Soft Face Hammers

About Soft Face Hammers

Soft face hammers are specialist striking tools designed to deliver impact without damaging delicate surfaces, components, or workpieces. Unlike traditional steel hammers, these tools feature heads made from or fitted with softer materials such as copper, nylon, rawhide, plastic, or rubber. This unique construction allows tradespeople to apply force precisely where needed whilst protecting both the hammer and the item being struck from chipping, denting, or marring.

The range available at Tooled-Up.com includes several distinct types to suit different applications. Copper hammers offer excellent striking force with minimal rebound and won't create sparks, making them ideal for engineering and assembly work. Dead blow hammers contain internal shot or sand to eliminate bounce-back and reduce operator fatigue during repetitive tasks. Nylon and plastic faced hammers provide hard-wearing, non-marking impact suitable for woodworking and fitting applications, whilst rawhide hammers deliver a firm yet forgiving strike perfect for leatherwork, jewellery making, and precision assembly. Many professional models feature interchangeable faces, allowing one hammer to serve multiple purposes on the job site.

Quality soft face hammers from trusted brands like Thor, Draper, Expert by Facom, and Sealey combine durable construction with ergonomic design. Whether you're assembling machinery, fitting flooring, working with sheet metal, or carrying out automotive repairs, selecting the appropriate soft face hammer protects your materials whilst ensuring efficient, controlled striking force. The range at Tooled-Up includes models with wooden shafts for traditional balance and fibreglass handles for modern durability and vibration reduction.

Jargon Buster

• Dead Blow Hammer: A hollow-headed hammer partially filled with steel shot or sand that shifts upon impact to eliminate rebound and deliver maximum striking force without bounce-back. Particularly useful for repetitive assembly work and reducing user fatigue.
• Dual-Face or Combination Hammer: A hammer featuring two different striking materials on opposite ends of the head, such as copper on one side and rawhide on the other, providing versatility for different tasks without changing tools.
• Malleable Iron Head: The metal body of the hammer made from specially treated iron that can withstand repeated impacts without cracking or shattering, serving as the mounting structure for soft face inserts.
• Interchangeable Faces: Replaceable striking surfaces that screw or press into the hammer head, allowing worn faces to be renewed or different materials to be fitted for specific applications without replacing the entire tool.
• Non-Sparking: Materials such as copper, brass, or certain plastics that won't generate sparks when striking metal surfaces, essential for work in potentially explosive environments or around flammable materials.
• Split Head Design: A hammer head constructed in two halves that clamp around replaceable face inserts, typically found on higher-quality Thor hammers, facilitating easy face replacement and extended tool life.

Who Uses Soft Face Hammers?

• Engineers and Fitters: For machinery assembly, bearing installation, and component alignment without surface damage
• Automotive Mechanics: Panel beating, wheel trim fitting, and delicate component adjustment during vehicle repairs
• Joiners and Furniture Makers: Assembling joints, tapping dowels, and adjusting fitted components without marking timber
• Flooring Specialists: Tapping laminate and engineered wood flooring into position during installation
• Sheet Metal Workers: Forming and shaping metal without leaving hammer marks or dents
• Jewellers and Precision Craftspeople: Delicate metalwork and stone setting requiring controlled, non-damaging strikes
• Maintenance Engineers: General assembly and disassembly work across industrial and commercial settings
• Shopfitters and Carpenters: Installing trim, adjusting fittings, and positioning components during fit-out work
• DIY Enthusiasts: Home improvement projects requiring careful assembly of furniture, fixtures, and fittings

How to Choose the Right Soft Face Hammers

Face Material: Consider what you'll be striking most frequently. Copper faces suit engineering work and won't spark near flammable materials. Nylon offers durability for woodworking and general assembly. Rawhide provides a firm yet gentle strike ideal for precision work. Plastic faces work well for automotive trim and light assembly, whilst rubber or dead blow designs excel at repetitive tasks requiring minimal rebound.

Head Weight: Soft face hammers typically range from 250g for delicate work up to 1.5kg or more for heavier applications. Lighter hammers (250-450g) suit precision tasks and prolonged use, whilst heavier models (900g-1.5kg) deliver greater impact for flooring installation, panel work, and industrial assembly. Match the weight to your typical striking force requirements.

Handle Construction: Traditional wooden shafts provide excellent balance and tactile feedback, preferred by many craftspeople. Fibreglass handles offer superior durability, weather resistance, and effective vibration damping for repetitive use. Consider grip comfort, especially for extended periods of use, and whether the handle length provides adequate reach for your applications.

Single or Dual-Face Design: Combination hammers with different materials on each end (such as copper and rawhide) offer versatility without carrying multiple tools. Single-face designs or matched pairs suit specialists who predominantly work with one material type. Interchangeable face systems from brands like Thor and Expert by Facom provide maximum flexibility with renewable striking surfaces.

Quality and Brand: Professional-grade hammers from established manufacturers feature precisely balanced heads, securely fitted faces, and handles designed to withstand years of site use. Tooled-Up stocks trusted names including Thor, known for their split-head designs, along with Draper Expert, Sealey, and Expert by Facom, all offering reliable construction backed by manufacturer warranties.

Popular Accessories

• Replacement Hammer Faces: Spare nylon, copper, rawhide, and plastic faces to renew worn striking surfaces and extend tool life
• Tool Belts and Pouches: Convenient carrying solutions for keeping hammers accessible during assembly and fitting work
• Safety Glasses: Essential eye protection when striking metal components or working with small parts
• Work Gloves: Quality hand protection providing grip whilst reducing vibration and preventing blisters during extended use
• Engineer's Squares and Marking Tools: For precise positioning before striking components into place
• Assembly Mallets: Complementary tools for even lighter applications or larger surface areas
• Drift Punches: Used alongside soft face hammers for controlled component positioning and bearing installation
• Tool Storage Solutions: Organised storage systems from Milwaukee PACKOUT, DeWalt TSTAK, or Makita MakPac ranges

Safety Information

Always inspect soft face hammers before use, checking that striking faces are securely fitted without cracks, chips, or excessive wear. Loose or damaged faces can detach during use, creating a projectile hazard. Replace worn faces promptly to maintain tool effectiveness and safety. Examine handles for splits, cracks, or looseness where they join the head, as handle failure can cause loss of control during striking.

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment including safety glasses or goggles to protect against flying particles or component fragments. Work gloves reduce vibration transmission and improve grip security. When striking components, ensure your workpiece is adequately secured to prevent movement that could cause glancing blows or missed strikes.

Position yourself with stable footing and clear swing space, keeping other workers outside your striking radius. Never use a soft face hammer on hardened steel punches or chisels, as this can damage the soft face material. Avoid striking the hammer beyond its designed capacity—repeated overloading can cause face material to compress, crack, or detach. Follow HSE guidance on manual handling and repetitive strain, taking regular breaks during extended hammering tasks to prevent fatigue-related injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a soft face hammer and a rubber mallet?

Whilst both protect surfaces from damage, soft face hammers typically feature denser materials like nylon, copper, or rawhide fitted to a weighted metal head, delivering more concentrated striking force. Rubber mallets have larger, lighter heads suited to spreading impact over broader areas. Soft face hammers excel at precision assembly work, whilst mallets work better for positioning larger components like paving slabs or adjusting sheet materials.

Can I replace the faces on my soft face hammer?

Many quality soft face hammers feature interchangeable face designs, particularly models from Thor and Expert by Facom. These allow you to replace worn faces or switch between materials like nylon, copper, and rawhide as jobs require. Check your hammer's specifications—split-head designs and screw-fit faces are user-replaceable, whilst some economy models have permanently fitted faces requiring complete head replacement when worn.

Which soft face material should I choose for woodworking?

Nylon faces are most popular for woodworking as they're durable, non-marking, and provide sufficient force for tapping joints together and adjusting timber components. Plastic faces work well for lighter assembly, whilst rawhide offers a slightly softer strike ideal for delicate veneered surfaces or precision cabinet work. Many joiners keep a dual-face hammer with both nylon and rawhide to cover most timber-related tasks.

Do copper hammers really not spark?

Yes, copper is a non-sparking material because it's softer than ferrous metals, preventing the friction and fragmentation that creates sparks when steel strikes steel. This makes copper faced hammers essential for work in potentially explosive environments, around flammable vapours, or when working with combustible materials. However, always follow proper ATEX requirements and workplace safety protocols for hazardous environments.

How do I maintain my soft face hammer?

Regularly inspect striking faces for wear, compression, or damage, replacing them before they become too thin or cracked. Clean faces after use to remove debris that might transfer to delicate workpieces. Store hammers in dry conditions to prevent wooden handles from swelling or cracking and metal components from corroding. Occasionally check that faces remain securely fitted, tightening any threaded connections if present. With proper care, quality soft face hammers provide decades of reliable service.