A hammer needs to fit your hand like a glove. Well, almost. When you are using a quality hammer that is balanced correctly that easily gives the results you want, it is pure heaven. My favorite hammer to flatten and shape wire is a master quality ball peen hammer (pictured below). The round end of the ball peen hammer is used to texture the wire. I have tried expensive planishing hammers, but they seem to leave marks on the wire. A good quality chasing hammer with a convex face can also be used. They are kind of hard to find though. The less expensive models get marks on the face of the hammer which in turn leave marks on the wire.

The riveting hammer (pictured below) is a lovely tool that will make riveting a joy. It is lightweight and will make the most cheerful little tapping sounds.

Mallets come in different sizes and are made from varying materials. The plastic mallet in the photo (pictured below) has a .75 inch face that directs a solid blow to the wire. Why use a plastic mallet? To straighten and shape the wire without flattening it. The plastic mallet is also used to harden wire.

Another type of mallet is the rawhide mallet (pictured below). It straightens and shapes without flattening wire, sheet metal. The face is 1.5 inches and is particularly useful in working with sheet metal. How did I get the curve in this cuff?, by striking the metal on a bracelet mandrel with the rawhide mallet. I also annealed the metal which is a whole other story.

The final mallet weighs 2 pounds and is made of brass (pictured below). Why use such a heavy tool? It is the perfect instrument for stamping with design stamps. The heavy blow assures a deep enough impression in the sheet metal. This is a good work out but if you have shoulder problems you may consider something a little less hefty.

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