Hammer and Nail

4"x6" oil on raymar panel • Like many of my good tools, this hammer is a hand-me-down down from my father. My immediate clan tends to swing 16 oz. hammers. Yes, it is a lightweight hammer, but they fit well in our hobbit hands and my late father could drive 16 penny nails (that's about 3-1/2") all day with just one dead-on swing. Yes, there was a tap to start, but one swing to drive it home and set it. His ability and lack of hesitation with such a lightweight tool spoke of a different time, skill set, confidence, and a just-get-it-done attitude. The minimum Logan skill set used to be the ability to box and swing a hammer efficiently.  •  When I was a very young boy—to get me out from underfoot—he would give me an old coffee can filled with nails, a piece of scrap wood, and a hammer. I was just left to it and MAN, did I come out with some nasty black thumbnails. Maybe that is why, today, I often prefer screws to my Dad's nails. And I really, really don't want to talk about the boxing.
 
Posted November 21, 2013

sold • private collection los angeles, ca