I took American Hammer up on their offer (since expired) for any hammer (under 2lbs.) for $25 shipped. When I browsed their website I was like a kid in a candy store. Which metal? Which handle? Which weight? I’m not a machinist or metallurgist, just your average DIY’er and weekend mechanic kind of guy. The brass hammers intrigued me since I started making red oak dice with brass rod inserts for the divots. Finally I chose the 8 ounce brass hammer.

The hammer arrived well packaged and bubble wrapped in its own little black box. The hammer is just shy of 6 inches. It’s solid cast brass and weighs in at 9.3 ounces. The hammer is smooth with no rough edges. A nice polish finished it all up. The hammer feels good in the hand and is well balanced. I had no problems tapping in 1/4″ brass rod inserts on a new set of dice I’m working on.

As you can see in the photo, the brass hammer is a sight to behold. I almost want to display it on my desk at work. My only quibble is the plastic American name tag. Eventually the tag will probably fall off. I think it would be better if American Hammer had their name cast in the handle instead of the plastic tag.

Due to my honest review, Ted from American Hammer said that they were re-casting this hammer with American's name cast into the handles. Ted offered to send me a new hammer, gratis, when they were completed.

I've waited, patiently, over a year now, no new hammer, no word from Ted at American Hammer.

I still use and like my little 'un-named-because-the-tag-fell-off' brass hammer. I just wish Ted would have honored his promise.