Tools and materials questions

[Paladin 51]

I have read through almost all the posts here and in tutorials but one thing I don't see mentioned is what kind and weight of ball peen hammer you use and why. I am trying to find a hammer as I only have one that is 8 oz and think it to big. What weight do you recommend? Also what type of sandpaper do you use? I can only find gator grit at our hardware store and only up to 600 grit. It is ok I guess but wonder if there is anything better.

[treefarmer]

Can't say about the hammer size but you can usually get wet or dry type sand papers at the auto supply stores. I bought some a while back as fine as 2000 grit to clean up some nasty scratches on a bolster of an old Case knife. Treefarmer

[glennbad]

I use a 4oz. hammer. Although, I've seen in videos the guys are hammering away with hammers that are bigger.

I think, however, that the small hammers only allow you to go so fast, which is a good thing.

Glenn

[Paladin 51]

is a 4 oz hammer then pretty well standard? Is there a difference in the diameter and roundness of the ball on different brands as well. Inquiring minds want to know.
Yes i have bought some paper at auto stores but was wanting to know which name brand is better than others if there is such a thing.

[orvet]

I use a 4 oz hammer and a 2 oz as well for smaller pins.

I think I can mushroom out the head of a pin better with many light taps from a smaller hammer than with a few whacks with a bigger hammer.
The danger I notice with the heavier hammer is that you can swell the pivot pin where it passes though the blade.
Then you have to replace the pin because the blade won't walk & talk if the pin has swelled too much in the pivot hole.

Also if you keep the head (the ball) of the hammer polished and never use it on anything but brass & nickel silver (aka: white brass), you can get cleaner peened pins.
If the hammer has chips in it, it will transfer those marks into the pin.

[muskrat man]

I use hammers from 3-8 oz heads. I like something in the lower end of that range for actual peening though I suggest a ball peen as well as a cross peen. Both are very useful. You can never have too many hammers.

[Elvis]

I've also found that slightly rounding off the flat side of your small hammer allows for easier peining. Ditto on what Dale said about keeping it's surface smooth too.

[gringo]

more hammers is best...
i am using a small cross peen hammer...about 2 ounces...SWEET for rounding out pins.