HA8019 = Fretz Janus Chasing Hammer HMR-19

FRETZ JANUS CHASING HAMMER
GoldsmithBill Fretz has introduced a different kind of chasing hammer, called the Janus hammer, in honor of the mythical Roman 2 faced god who symbolizes beginnings and endings.  The two heads of this chasing hammer have identically shaped chasing faces on either side, but with one has a different angle.  The angled head changes the way that you approach your work.  When you switch from one head to the other, your arm angle changes. This minimizes repetitive stress that can happen during long periods of use.  It is a way for you to "mix it up" while you are hammering.  The tilted head lowers your elbow and lowering stress on your arm.  The tilt is pretty much straight down.  In his researching designs for the Janus chasing hammer, Bill Fretz found a wide range of opinions on how to design a chasing hammer.  The tilted head design caught is attention. The Janus chasing hammer has a round end handle instead of a more traditional pistol grip.  The round end handle makes changing from one head to the other by "spinning" the hammer in your hand much easier.  The handle is also a little bit longer than other Fretz handles.

The Fretz Chasing Hammer will feel heavy compared to other hammers, but that extra weight along with the handle design lets the hammer deliver the blow and not your hand.  This will minimize your effort when chasing.

The head of the Fretz Chasing Hammer has been hardened to 50Rc; important since chasing requires blows of hammer against chasing tool.  Other hammers are design only for hammer against metal.  Unfortunately the polished face of the Fretz Chasing Hammer may become marred during normal use.  This will in no way affect its performance while chasing.  Should you wish to keep the head in excellent shape for other purposes, please avoid using it in conjunction with chasing tools.

As always the Fretz Chasing Hammer features a handle of Padauk, a tough type of Rosewood.  It is not a pistol grip like traditional chasing hammers.

Fretz model: HMR-19
Head length: 65mm (2-1/3"")
Face #1: 27.5mm (1-1/16")
Face #2: 27.5mm (1-1/16")
Overall length: 250mm (10")
(Measurements are approximate)


Fretz Silversmith„¢s Hammers are unlike any hammers you have ever seen or held before. Only when a Fretz hammer is in your hand, can you fully appreciate or even believe the exquisiteness. With a Fretz hammer, form not only meets function, it meets beauty as well.

Master Silversmith Bill Fretz has designed hammers that are perfect for each step of the forming process; planishing, raising, embossing, riveting, forging. Each hammer has a similar feel making it easy to switch from one to another. Be careful though, once you have a Fretz hammer in your hand, you won„¢t want to put it down.