Uri Hofi Style Hammers

By David Einhorn

The first photograph shows three Hofi style hammers. The hammer on the left is marked 2.3 lbs, 1999 and was acquired directly from Uri Hofi when he demonstrated at the yearly Blacksmith Guild of the Potomac Spring Fling. Of the three hammers shown, it demonstrates best all the features of a Hofi style hammer. It is nicely balanced, has a strong square handle, and all the surfaces are faced for efficient hammering and fullering. Hofi described how he concentrated more mass at the center of the head, kept the handle short and square so that the hammer may be controlled by rotating the hammer between the thumb and fingers. The balance and handle design are essential to his efficient and shoulder saving method of hammering.

According to information on IForgeIron.com Hofi is in development of a new improved Hofi hammer including changes to its shape and materials used for its manufacture.

• Three Hofi Style Hammers: