Choosing a Soft Faced Hammer

Nylon faces are useful when you want to move metal while keeping hammer marks to a minimum. Flat faces suit general straightening and forming, while domed and wedge shapes offer different contact areas for working curves and more localised shaping. A combination brass and nylon hammer gives you two striking materials in one tool.

Choose a face size that suits the area being worked. Smaller faces help you position each blow on narrow sections, while broader faces spread contact over a larger area. Keep the face clean and smooth, as grit or damage can transfer marks to the metal.

Supporting Your Work

Use a suitable ring or bezel mandrel when rounding and shaping rings and bezels, or a bench block for work that needs flat support.

For rawhide, plastic, wooden, rubber, brass and dead-blow options, browse our mallets. Replacement faces and handles for compatible models are listed under hammer spare parts; check the product details to match the part to your hammer.