Unpopular opinion: My shop got a power hammer and some folks act like I cheated

I saved for years to buy a small power hammer for my forge. Now when I show pieces at meets, a couple guys always question how much hand shaping went into them. Truth is, it lets me focus on design and detailing, not just pounding metal all day. My mentor told me that skill is in the eye, not just the arm. I think being smart with tools is part of the craft, not a betrayal.

4 comments

4 Comments

tarar381mo ago

Wait, they actually gave you a hard time after you saved up for years? That's like being mad someone bought a car instead of walking everywhere.

flores.caleb1mo ago

Wait, they gave you grief after you saved for years? That's wild. Do they also get mad at people for using drills instead of hand-cranking augers? A tool is just a tool, it doesn't do the design work for you. Sounds like they're just salty you're making better stuff faster.

aaronl931mo ago

People get worked up over the dumbest things. Using a drill isn't cheating, it's just being smart. Saving for years to buy tools shows real commitment. Others getting salty says more about them than you. Probably not that big of a deal in the end. Just let people work how they want.

the_gavin1mo ago

People gave me the same grief years ago, Aaron. The noise stops when your work turns out better than theirs.