How its Made: Hand-Hammered Copper
As part of this blog, occasionally we’ll let you in on a few secrets of our work. This is a breakdown of what is entailed in our hand-hammered copper, which we use on countertops, backsplashes, and range hoods.
The entire process begins with a set of customized hammers like this one. Although it may look like an implement of torture, this is actually a standard peening hammer, which we gave a bit of extra texture by melting a pattern onto the tip with some silver solder. These textures wear out fairly quickly when you’re working on a large job, so we typically start hammering with one pattern, then come back with a different texture head to give the surface the variety we look for in hand hammering.
This counter is very small, just a 24″ section for display, so we’re doing the whole thing with one pass:
An initial patina is applied while hammering the copper. While our patina process has several steps (which we’re not going to divulge just now) the basic step in any copper patina is a mist of liver of sulphur. Spray in on while hammering, let it puddle a bit in the low areas, then wipe it clean. Repeat, over and over, until the entire top is covered. You don’t want copper thats being used as a food prep surface to patina all the way to the green verdigris that copper will turn if anything stronger is applied, so the liver of sulphur deepens and darkens the natural copper tones for a warm look. The step-and-repeat process adds texture and depth to the changing colors.
Doesn’t seem too hard, huh? A small hammered copper counter is something a confident do-it-yourselfer should be able to do without much problem. Keep in mind, though, that we live to develop new finishes—I’m not going to divulge all of our patina secrets, but suffice it to say that there are ingredients and procedures that nobody else would think to try.
The final stage, once the desired patina has been achieved, is sealing the countertop. The basic ingredient here is wax—beeswax is ideal, and there are a number of formulations specially designed for sealing copper counters and sinks.
For an estimate or quote on a hammered copper project, give us a call. We’re always looking for chances to show off.
| Comments: 
2.25.09 at 8:05 pm
Hi. Thanks so much for sharing this awesome technique. I have been looking for somehting this nice and unique. This looks like the winner! I appreciate it, Malea