Best Leather Hammers for Leather Working

Hammering leather, and tools, is a core element to leather craft. Having the right leather hammer for each job will make it so easy and the result look great. Some recommendations include paid links to products that I trust.

The WUTA Carbon Steel Double Head Leather Hammer is a quality tool, click here to see it on Amazon. It is 15 ounces, has a hickory handle, 1.5″ round striking face, and 1.14″ square striking face. This is a very solid tool made by a respected manufacturer.

Let’s explore the different types of hammers, and which might work best based on project types and personal preferences.

Types of Leather Hammers

There are almost two dozen unique types of hammers for leather working. Most of them are specialized (for things like saddlery, shoemaking, and other tasks), though in general a basic hammer will work for most leather tool striking needs.

Leather Working Tap-Off Hammer - Liberty Leather Goods — Leather Working Tap-Off Hammer – Liberty Leather Goods

Hammers that have a strong steel head generally work very well. The weight of the hammer is important too; heavier hammers produce more striking force, though are heavier to swing. Lighter hammers are easier to handle, though produce less striking force. This can be just fine when hitting tools though lighter leathers.

Leather Working Shoe Hammer - Liberty Leather Goods — Leather Working Shoe Hammer

Best Leather Hammers

A great hammer comes down very much to personal preference. Desire for balance in the hand and striking force are usually unique to each crafter. Once finding a nice hammer, it’s usually a staple in the shop for years. Here are some of the best:

Leather Working Fitting Hammer - Liberty Leather Goods — Leather Working Fitting Hammer

General

Wuta makes a Carbon Steel Double Head Leather Hammer that is a high-quality tool, click here to see it on Amazon. It has a beautiful hickory handle, 15ounce overall weight, a 1.5″ round striking face, and 1.14″ square striking face. The dual striking faces is a very nice feature. Wuta is also known for making reliable tools.

Soft-Tip

Gearwrench makes a Soft Face Hammer with replaceable tips, click here to see it on Amazon. It has a comfort grip handle, 12 ounce overall weight, and the tips easily screw into and out of place. For one looking for a replaceable tip option, this is a solid choice.

Premium

Vergez Blanchard makes a Mallet/Hammer in 12oz weight with Soft Tips that is a hammer, click here to see it on Rocky Mountain Leather. It is about 11″ long with a 4″ wide head and replaceable urethane tips. This is a very handy tool.

Saddler/Harness Hammer

Vergez Blanchard makes a Saddler Hammer in several sizes, click here to see it on Rocky Mountain Leather. It is available in 9oz and 10oz options, made of high-quality steel, and a head striking face of just under 1″. With proper care, this can be a staple tool in the shop.

In Closing

Hammers are a classic and fun tool to have around the shop. Finding the right one can make it quite enjoyable to use for daily work, and the creation of some really great leather items and goods.