Dulcimer Hammers
Custom-made Flexible Dulcimer Hammers
Your dulcimer is a work of art. Shouldn't your hammers also be objects of artistic beauty?
Firewood Treasures makes carefully crafted, flexible shaft dulcimer hammers. Because of their light weight and responsiveness, "Flexibles†" are the choice of many professionals. Our hammers are custom-built and are available in a variety of styles (single- and double-headed) and sizes (large and small). The small are ideal for standard spinet hammered dulcimers. The large are designed for concert grand hammered dulcimers.
Handles come in a several woods: spalted English walnut (our favorite), black cherry*, and hickory. Hickory provides a stiffer feel, cherry medium, and English walnut light (but still predictably responsive). Other woods can be requested. Handle length is 9 1/2".
The wood in the head varies with style. Single headed hammers have spalted dogwood** heads (very slightly heavier than hard maple). Double headed hammers use lighter weight wood, selected to be virtually the same overall weight as their single-headed dogwood cousins! We can also make a set from paulonia (Japanese princess tree) for those who want a really light-weight hammer. Paulonia is only slightly heavier than balsa, but much more durable.
Highly figured woods, like spalted English walnut and dogwood, lend a special uniqueness and beauty to these flexible dulcimer hammers.
Heads are either bare wood or covered in leather. Leathers can be chosen from thin and hard, to thick and soft. And the soft leather can be mounted with either the smooth (soft) or rough side (very soft) exposed.
All of our dulcimer hammers are matte finished with 3 coats of traditional, hand-rubbed tung oil varnish. This finish soaks in, so you get the feel of the natural wood, not that of plastic. Oil varnish finishes are highly durable, and easily restored if scratched. A light coat of hard paste wax can be added by the user, if extra sheen is desired.
Most commomly selected syles are in stock; however, a set can be custom-made*** to your specifications. Click on the appropriate "Add to Cart" button below for the general style. After you complete your payment, send us an email specifying the woods and leather you want.
Small single head (DH-S1) $20 Use this button for second or more items, any style->
Small double head (DH-S2) $30 Use this button for second or more items, any style->
Large single head (DH-L1) $22 Use this button for second or more items, any style->
Large double head (DH-L2) $33 Use this button for second or more items, any style->
[Insured, USPS Priority Mail shipping costs will be added. For the first item in your order, use the lefthand button. For all additional items in the same order, regardless of style, use the righthand button.]
Hammer Design Options (specify handle, head and leather in email)
Handle: spalted English walnut (EW), black cherry (BC), hickory (HI)
Head: dogwood (D), lightweight wood (L), paulownia (P)
Leather: none (N), hard (H), soft, smooth side out (SS), soft, rough side out (SR)
For example: For a small double-headed hammer with English walnut handle, lightweight wood head, one side covered in hard leather, the other in soft leather with smooth side out.
Include in the email: DH-S2: EW, L, H + SS
English Walnut Handles
(click to enlarge)
Maryland Wye Oak Hammers
(click to enlarge)[exhibit, not for sale]
EXAMPLES
Large single, English walnut/dogwood - bare
(DH-L1: EW, D, N)
Large double, English walnut/light wood- hard/soft (rough
out) (DH-L2: EW, L, H + SR)
Small single, cherry/dogwood - bare (DH-S1:
CH, D, N)
Small single, hickory/dogwood - hard (DH-S1:
HI, D, H)
Small double, English walnut/light wood- hard/soft (smooth
out) (DH-S2: EW, L, H + SS)
† Master dulcimer maker David Fletcher calls these "contra hammers."
* Firewood Treasures never stains its woods. So, our black cherry heartwood hammers start out light in color, and will develop the rich deep patina characteristic of cherry over time.
** Our spalted dogwood has a very unique spotted pattern.
*** If your design happens to be out of stock, allow 1 week for assembly and delivery of custom-designed hammers.