Sledge Hammer Training Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Joe Price ~ The Vulcan Sledge Hammer Course

Posted on Tuesday, May 25th, 2021 by John Wood

Joe Price was a fantastic strongman who was also a blacksmith who we have covered before. Joe came up with a unique system of training utilizing a sledge hammer — the aptly named Vulcan Sledge Hammer course — and we were lucky enough to find a copy! At some point, we may post it in The Iron League but for the time being, you will find several methods of sledge hammer training covered in The John Wood Report.

The 25 Pound Sledge Hammer

Posted on Friday, March 25th, 2016 by John Wood

Ever seen a 25 pound sledge hammer? Now you can say ‘yes’ if someone else asks you that question. Note the thicker reinforced handle on this beast — needless to say, you can get a lot of force behind it. This hammer is used for levering and not for clobberin’ stuff — and it’s a good one. This hammer had to actually be imported from a foreign country. You won’t find one of these at a local hardware store, this hammer is not exactly “street legal.”

The Hammer Man’s Hammers

Posted on Friday, November 21st, 2014 by John Wood

Took this shot a few years back at a special dinner honoring Slim the Hammer Man. That’s Slim’s Challenge Ax on the left followed by his two sledge hammers with their distinctive markings on the handles and chromed weights. They are sitting on Slim’s special oak carrying case. If those hammers could talk I bet they could tell some stories…

Arthur Lancaster: The Man With The Grip of Iron

Posted on Monday, February 10th, 2014 by John Wood

Arthur Lancaster, of Brixton, England, desired to do something that had never been accomplished before, and on July, 4th, 1908, he accomplished his goal. It was on that date, at the Crystal Palace (London), that he swung an eight pound blacksmith’s hammer for twelve straight hours. It was supposed to be a contest of endurance against a Frenchman, but the latter did not keep his engagement, so the Englishman began his task alone (albeit, still in front of two judges.)

Lancaster swung the hammer with one hand during meal breaks and resumed two-handed swinging once finished. It was estimated that Lancaster “lifted” over 350 tons over the course of his hammer-swinging session. Unsurprisingly, Lancaster reported that his performance was as much a triumph mentally as physically. Thereafter, he was known as: “The Man With The Grip of Iron.”

Slim The Hammer Man

Posted on Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 by John Wood

Slim The Hammer Man

A rare shot of Slim The Hammer Man doing his thing on the streets of New York, circa the early 1970’s. During a visit to Slim’s place I had a chance to try these very same hammers without any added weight and couldn’t budge them an inch – Slim was (and is) the real deal. There’s more to “Strength” than just sets and reps. As a protege of The Mighty Atom Slim learned how to channel his mental energy into physical strength~ a pretty unique skill to have. No one else has even come close to The Hammer Man’s records so it’s safe to say this is a skill that few people are in possession of…

Stanless Steel

Posted on Thursday, August 18th, 2011 by John Wood

Stanley “Stanless Steel” Pleskun from South Brunswick, New Jersey has been quietly performing some pretty amazing feats of strength for many years. He can lift over 600 pounds with one finger, break chains, drive nails, lever sledge hammers and, incredibly, bend a penny with his bare hands. Stanless attributes his great strength to the ability to harness the power of his own mind.