Bill Fretz knows hammers! Bill is often asked, "Bill, you have so many hammers to choose from. I can't afford to buy them all. What hammers should I buy for doing standard jewelry work, bracelets, pendants, rings and the like?"
The answer is this kit, the Fretz Master Jewelry Forming Set of 11, Fretz set HMR-M, made up of 8 mini line hammers, 2 chasing hammers and 1 goldsmith hammer, this selection of Fretz hammers will suit you fine for doing general purpose jewelry forming. It includes the very popular HMR-7 double ended insert hammer, and mini hammers HMR-1 thru HMR-5 to get you the hammers you see used in Bill's videos.
Fretz hammers are remarkable for two primary features:
The Handles
Fretz Rosewood Handles. Made from African Padauk, a type of Rosewood, the Fretz handle has a marvelous feel, smooth and perfectly balanced. Each weight of hammer has an appropriate sized handle, the heavier the head, the heavier the handle. The rosewood is usually a dark brown color although some handles will have a lighter color as Fretz will occasionally source a lighter shaded recycled Asian Padauk. No matter what the shade is, you won’t find a better handle on any hammer made today.
The Heads
Fretz 420 Stainless Steel Heads. Fretz casts the hammer heads in 420 stainless steel and then hardened to 50Rc. They are highly polished and available in a variety of shapes and profiles for every metalsmithing technique.
This kit includes:
- 137.189 Fretz HMR-21 Goldsmithing Hammer
- 137.190 Fretz HMR-20 Heavy Classic Chasing Hammer
- 137.191M Fretz HMR-20-M Medium Classic Chasing Hammer
- 137.201 Fretz HMR-1 Plainishing Hammer
- 137.202 Fretz HMR-2 Wide Raising Hammer
- 137.203 Fretz HMR-3 Narrow Raising Hammer
- 137.204 Fretz HMR-4 Large Embossing Hammer
- 137.205 Fretz HMR-5 Small Embossing Hammer
- 137.207 Fretz HMR-7 Mini Double Ended Insert Hammer W/9 Tips
- 137.208 Fretz HMR-8 Mini Rounded Narrow Raising Hammer
- 137.209 Fretz HMR-9 Mini Rounded Wide Raising Hammer
