MODERN BLACKSMITHING 37 



to the sledge, and under his left arm when the left 

 hand is nearer the sledge. In this unnatural position 

 it is next to impossible to strike hard and do it for any 

 time. This is another article imported free of duty, 

 but few Americans have been foolish enough to use 

 it. In this country the apprentice will be taught to 

 use the tools in a proper way. 



The end of the sledge-handle will be to one side ; at 

 the left, if the left hand is at the end of the handle, 

 and at the right if the right hand is at the end of the 

 handle ; and be down between his feet when the 

 handle's end must be low. The apprentice should 

 stand directly in front of the anvil. 



In swinging, the sledge should describe a circle 

 from the anvil close down to the helper's feet land up 

 over his head and down to the anvil; this is a perpen- 

 dicular circle blow. Be sure not to give it a horizon- 

 tal start ; that is, with one hand close to the sledge the 

 apprentice starts out either in the direction of the 

 horn or the butt end of the anvil, and then up while 

 both hands should clasp the extreme end of the handle 

 close together the sledge should be dropped down to 

 the feet then up. The hold taken should not be 

 changed, but the hands held in the same place. (See 

 figure 4.) 



For ordinary use a nine-pound sledge is heavy 

 enough, a large sledge will give a bump, while a small 

 one will give a quick good blow, it is only occasion- 

 ally and for special purposes a large sledge is needed, 

 even an eight-pound sledge will do. Try it, and you 

 will be surprised how nice it works. 



