Restoring a hammer

[Herblay]

Dear all:

One of the few items pending restoration in my FHC S1 is the hammer. I attach a picture: as you can see, the hammer has been extensively used. I'm looking for advice about restoration (I assume it can be done), any thoughts? Do you know any specialists (mainly UK based) which I can recur on this?

Best regards

[Heuer]

Thor can supply you with new hide and copper inserts and inserts are frequently advertised on eBay. If the wood is not split it can be stripped and re-varnished. The cast head was originally dipped in hot oil to get the black finish but you could achieve the same effect with the stuff they use to 'blue' gun barrels, which is in effect controlled rusting.

[JagWaugh]

David is dead on. Replacement inserts can still be ordered from Thor. Get your hands on some Brownells "Gun black" touchup (The original had selenium in it, and gives a better black but is toxic). Alternatively, parkerize the head, Parkerizing is easy to do. see:

http://picasaweb.google.com/JagWaugh1968

I can give you the recipe (phosphoric acid, Zinc, steel wool, and demineralised water.

A lead hammer is actually better, IMHO. See:

http://www.grahamtool.com/leadhammermoldsetmedium.aspx

[Herblay]

Thanks a lot for this useful advice, folks