Old tools are a fascination for practically anyone who loves working on stuff. Old tools have an aura because they are direct extensions of the humans that used them. Whether we are talking about the hammer your grandfather had, a set of precision machining tools that a mentor handed down to you, or something like the literally ancient drop hammer used in this video, they all have that special meaning.

This video was made at the shop of Sepp Eybl in Ybbsitz Austria. Sepp is an artist and an instructor of metal working that works out of a very, very old shop. The whole region where he was located was a hotbed for blacksmithing and iron work for many, many years until the ore was all mined out. The hammer you will see him use is estimated to be 200-300 years old. The large beam with its iron straps to keep it from breaking is just incredible.

Originally powered by water, it uses electricity to turn the flywheel which then trips the hammer arm, sending it crashing down on the anvil where Sepp is waiting and working with his material. The fact that stuff like this still exists and gets used is so neat, we can hardly stand it.

Lastly, this shop looks like it is 300 years old on the inside. It is very clear why Vulcan was the God of the blacksmiths thousands of years ago. The darkened, hellish, sweltering environment was a place that few could thrive in, but those that did literally forged the world around them.

Press play below to see this ancient drop hammer put to good use!