>Are you sure you strike the iron with the wedged end? I have this vague
>recollection of watching someone use such a device but the wedge is placed
against
>the iron and the other end is struck with another hammer. that would explain
why
>the handle isn't very substantial, it wouldn't need to be if it were used in
this
>way.

Absolutely.  What you say is correct.  I didn't word it right in my posting.
The wedge-shaped hammer is stationary and struck with a slightly bigger hammer
that looks more like a sledge.  You wouldn't have much accuracy if you swung
the wedge.  Unforturnately I don't know the names of the different hammers.
The tools were always in the cellar or garage when I was a kid.  I've seen
blacksmithing, but I've never done it myself.

Erik von Sneidern