Hammers: Small Cross Peen and Upholstery Types

[honcho]

Saw the post on new Tekton german-made hammers and people asking about utility of cross-peen hammers. I picked up three small hammers recently, two are cross-peen and one is a G.W. Mount upholstery hammer. In trying to figure out the use case for cross-peen hammers, I did see that they're useful for metalwork. I also found information that cross-peen are useful for setting short nails/brads because you can use the cross-peen end to tap in the short fastener before finishing the nailing with the flat face.

There are lots of different hammer designs out there. Like many Americans that have done a bit of woodwork and mechanical repair on GJ, I'm mostly familiar with your typical carpentry claw hammers, framing hammers, tack hammers, sledge hammers, dead blow hammers, slide hammers, ball-peen hammers and machinist hammers. I know about geologist hammers and bricklayer hammers but haven't used either style. Then there's the whole category of soft face hammers and mallets. Are there any other types of hammers I haven't mentioned that you guys have found very useful to have around the house/garage?

 

[Dave455]

In many cases the “cross pein” is just a different pattern, perhaps more useful, perhaps not. The usual use is for working metal that you need to bend.

I have a couple of “ German pattern” hammers, with a square head together with cross pein, and must admit I find them quite useful. The balance is nice, and you can hammer right into a corner.

And in the U.K. the most common pattern of smaller woodworking hammer would be the “Warrington” pattern. Not really a cross pein, as the only function of the hammer back is to start pins and small nails.


They tend to come in lighter weights, up to typically 16oz, but are more common at about 8 oz. The balance of these tools is lovely, and I find lighter weight claw hammers to be very cumbersome by comparison.

In honesty, I couldn’t manage without one of these. I genuinely don’t know how you are supposed to start a panel pin without one.

 

[RTM]

also found information that cross-peen are useful for setting short nails/brads because you can use the cross-peen end to tap in the short fastener before finishing the nailing with the flat

Not really a cross pein, as the only function of the hammer back is to start pins and small nails.

as mentioned, I prefer the Warrington over a cross Pein for pins and brads. The longer taper may mean less damage to fingers, and I have a much wider variety of sizes in Warrington pattern

German pattern” hammers, with a square head together with cross pein, and must admit I find them quite useful.

These are better than cross Pein, but not as good as Warrington, again, similar reasons. Only have one of these, came really rusty.

 

[neophyte]

Saw the post on new Tekton german-made hammers and people asking about utility of cross-peen hammers. I picked up three small hammers recently, two are cross-peen and one is a G.W. Mount upholstery hammer. In trying to figure out the use case for cross-peen hammers, I did see that they're useful for metalwork. I also found information that cross-peen are useful for setting short nails/brads because you can use the cross-peen end to tap in the short fastener before finishing the nailing with the flat face.

There are lots of different hammer designs out there. Like many Americans that have done a bit of woodwork and mechanical repair on GJ, I'm mostly familiar with your typical carpentry claw hammers, framing hammers, tack hammers, sledge hammers, dead blow hammers, slide hammers, ball-peen hammers and machinist hammers. I know about geologist hammers and bricklayer hammers but haven't used either style. Then there's the whole category of soft face hammers and mallets. Are there any other types of hammers I haven't mentioned that you guys have found very useful to have around the house/garage?

The smaller hammers you have are still made by CS Osborne, in a number of sizes/weights, and Osborne refers to the hammers as “Riveting Hammers”. (CS Osborne model 57).
CS Osborne mostly makes specialist trade tools, focusing on leatherworking/cobbler tools, masonry tools, upholstery tools, and some metalworking tools like cold chisels.
I’m not sure what type of riveting the hammers were made for, or whether they just had that name applied at some point.

Riveting Hammer 57 - CS Osborne Leather Tools

Drop forged steel, highly polished head. Hickory Handle.

osborneleathertools.com

Other small cross peen hammers are sometimes called “tinner’s hammers” and nowadays, usually have a square face, although octagonal faces are also common.

 

[dscheidt]

The smaller hammers you have are still made by CS Osborne, in a number of sizes/weights, and Osborne refers to the hammers as “Riveting Hammers”. (CS Osborne model 57).
CS Osborne mostly makes specialist trade tools, focusing on leatherworking/cobbler tools, masonry tools, upholstery tools, and some metalworking tools like cold chisels.
I’m not sure what type of riveting the hammers were made for, or whether they just had that name applied at some point.

Riveting Hammer 57 - CS Osborne Leather Tools

Drop forged steel, highly polished head. Hickory Handle.

osborneleathertools.com

Other small cross peen hammers are sometimes called “tinner’s hammers” and nowadays, usually have a square face, although octagonal faces are also common.

Hammers like that osborne one are used to set soft copper split rivets used in leatherwork. They've got a shank that's split into two halves, which get bent over to secure the rivet. you can also use them to form the shop head of a solid or tubular copper rivet, but I think anyone really doing this uses a die these days.

 

[honcho]

CS Osboorne did pop up when I looked for information on the GW Mount hammer. I didn't look very far or perhaps I would have seen they had the small "cross-peen" style hammers in their catalog. I guess I'll put them with my rarely touched leatherworking tools.