Buying a Chisel Hammer
Called a chisel hammer by Paul Sellers, when being sold they can be listed as a ‘nylon hammer’, ‘assembly hammer’ or even a ‘soft-faced hammer’. Paul Sellers prefers a nylon faced hammer, (31-712R Thorex Nylon Hammer) his preferred size is is a 1 ½” (38mm). The head of the hammer is made from steel which has a thread on each end to allow you to interchange the heads between rubber, nylon and plastic. If you have a similar model with a nylon handle, Paul sellers recommends shaping this with a spokeshave to make it more comfortable. You can buy replacements head faces for when the heads get damaged/wear down.
To view the parts of chisel hammer, click here.
🇬🇧 We purchased this 31-712R Thorex Nylon Hammer directly from the Thor website for £18.78* (£5.45 delivery) in November 2017.
🇺🇸 If you are ordering from the US, we recommend getting it from Amazon. You can also buy the replacement heads.
*Price checked October 2022
Relevant Guides
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Setting Up a Hammer
Note: This guide is on both chisel hammers and warrington hammers. Paul recommends scraping off the varnish from the handle when you get a new wooden-handled hammer and he recommends adding 4 coats of boiled linseed oil over a few days. This finish will ensure the hammer handle keeps in great condition and lasts a long…
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Using a Chisel Hammer
To get the most from your hammer, you need to get the weight and balance ratio right. The Centre of Percussion (COP) is the optimum point on the hammer face that allows the best transfer of energy into whatever you are striking. With smaller hammers there is little you can do to take advantage of…
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Buying a Chisel Hammer
Called a chisel hammer by Paul Sellers, when being sold they can be listed as a ‘nylon hammer’, ‘assembly hammer’ or even a ‘soft-faced hammer’. Paul Sellers prefers a nylon faced hammer, (31-712R Thorex Nylon Hammer) his preferred size is is a 1 ½” (38mm). The head of the hammer is made from steel which has…
Further Reading
To read more on chisels, we recommend the following from Paul’s blog:
Thor hammer – albeit with 2 nylon face & wooden handle (model: 12-712N = 20oz/38mm) – cheaper here at zoro.co.uk, that’s what I bought, using Paul’s posts & videos for guidance, and have no complaints:
https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/hand-tools/faced-and-dead-blow-hammers/wood-shaft-hard-faced-hammers/f/13322
Images show nylon handles but, fear not, the description is correct – mine came with a nice wooden handle 🙂
https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/hand-tools/faced-and-dead-blow-hammers/wood-shaft-20oz-hard-faced-hammer/p/ZT1007626X
Hi Tone,
Thanks for sharing!
Izzy
HI folks, I have a couple of questions. Does Paul have a recommended use for the grey “rubber” end of the hammer? I ask because the hammer is sold with both ends nylon as well as those with one nylon and one rubber end as in your picture. I could get the double nylon if he does not see a use for the rubber end.
Thanks for the guides.
Hi John,
Pauls says:
The grey rubber end is the soft face, used generally for a non marring tip for assembly.
Kind Regards,
Izzy
Thanks
I bought a soft face hammer when I started building my work bench, but in my beginner ignorance bought one that only weighs 225grams. Chiselling out the housings for the legs of the bench was a very difficult job with such a light tool. I have just bought the heavier Thor hammer at 650 grams. What a difference!!
I bought a rawhide hammer from http://www.garlandmfg.com/mallets/products.html
It is from the State of Maine in the USA. It is a good if lightweight mallet and sturdy.
If there are any Canadians in the group I found a page that distributes the Thorex hammer. http://www.northwestpassagetools.com I’m not associated with them just stumbled on them online. I’m in Saskatchewan, Canada and its usually difficult to get things here even with Amazon. We do have a Lee Valley store here however for Veritas products.
Hi Folks,
I have a Craftsman 12 ounce yellow and red tip hammer similar or perhaps the same which I notice in you book page 456. Do
you find them as good for chisel work using the yellow end?
Many Thanks,
Stephen