Crucible Lump Hammer

The Crucible lump hammer has a 2.2 lb hardened steel head and is ideal for assembly, mortising, setting holdfasts and dozens of other chores. The octagonal hickory handle is comfortable and has a waxed finish.

The late furniture maker Alan Peters often said that one of his favourite tools was his "lump hammer", a British term for what Americans might call an engineer's hammer or small sledge. He used it for a remarkable range of operations, including knocking together dovetailed carcases and drawers. Unlike a wooden mallet, the lump hammer is compact, requires less effort and packs considerable punch when you need it, and you will never need to replace it.

For assembling dovetailed carcases and mortise-and-tenon frames it has no equal. Choke up on the handle for careful taps on delicate drawers, or grip it at the end for a wallop that persuades joints made too tight by the glue. It is delicate enough to strike wooden-handled chisels, and the weight of the head makes mortising easier: raise the hammer slightly and let the head drop on the chisel handle. It sets and releases holdfasts with one authoritative blow. The handle is shorter than on a typical sledge, making it ideal for woodworking; the octagonal handles are hand-finished and waxed.

Facts:
2.2 lb head of 4140 alloy steel, hardened and tempered to Rc 28-32
Overall weight 2.5 lb
Overall length 11-1/2"
Head 1-1/2" × 1-1/2" × 4"
Striking faces smooth-ground at a 5-1/2" radius and hand finished
Octagonal hickory handle, waxed
Designed by Raney Nelson
Made in the USA