Relative short handle big hammers are di riguere for blacksmiths doing striking
for a master smith.  They might vary from 4-8 lbs, sometimes bigger.  I have
seen as many as five smiths gathered around an anvil striking one at a time
around the circle.  Mind you those are the most experienced ones.  Us rank
amatuer can’t manage more than a single striker for a master smith.

The short handle allows the handle to be tucked under the armpit and the hammer
to be pulled horizontally out of the way after striking - have to clear out for
the next person in the circle.  Folks with long experience with big hammers want
to hold it with their strong hand in back - swinging it a bit diagonally across
the body, or directly over ones head.  But that causes difficulties with keeping
it out of the way.  The preferred method I have been taught is to hold the
hammer with the strong hand up near the head, and the other hand in back, but
with the hammer on the strong hand side.  The week hand goes across the stomach
to behind the stronghand.  While awkward at first once one gets the hang of it
it works well.  Strike straight down guiding with the strong hand, with pretty
much the same tragectory one uses for a smaller hammer swung with a single hand.
One does not strike from that high or force the hammer that much.  The work is
done by the mass of the hammer.  After striking pull it straight back towards
the strong arm pit and only then raise it for your next turn.  That clears it
quickly from the hitting area.

As I said awkward at first and many older smiths never get the hang of it.  But
with a bit of practice it works quite well.  Watching a skilled group of smiths
doing it is a treat.

—Scott

> On Oct 21, 2017, at 10:46 PM, Andrew B.  wrote:
> 
> Late last winter when the yardsales had all dried up around me and there
> was only an estate sale once a month or so, lack of pickings led me to
> bringing home a pretty used up sledge that had a handle about 8 or 10
> inches shorter than my others.  Didn't need it but it was only a couple of
> bucks and thought I could turn it around pretty quick out of my mother's
> booth at an antique mall near me.  It sat in the booth for a few months and
> then one day a friend needed some help fixing his fence and I wanted to
> bring a sledge along but the antique mall was closer than going home from
> where I was starting from so I pulled it from the booth and went on to my
> friends.  Needless to say, after having put it to use, it came back home
> with me.  Don't think I'd want to bust up a sidewalk with it but for some
> things, definitely agree that they do have their place.
>