The word "crosspeen" is spelled with two syllables: /ˈkrɔːspiːn/. The first syllable is pronounced with the vowel sound of "au" in "caught" and the consonant sound of "k". The second syllable is pronounced with the vowel sound of "ee" in "bee" and the consonant sound of "n". The term refers to a type of hammer whose peen is perpendicular to the handle, forming a right angle. The correct spelling of the word enables clear communication among those in the metalworking industry who use this tool.
Crosspeen, also known as cross-pain or cross-pein, is a specialized type of hammer that features a flat striking surface on one side and a tapered, pointed end on the other. The word "peen" refers to the end of a hammerhead opposite the striking surface. The crosspeen hammer derives its name from the characteristic cross-shape of its peen.
This type of hammer is primarily used in metalworking and blacksmithing applications. The flat side of the hammerhead is commonly used for driving nails or flattening metal surfaces. It provides a large surface area for striking, ensuring a more even distribution of force.
The crosspeen side of the hammerhead, on the other hand, is utilized for creating various specific shapes and forming metal. The tapered, pointed peen concentrates force into a smaller area, making it ideal for bending or shaping metal edges, or creating decorative patterns on the surface of the metal.
Crosspeen hammers are available in different sizes, with variations in overall length, handle material, and weight to suit different applications and user preferences. They are commonly used by blacksmiths, metalworkers, jewelers, and hobbyists to shape, sculpt, and manipulate metals into desired forms.
The balance and versatility of crosspeen hammers make them an essential tool in the metalworking industry, facilitating precise shaping and finishing of metal objects.
The word "crosspeen" is composed of two parts: "cross" and "peen".
The term "cross" comes from the Old English word "cros", derived from the Latin "crux", meaning "a wooden frame in the form of a cross". The word "cross" has been used to refer to the Christian symbol since the 10th century.
The term "peen" is derived from the Old English word "panne" or "pan", which means "a hammer", and can be traced back to the Old Frankish word "panna". It refers to the rounded, often flat, end opposite the striking face of a hammer.
Therefore, "crosspeen" combines these two elements, describing the shape of the end of a hammer that is perpendicular or transverse to the hammer's handle, like the horizontal bar of a cross.