Rawhide Hammer
Working with Common Hand Tools
Many people starting out in woodworking are bewildered by the amount of tools available both power and hand operated. The intension of this series is to concentrate on human powered hand tools and show their variations and differences. I’ll start off with the basic hand tools and move on to the more exotic. This month I’ll talk about two of the most basic hand tools, hammers and files.
Hammers
You would think that a hammer is a hammer is a hammer, but there seems to be almost as many types as there are jobs requiring one. For woodworking there are two main types of hammers, framing and claw. In metalworking and mechanics there are also two main types, ball pein and machinist or cross pein. Finally there are the specialty hammers, drilling, masonry, shingling, dead blow, rubber, etc. There are even more hammers out there, but this gives you an idea of what is available, their differences and what they are used for.
Woodworking Hammers
- The claw hammer is the most well known of any hammer. They commonly range in weight from 8oz up to 28oz. They have a standard driving head, which is either round or octagon and the claws have a sharp radius. The sharp radius of the claw hammer gives you higher leverage and allows you to pull nails easier. Claw hammers always have a smooth striking face, so they can be used for finishing work. If you only have one hammer, this should be the one.
- Framing hammers tend to be longer, heavier and the claw radius is shallower often called a ripping claw. Weight ranges usually from 16oz to 32oz. Framing hammers come with either a smooth or a milled striking face. The milled face digs into the head of the nail preventing the hammer from slipping off the nail. The straighter radius claw is heavier built for pulling larger framing nails. Many manufacturers are now designing their hammers with some form of shock absorption, to reduce the fatigue and injury caused by the repetitive blows.
Metal Working Hammers
- The most common metal working hammer is the ball pein. This hammer has a standard flat face and a semi-circular concave face called the pein. These hammers were designed for shaping metal and for setting iron rivets by peining over the edge.
- A cross pein or machinists hammer has a flat face, which is either square or octagon and a wedged shaped face. They are often used in blacksmithing where the wedge or cross pein face is used in shaping, cutting or folding the metal.
Specialty Hammers
- A drilling hammer is a single-handed sledgehammer usually with a shortened handle. These hammers are used to drill into rock and stone. The short handle makes it easier to swing and control the heavy head, up to 5 lbs, often in cramped quarters. They have two flat faces and are usually square.
- Prospector and bricklayer’s hammers are very similar to each other. Both have an elongated head with a square face on one side. The prospector’s hammer has a pick on the opposite end for digging and prying. The bricklayer’s hammer has a chisel edge for scoring and breaking bricks and masonry.
- Shingling hammers or hatchets have a square head with a milled face to make sure it doesn’t slip off the nail heads just as a framing hammer has. On the other end is a hatchet for splitting wooden shakes or shingles. Some have a basic hatchet face and others have a hatchet face with a series of holes and a bolt to set your reveal spacing.
- Dead blow hammers are made from a medium soft plastic and filled with lead. Instead of bouncing as a rubber hammer does, the movement of the lead causes the full force of the blow to be transferred to the material being struck. The plastic housing does not damage the material, but it is too soft for use on sharp metal. They can leave a mark on wood as the plastic rubs off. Weights range from 16oz to 48oz.
- Rubber hammers will have either a white or black rubber head and can be used as a dead blow with the addition of use on metal. They can leave a rubber mark, especially the black ones. Common weight range from 8oz to 32oz.
- Double-faced hammers have two faces usually of different softness’ of plastic or rubber combination. The caps can leave a mark from the plastic or rubber as it rubs off. Double faced are measured by the diameter of the face instead of by weight. Common sizes are from 20mm (3/4″) to 40mm (1-9/16″).
- Rawhide hammers are the precursors of the dead blow, rubber and double ended hammers and are used for the same purposes. They can be used on machined parts and they also have the added advantage of not leaving any kind of mark. Common weights from 8oz to 28oz.
- Brass or copper hammers. These hammers are normally used where a spark from a standard steel hammer could be dangerous or when tapping on machined parts. Common weight range from 8oz to 28oz.
- Tack/Upholsterer’s hammer. These hammers tend to have narrow faces, which can be square or round and usually have one magnetic tip to hold the tacks. Common weights from 5oz to 10oz.
Handles
- Wood. This is the traditional handle material and is still the most common. They are strong, light and easy to replace if they get damaged. There are also two styles of handle shape. The first is the standard shape we all know, the second is the axe handle shape but with a thinner cross section. No difference in functionality, mainly personal preference in grip comfort.
- Solid steel. Solid steel handles are very strong and rarely break, but they can bend. Either way, if they do you replace the entire hammer instead of just the handle. Normally these hammers will have a rubber or leather grip.
- Tubular steel. These handles are fine for light duty home use, but are just not strong enough for pulling nails or any kind of large project. If you try to pull out a 3-1/2″ nail with one of these, chances are you will bend the handle long before the nail is out. Usually equipped with a rubber or plastic grip.
- Fiberglass. These handle have many of the good features of the other materials. They are light, very strong, they do not rust or weather and if it does break you don’t have to replace the whole hammer. However, you will have to replace it with a wooden one, as you cannot get fiberglass replacement handles. Comes with a rubber grip.
Quick Hammer tip: Remember when buying a hammer with a wooden handle or getting a replacement handle, the grain should be running inline with the hammerhead. Cross grain handles will break much easier. Do not hammer with the side of the hammer. The casting is not thick enough to withstand blows and you will void any warranty. Don’t use the claws like an adze for chopping. They are not designed for it and will break, again no warranty.
Files
Files are not used as much as they once were and some of the terms are no longer familiar. Here is a great description from Nicholson Files, which explains the differences much better than I could.
Quick File tip: Take some common blackboard chalk and rub in into your file. This fills the grooves and prevents filings from loading up, but does not interfere with the cutting action. Clean and repeat as needed.
About the Author
Jim is a writer for Western Tool – a retailer of tools and tool parts including saw blades, circular saw blades, and band saw blades.
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Vintage Antique Rawhide Leather Roll Hammer 1.75″ Diameter Stike Face 10.5″ Long $0.99 |
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Garland 20 oz Rawhide Mallet Hammer Weighted Leather Hammer USA $5.00 |
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NO NAME SIZE SZ1 SPLIT-HEAD RAWHIDE HAMMER FACE INSERT 1-1/4″ FACE 1-3/16″LENGTH $5.00 |
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2 SETS OF RAWHIDE HAMMER FACES – 1 1/2″ & 2 3/4″ IN DIAMETER $7.99 |
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Garland Split-Head Hammer – Rawhide Faces – Size 0 $8.00 |
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Garland Split-Head Hammer – Rawhide Faces – Size 1 $9.00 |
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GARLAND # 3 RAWHIDE FACED HAMMER $9.99 |
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RAWHIDE MALLET 2″ FACE X 3.5″ LONG Hammer Oak Handle 12″ Long Mallet Overall $9.99 |
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VINTAGE RAWHIDE HAMMERS LOT OF 2 $9.99 |
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C.S.OSBORNE RAWHIDE HAMMER REPLACEMENT HEADS-NEW 1 3/4 INCH DIAMETER $9.99 |
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RAWHIDE HAMMER LOT $10.95 |
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Greene Tweed & Co. NO. 2 Split Head Rawhide Mallet BASA Leather Hammer USA $10.95 |
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Garland Split-Head Hammer – Rawhide Faces – Size 2 $12.00 |
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#0 Garland Rawhide Mallet 11000 Leathercraft Hammer $13.50 |
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REPLACEMENT RAWHIDE HIDE FACE FOR FOR LASER HAMMER 5134 $14.90 |
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metal working rawhide hammer ends soft blow double ended 2 inch 2 pieces USA $15.00 |
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Garland Split-Head Hammer – Rawhide Faces – Size 3 $16.00 |
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JEWELERS RAWHIDE MALLET HAMMER TOOL 1 1/4″ New $16.99 |
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Laser 5136 Hammers/Axes – Replacement Rawhide Face Tool Garage Auto $17.08 |
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1-1/4″ RAWHIDE HAMMER MALLET #1 FOR JEWELRY SHAPING SIZING WITH NO MARRING NEW! $17.50 |
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#2 Garland Rawhide Mallet 11002 Leathercraft Hammer $18.00 |
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Rawhide Mallet Metalsmith Stamping Hammer Jewelers1.2″ $18.99 |
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JEWELERS RAWHIDE MALLET HAMMER TOOL 1 1/4″ New $18.99 |
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CHICAGO RAWHIDE #2 RAWHIDE MALLET HAMMER Appr 1½” dia, 3¼” head length – NEW $18.99 |
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Jewelers Rawhide Leather Hammer / Mallet $19.00 |
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Garland Manufacturing Size 2 Rawhide Hammer Face $19.77 |
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Thor 8 Rawhide Hammer Size A $19.71 |
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1-1/2″ RAWHIDE HAMMER MALLET #2 FOR JEWELRY SHAPING SIZING WITH NO MARRING NEW! $19.90 |
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Set of 3 Garland Rawhide Mallets 4 oz 6 oz & 9 oz Leather Hammer USA $19.95 |
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4 NIB CR C/R 1″ RAWHIDE HAMMER FACE LOT 2-PAIR FITS # 0 HAMMER 650040 $19.99 |
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NEW Garland Rawhide Mallet 11003 Size #3 9 oz Leather Hammer MADE IN THE USA $19.99 |
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Hammers, SRW Rawhide Leather Headed Hammer 6 0z. $20.50 |
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Steel Ring Band Mandrel Stick & Rawhide Hammer Mallet $21.98 |
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Steel Ring Band Mandrel Stick & Rawhide Hammer Mallet $21.98 |
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STEEL RING BAND MANDREL SIZING STICK W/ RAWHIDE HAMMER $22.49 |
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Raw Hide Genuine Rawhide Mallet Hammer Non-Marring 14″ 16 oz $22.50 |
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Garland Manufacturing Size 3 Rawhide Hammer Face $23.49 |
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1-3/4″ RAWHIDE HAMMER MALLET #3 FOR JEWELRY SHAPING SIZING WITH NO MARRING NEW! $23.50 |
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RAWHIDE MALLET 1 1/4″ HEAD Hammer Pro Quality Jewelry Making Jeweler’s Tool $24.37 |
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4 NIB CR C/R 1-1/4″ RAWHIDE HAMMER FACE LOT 2-PAIR FITS # 1 HAMMER 650041 $24.99 |
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1″ DIAMETER SOFT FACE RAWHIDE RAW HIDE LEATHER MALLET HAMMER JEWELERS TOOL $24.99 |
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Garland Manufacturing Size 4 Rawhide Hammer Face $25.13 |
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USA RAWHIDE MALLET LEATHER HAMMER JEWELRY RING SIZING $25.80 |
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MALLET RAWHIDE 12 Oz. – MUST Have Jewelry Hammer $25.95 |
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Garland Mfg. Rawhide Hammer Size 4 $26.09 |
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Thor 10 Rawhide Hammer Size 1 $25.97 |
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LEATHER RAWHIDE HAMMER GARLAND 11004 2 INCH DIA HEAD $26.55 |
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Thor THO210 : 210 Copper / Rawhide Hammer Size 1 $26.00 |
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7″ Leather Rawhide Mallet Jewelry Beadsmith Hammer Tool $26.75 |
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7″ Leather Rawhide Mallet Jewelry Hammer – Jewelry Tool $26.75 |
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New 7″ Leather Rawhide Mallet Multi purpose Hammer Tool $26.75 |
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VINTAGE CHICAGO RAWHIDE HAMMER MACHINIST BLACKSMITH MECHANICS 36oz CAST LEATHER $27.57 |
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STEEL RING BAND MANDREL SIZING STICK W/ RAWHIDE HAMMER $27.89 |
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Thor THO10 : 10 Rawhide Hammer Size 1 $27.30 |
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Leather Rawhide Mallet Jewelry Silversmith Hammer Tool $28.75 |
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11″ Leather Rawhide Mallet Multi purpose Hammer Tool $28.75 |
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11″ Leather Rawhide Mallet Jewelry Hammer Jewelry Tool $28.75 |
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11″ Leather Rawhide Mallet Jewelry Metalsmith Hammer $28.75 |
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Thor Trade Quality No.1 Copper and Rawhide Faced Hammer Mallet HM129 $29.01 |
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MED 9 oz Buffalo RAWHIDE MALLET 3300-03 Tandy Leather Hammer Tooling Hand Tool $29.95 |
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Rawhide Mallet Metalsmith Stamping Hammer Jewelers1.75″ $29.99 |
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Rawhide Mallet Hammer Metal Shaping Forming Wire Jewelry Art Craft $29.99 |
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GARLAND No. 1 Cast Iron Hammer Rawhide Faces 1-1/4″ $30.00 |
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Stamping Hammer1.75″,Rawhide Mallet Metalsmith Jewelers $30.00 |
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Thor 212 Copper / Rawhide Hammer Size 2 $30.30 |
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THOR No1 copper and rawhide faced hammer / mallet TE401 $30.97 |
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2pc Wooden Dapping Block Rawhide Jewelry Mallet Hammer $31.99 |
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Rawhide Mallet Hammer and Wood Doming Dapping Block Set $31.99 |
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Wooden Doming Dapping Block Punch Set Rawhide Hammer 2p $31.99 |
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LARGE Buffalo RAWHIDE MALLET 3300-04 Tandy Leather Hammer Tooling Hand Tool $32.35 |
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HAMMER MALLET SET Leather Rawhide NYLON DELRIN #2 1 1/2 $32.80 |
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Thor THO12 : 12 Rawhide Hammer Size 2 $32.04 |
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Antique Primitive Danco Metal Jacket Raw Hide Mallet Hammer Tool $32.99 |
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DRAPER EXPERT 680g (24oz) COPPER/RAWHIDE FACED HAMMER $32.98 |
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Jeweler’s Rawhide Hammer for Metal Shaping $33.99 |
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ANTIQUE VINTAGE OLD ROLLED RAWHIDE LEATHER MALLET MAUL HAMMER WITH WOOD HANDLE $34.95 |
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8 NEW CR C/R 1″ RAWHIDE HAMMER FACE LOT 4-PAIR FITS # 0 HAMMER 650040 $34.99 |
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Vintage Antique Greene Tweed & Co. Basa Hammer No. 2 Wooden Handle with Rawhide $34.99 |
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Mazbot Leather Rawhide Nylon Head Jewelry Hammer Mallet $34.99 |
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Mazbot Leather Rawhide Mallet Nylon Head Hammer 2p SET $34.99 |
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Mazbot Jewelry Planishing Nylon Rawhide Hammer Mallet $34.99 |
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2″ DIAMETER RAWHIDE LEATHER MALLET SOFT FACE RAW HIDE HAMMER JEWELERS TOOL $34.99 |
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Rawhide Split-Head Hammer 1-1/4″ Face Diameter – Size 1 $34.99 |
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Thor 14 Rawhide Hammer Size 3 $36.77 |
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MAY SALE! COPPER & RAWHIDE HIDE HAMMER * BRITISH MADE * 1Kg $37.29 |
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Thor No.2 Copper and Rawhide Faced Hammer Mallet HM130 $36.85 |
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Garland Split-Head Hammer – Rawhide Faces – Size 5 $38.00 |
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Thor 214 Copper / Rawhide Hammer Size 3 $38.26 |
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COPPER & RAWHIDE HIDE HAMMER * BRITISH MADE * 1Kg $38.89 |
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Garland Mfg Hammer Faces -size 5 rawhide hammer face 21005 $39.30 |
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Garland Mfg Solid-Head Hammers -size 1 solid-head rawhide hammer 1-1/4″ face $39.30 |
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laser 5134 Copper & Rawhide Hammer $38.97 |
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Rawhide Mallet Metalsmith Stamping Hammer Jewelers 2″ $39.99 |
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Vintage Chicago Rawhide 16″ Mallet / Blacksmith Hammer $39.99 |
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3″ DIA RAW HIDE LEATHER MALLET RAWHIDE SOFT FACE HAMMER JEWELERS TOOL $39.99 |
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Thor 2 Copper & Rawhide Hammer/Mallet TE351 $39.99 |
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Rawhide Mallet Hammer Jewelers Metalsmith Stamping 1.5″ $41.99 |
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6oz Leather craft rawhide Jewelers Hammer mallet $41.99 |
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Mallet Rawhide Metalsmith Stamping Hammer,Jewelers,2″ $42.75 |
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Rawhide Mallet Metalsmith Stamping Hammer Jewelers 2″ $42.99 |
