Power hammer vs hand forging debate really hit me at Quad-State 2023

I was at Quad-State last year watching a demo where this old timer from Missouri was cranking out perfect leaves by hand in like 2 minutes each. Meanwhile the guy next to him with a 50lb power hammer was doing the same thing in 30 seconds but had to fix way more mistakes. Which method do you think produces better work in the long run? I'm starting to wonder if we rely too much on machines now.

2 comments

2 Comments

the_david5d ago

That old timer's 2-minute leaves will outlast the power hammer ones every time.

danielmartinez5d ago

Read an interview with a Japanese swordsmith who said the machine is just a tool but the hand teaches you how to make it sing. Power hammers are faster but you never learn that feedback loop, that feel of the steel. Hand work builds a skill that carries over even when you do use machines later.