Had a chat with a old timer at the flea market that got me thinking about hammer technique

I was picking up a rusty post vise and this retired farrier started talking about how he never swings harder than a 45 degree arc, said most smiths waste energy on big swings that mess up their control. He showed me his wrist, been doing it 40 years with no arthritis or tendon issues. Anyone else ever scale back their swing and notice a difference in their work?

2 comments

2 Comments

simon_coleman18d ago

Did the old guy mention anything about how he gripped the hammer? I tried switching to a lighter grip after @miles798's post about nail setting, and it actually made a bigger difference than shortening my swing. Your mileage may vary, but my strikes feel way more predictable now with less shock going up my arm.

miles79818d ago

Went through the same thing a few years back installing hardwood. Used to swing a framing hammer like I was driving railroad spikes, wore out my elbow something awful. A carpenter buddy told me to use shorter strokes and let the weight of the hammer do the work. I started focusing on smooth, controlled swings from about a 30 degree arc, and within a week my elbow pain was almost gone. My nail setting got way more precise too, less bent nails and fewer hammer marks on the trim. Now I barely use my wrist at all, just a loose grip and let the tool track true.