Hardy Tools

One series of tool types that can enhance a blacksmith's ability to work and create are the hardy tools. Hardy tools are tools that fit in the hardy hole of your anvil. This allows the tool to be firmly fixed and the blacksmith to use hammer in one hand and tongs in the other to work his or her metal over the hardy tool. Hardy tools, themselves, are lengths of metal shaped on one end to fit into the hardy hole and shaped oppositely the hardy tang to accommodate the type of work to be done. There are many types of hardy tools that accomplish different work on your metal. Blacksmiths find a variety of these tools invaluable. For those blacksmiths who often operate their smithies without help and the hobbyist, hardy tools will be seen as must have equipment.

As mentioned, hardy tools will accomplish specific tasks depending on the shape of their work area. For example, a sharply tapered hardy ending in a chisel edge is known as a cut-off hardy. It is used to cut hot metal to the size you need or to split hot metal. A hardy with a dull taper and blunt edge is a fuller and can be used to peen hot metal, make grooves, shape hot metal and fuller knives when working with a fuller set. Mushroom hardies are semispherical on the working end. They are useful for opening demples, making candle cups, ladles and spoons and can be used to put a final shape to forks as well as for simple planishing. Mandrels may also have hardy tangs allowing them to be affixed to the anvil via the hardy hole. Bickerns, too, may be affixed to the hardy hole. Mandrels are very useful in making metal rings of exact size, a skill useful in making chains. Beside the anvil horn, the bickern is a marvelous tool for making spear and arrowheads, as it is basically a mandrel bent ninety degrees to lie on its side. Other hardy tools can be bending stakes, which are highly useful when the posts are movable on a stake block. The square anvil block has many uses as well. Small round ball hardies are superior for making demples.

For the hobbyist and beginner, I consider at least two types of hardy tools absolutely necessary. These are the cut-off hardy and the fuller. You should always set aside a day to cut your metal to lengths that you want. Once that chore is accomplished you may choose a day to fire up the forge and work your metal to shape. Even experienced blacksmiths will find they have forgotten to cut a piece or mis-measured. Instead of shutting down the forge to cut another piece, simply use the cut-off hardy. Why not just use the forge and cut-off hardy to do the job in the first place? It is faster and saves fuel to use an air cutting tool or metal cutting band saw. If you develop you blacksmithing hobby into a business you will find that this practice goes a long way. The fuller will allow the smith to peen the metal easier than peening with the hammer and allow extra options in shaping. I would also recommend the mushroom hardy for even greater shaping options. Eventually, the blacksmith will assemble all the hardy tools he or she needs, as the blacksmith is capable of making any tool he or she may need.

If you are interested in the blacksmithing tools listed leave a comment here and I can make you what you need and sell it to you through http://northwoodstraders.ecrater.com/. Check our store frequently in the next few weeks as we are adding survival supplies.