What Is a Double-face Hammer?
A hammer is a general term for a tool that strikes an object and consists of a metal striking portion (head) and a hand-holding portion (handle).
A double-face hammer is a type of hammer with two striking surfaces.
The striking surface of a double-face hammer is flat on one side and curved with a slight bulge on the other side. There are different types of double-face hammers depending on the shape of the head, such as round, square, and octagonal hammers.
Double-face hammer is mainly used for nailing wood. However, it finds application in various fields, including ironworking, civil engineering, and demolition work.
How to Use Double-Face Hammers
Double-face hammers should be held about 3cm from the tip of the handle. If you hold it too close to the tip, it may fall out of your hand when working. If you hold it closer to the striking part, it will be harder to apply force to the striking surface, and your balance will be impaired.
If the double-face hammers are swung down with arm strength alone, control will be unsteady, and it will be difficult to strike the desired spot. Use the elbow as the fulcrum and strike in a rotating motion.
When using double-face hammers to drive nails, initiating the process with the flat side is advisable. Starting with the curved side from the outset can lead to slippage and instability. Begin by using the flat side to drive the nails approximately three-quarters of the way in. After that, use the curved side to finish the nailing, so that the surface of the wood is less likely to be marked by the hammering surface and can be finished neatly.
How to Select Double-Face Hammers
Double-face hammers come in various head sizes, weights, and shapes. It is important to select double-face hammers that are appropriate for the situation in which it will be used, such as nailing into wood, which requires delicate blows, or ironworking or civil engineering work, which requires powerful blows.
The standard weight of typical double-face hammers is 13 oz, but they are available in various sizes from 5 oz to 1.25 lb. The weight of the hammer, to some extent, determines the suitable size for the length of the nail to be nailed. Nailing is still possible with a hammer that is not the right size, but the ease of nailing will differ, so the size should be selected according to the length of the nail.
The most common shape of the head of double-face hammers is round, but an octagonal head is suitable for nailing work in a narrow space because the side of the octagonal head allows horizontal hammering. It is advisable to choose the shape in consideration of the working place and environment.
The handles of double-face hammers are often made of wood, but some are made of polypropylene or fiberglass. Some are also available with non-slip rubber grips. It is best to choose one that is easy to work with depending on the situation in which it is used.