this post was submitted on 30 Sep 2025
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You cant downplay hammer skills, though. There is almost no skill ceiling with hammers. Put any blacksmith up against an amateur, and you'll quickly see the difference between 30 seconds of training and 30 years.
I'll absolutely grant that hammering is a skill that can be improved upon and that a skilled hammerer is quite the thing to behold. I think of the times I've seen experienced blacksmiths banging away for hours with forearms that look like Popeye's, barely breaking a sweat. So yes, there's a skill tree to be developed.
That said... a lot of people seem to have an idea that using tools, or even more broadly the inherent strength of their own bodies, is somehow beyond their ability, and a lot of the time that's just beginners' jitters. Absent of a particular physical limitation, most people probably can learn how to effectively use a hammer (or a hand saw, or a screw gun, or a crow bar, or any number of useful items) within a couple minutes. It's our collective mistake for teaching people that they haven't got ready access to those skills and strengths.
The trick for hand saws is sharp blades and patience. Don't rush it. If you put it where you want it and have patience, most things practically cut themselves (save for something like a tree). If your blade is dull, you're more likely to make a mistake.
Light pressure, too. That one still gets me sometimes.