse shoe bar eg,  for light or racing shoes.The  groove covers the whole shoe from end to end and makes it lighter and the farrier can choose to put the nails wherever he likes.
Graeme

Wow thanks Graeme! Makes perfect sense the instant you pointed it out! I would like to see one of these shoes sometime.
yours Scott

[keykeeper]

I've seen similar swages like the left one used to put decorative creases in stock for use on pickets and such. Also, makes a nice pattern when used on a square rod which is then twisted.