In one of the post, using a copper hammer is recommended. Does anyone else still use a hide hammer
made from rolled up 1/4" (buffalo ?) hide ?
.W.

I'm sure I've got one somewhere amongst my 50+ collection.

Nothing like picking the right hammer for the job in hand.


Just some of my collection - my hide hammer seems to have gone AWOL.

Quote from: Wittsend on Mar 11, 2024, 10:12 AMI'm sure I've got one somewhere amongst my 50+ collection.

Nothing like picking the right hammer for the job in hand.


Just some of my collection - my hide hammer seems to have gone AWOL.

You can't pin that on me !
.W.

Yes, I absolutely pick up my hide hammer to whack something metal when I absolutely don't want to distort said item. It's copper on one face and hide on t'other.

I have my father's hide hammer from when he worked as a fabricator in the steel industry in Sheffield.  Just a roll of very solid hide on a hickory handle.

I used it on the wire wheel spinners on my TR2 (a long time ago!).

Ian F

Still readily available. Mine is copper one end and hide at the other. Both ends are replaceable which is handy.

Wouldn't be without mine, I have 2 and use them all the time. Non damaging and they have a little grip when they strike unlike my copper mallet.
I wouldn't use anything else on knock on wheel spinners.

Hide hammer?


I don't have to.

As soon as I put it down, it hides itself.



(Even the leather/copper one....)

One of my hammers has a hard rubber head.

Pretty much daily in my workshop; a no.2 hide and copper Thor mallet.

Thor copper/hide mallets are good but the idea that the ends are replacable is a difficult one as there is a special tool required to open/close the body for the insertion of new ends.

Thank you all for your replies. It appears that only Ian F, Ken and myself are still using an authentic hide hammer.
I acquired mine second hand in 79. Every 10 years or so it needs trimming with a rasp. I've got no idea what it's original size was.
.W.

Quote from: ZebraDriver on Mar 12, 2024, 10:23 AMThor copper/hide mallets are good but the idea that the ends are replacable is a difficult one as there is a special tool required to open/close the body for the insertion of new ends.

I think the implication from the company is that the tool is self made by the hammer owner. I'm chuffed they detail the replacement procedure.

The hide end of my Thor hammer always seems to outlast the copper end. As the manufacturer themselves suggest that replacing the copper end may not be cost effective, it does seem a lot of work, time and effort for a hammer you can pick up new for £30 - £40.

osborneleathertools.com. USA
buffalo hide, copper, nylon inserts for a split head mallet