Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 9.djvu/31

Rh The men of the Stone age early perceived the advantage of having a handle of some kind for their mauls, and doubtless their first expedient consisted in lashing withes around such mauls as were found suitable, as the blacksmith at the present day lashes withes round the heads of his cutting and punching tools and swages. Evidences of a further advance toward a perfect hammer are to be seen in stone mauls with holes through them suitable for handles; and these holes are in some instances coned, and as well adapted for hammer-handles as the best-made metal tools of our day.



Before inquiring into the reasons which may have led to the adoption of the various materials and forms of hammers now in use, it will be well to consider the hammer in, and of, and by itself. We are so apt to look upon it as a rude implement, necessarily associated with a superior class of finishing-tools, that the materials, forms, and scientific principles involved in its construction and use, not only as an adjunct to other tools, but as a sole independent and final tool, are much over-looked.

In some handicrafts, and those too involving a high class of finished work, the hammer is the only tool employed. That great artistic