Metalsmithing Hammer Use Guide: Steel vs. Brass

✅ Steel Hammer — When to Use

• Purpose: Used when you need precision force or when working directly with metal that can withstand a harder impact.

• Common Uses:

  • Forming & Texturing: Ideal for shaping metal (e.g., doming, raising, forging).

  • Texturing Tools: Used with metal stamps or texturing tools on steel blocks.

  • Flattening: Excellent for flattening wire or sheet metal.

  • Planishing: Used to smooth metal after forming (with a polished face).

• Surface Compatibility:

  • Always used on a steel block or anvil.

  • Suitable for non-ferrous metals (copper, brass, silver, gold) but can leave marks if the face isn't polished.

• Caution:

  • Avoid using on delicate or finished pieces — can cause unwanted marks or dents.

  • Never strike steel tools (like chasing tools or stamps) with a steel hammer — risk of chipping tools.

✅ Brass Hammer — When to Use

• Purpose: Used when you need force without damaging tools or delicate surfaces.

• Common Uses:

  • Tool Striking: Perfect for striking steel tools such as:

    • Metal stamps

    • Chasing tools

    • Center punches

  • Assembly Work: Tapping mandrels, dapping punches, bezel setting tools without damaging them.

  • Adjustments: Useful when adjusting or bending pieces gently without leaving heavy marks.

• Surface Compatibility:

  • Can be used on steel surfaces (blocks, mandrels) without damaging them.

  • Softer than steel so it reduces rebound and reduces risk of chipping tools.

• Caution:

  • Not suitable for shaping metal directly — brass is softer and will mushroom or deform over time.

  • Not for texturing or planishing metal sheets.

⚡ Quick Rule of Thumb

Situation	Use Steel Hammer	Use Brass Hammer
Shaping/Flattening Metal	✅	❌
Texturing Directly on Metal	✅	❌
Striking Steel Tools	❌	✅
Working on Steel Surfaces	✅	✅
Assembly / Adjustments	❌	✅
Avoiding Marks	❌	✅