# Jeweler's hammers and mallets

> Jeweler's hammers (ball, planishing, chasing, flat-faced) and rawhide or nylon mallets are used to forge, texture and shape without marking.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelers-hammers-and-mallets/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-09-23
- Updated: 2026-10-04
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/martillos-y-mazos-de-joyeria/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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A jeweler uses several small, precise hammers, each with its own purpose: shaping, smoothing, hardening or decorating.

![Six jeweler's hammers and mallets with the shape of their heads](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/hammer-types.en.svg "Hammers and mallets: head and use")

## Types

- **Flat, polished face:** planishing and smoothing.
- **Ball:** textures and expanding metal.
- **Chasing:** for repoussé.
- **Riveting and silversmith hammers.**
- **Rawhide, nylon or wood mallets:** shape without marking.

## Care

Keep faces polished and free of pits: they transfer to the metal. Store them separately.

## Handle

It should be comfortable and well fitted. A loose hammer is dangerous.

## Use

See [forging and hammering](https://www.711grados.com/en/forging-and-hammering/) and [chasing and repoussé](https://www.711grados.com/en/chasing-and-repousse/).

## Which hammer for each job

- **Planishing (smoothing):** flat polished-face hammer on a steel block.
- **Texturing:** ball-peen or ridged-face hammer.
- **Shaping without marking:** rawhide, nylon or wooden mallet.
- **Chasing and repoussé:** chasing hammer with punches.
- **Riveting:** silversmith or riveting hammer.

## How to strike

Hold the hammer toward the end of the handle, strike with the wrist and forearm rather than the shoulder, and keep the face **parallel** to the surface so as not to leave edge marks. Always rest the piece on a hard, clean base ([anvil or steel block](https://www.711grados.com/en/anvil-steel-block-and-stakes/)).

## Work hardening

Hammering hardens the metal (work hardening). If it starts to crack or becomes hard to work, it must be [annealed](https://www.711grados.com/en/annealing-metal/) before continuing.

## Care

Faces must be polished: a pit transfers to the metal. Store them apart and never strike hardened steel with them.

## See also

- [Forging and hammering metal](https://www.711grados.com/en/forging-and-hammering/)
- [Chasing and repoussé](https://www.711grados.com/en/chasing-and-repousse/)
- [Anvil, steel block and stakes](https://www.711grados.com/en/anvil-steel-block-and-stakes/)