Wrought Iron Claw Hammer with side straps 12oz

In 1845 blacksmith David Maydole invented The "Adze Eye" styled hammer which prevented the hammer head from "flying off the handle" which became the standard pattern to this day. Prior to Maydole however side straps were sometimes inserted into the hammer eye then secured to the handle to avert rogue hammer heads at the job site.
This hammer was forged using pre industrial methods from century old wrought iron anchor chain. Since iron lacks the hardness required for the working ends of a hammer a high carbon steel (1095) was forge welded to the hammer face and laminated to the surface of the claw then heat treated in oil, a practice employed by blacksmiths for centuries.
The handle was turned from African Blackwood extending 13 1/2 inches.
Handcrafted in Portland, Oregon 2025