This soft face copper hammer was part of an MG tookit and was a standard tool for removing the knock-off wheels. The car is long gone but the hammer is still as useful as ever, though the heads are well peened over. The panel says;
Made in England
Thor Hammer Company
Shirley Birmingham.
A quick google finds the company was formed in 1923, is still going and still a family business. Good to see. http://www.thorhammer.com/index.php
I contemplated replacing the heads but Thor advises, "While many customers do replace rawhide faces, used copper faces can be particularly difficult to remove. There are small grooves in the copper socket into which the copper spreads during use.
The copper we use is 99% pure and, being soft, will after considerable use, mushroom over the hammer head. Depending upon the application once the face is in this state the copper lasts almost indefinitely without further deformation.
Many customers find it more economical to use the copper end to destruction and then replace the complete hammer."
The copper we use is 99% pure and, being soft, will after considerable use, mushroom over the hammer head. Depending upon the application once the face is in this state the copper lasts almost indefinitely without further deformation.
Many customers find it more economical to use the copper end to destruction and then replace the complete hammer."
So, now we have truly seen the Hammer of Thor! Excellent.
ReplyDeleteThese knock-off hammers were just before my time, but I have seen many over the years. Interesting that they don't worry about the mushroomed head. I know that is a risk when one is hammering large pegs into the ground, since the mushroomed part (on the peg, in this case) can break off and inflict injury. I suppose the copper is much less risky in this aspect.
Bob the Citroen Guy