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

  • Setting Up a Hammer

    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

    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

    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…

    Read More


Further Reading

To read more on chisels, we recommend the following from Paul’s blog:

Hammers For Chisels- Many Choices

Buying Good Tools Cheap- On Chisel Hammers

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9 Comments

  1. 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

  2. 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.

  3. 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!!

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