Thor hide hammers have malleable Iron head fitted with two cylindrical faces of compressed buffalo hide on a wooden shaft. The malleable Iron head provides the weight for the blow and the hide faces absorb the shock whilst transferring the force to the item being struck without fear of damage. Ideal where a heavy blow is required combined with a relatively small striking area. These hide hammers have faces that are designed to wear and can be easily replaced as spare faces are available. They are used as a general-purpose soft-faced hammer in engineering for assembly, repair and maintenance. (No.4 size hammer has a slip-on handle - all other sizes have the usual wedge type handle fitted.)