My previous posting was maybe little misunderstood by some readers.

I wrote:

> Some other point to note here is that the energy transmitted from
> the hammer to the string is constant, flex or no flex of shank,
> because the moving mass does not change.  I therefore say that it
> will not influence the volume of sound at all if the shank bends a
> little or not.

I know the shank does flex, and I also know about the treble striking
point.

I repeat the above: the energy in the moving hammer and shank is
constant and therefore the [sound] _volume_ will be constant if the
striking point is the same, flex or not.  I am not referring to
striking point here.  This point will influence the efficiency of the
energy converted from the hammer to string vibrations, harmonics etc.
Striking point is a different topic altogether and if the point is
constant, the sound will stay constant, flexing of shank or not.

I also agree with Ray Fairfield to say that we cannot compare the
hammer and shank with a golf club.  I will maintain my original theory
of the ice skater.

Regards,

Bernt W. Damm (Design Engineer)
Prism Payment Technologies
Cape Town, South Africa
E-Mail berntd@ct.prismtech.co.za