The Sterling Plane Hammer is finely manufactured in the USA from Brass Alloy, Stainless Steel and North American Black Walnut (juglans nigra), when properly used and taken care of it will provide many years of service. PLEASE CLICK ON THE STORE TAB IN THE MENU ABOVE TO PURCHASE
The Sterling Plane Hammer is finely manufactured in the USA from Brass Alloy, Stainless Steel and North American Black Walnut (juglans nigra), when properly used and taken care of it will provide many years of service. The Hammer has two faces for use, the brass face is used to adjust plane blades without damaging the blade. The wooden face is used to set the wooden wedge in your wooden planes that lock the position of your blade with minimum marking of your wooden wedge or plane. The “soft” face is a replaceable “spud” that is screwed onto a 5/16”- 18 TPI treaded screw in the hammer head. Over 9 years we have sold thousands of hammers and the we have only learned of 1 failure. As such the black nylon is very resilient and provides excellent wear and feedback. As an option (while they last) one can add the resin infused spud. These “soft” faces can be replaced with another spud from Sterling Tool Works or with one made by the owner of the hammer. New For 2023 the Black Walnut handle has been upgraded to an oval shape.
This oval shape is achieved by multi axis hand turning on a lathe, These handles are still attached to the hammerhead by pressing the handle into the head and then a cross pinned. The Handle and spud are lightly treated with sanding sealer after they are turned to provide some protection but give the handle a very tactile feel. The Sterling Plane Hammer (PH-3) is now available for shipment for $140 plus shipping and handling, the PH-3 includes the installed Black Nylon spud that many sawyers also for use to tension your saw blade. Additional resin infused wooden spuds or replacement Black Nylon can also be purchased.
The Sterling Plane Hammer was designed for its intended use; adjusting the blades in hand planes. It is NOT intended to be used as; a joinery mallet, drive nails, or for intense striking of other objects. The brass head of the Plane Hammer will age and develop a nice patina with use and exposure to the atmosphere. Should you wish to see the brass gleam like new, you may use a non-abrasive brass cleaner to remove the patina. The Sunshine© cloth is a cloth treated with an agent that cleans brass, some customers report positive results with its careful use.
Copyright © Sterling Tool Works LLC 2013-2023
I picked up the smaller plane hammer with the oval handle at Handworks 2023. I just recently started using wooden planes that require a little hammer like this. I had been thinking I would just make my own small mallet. I was not gong to pay for a premium hammer. It was the final hours of Handworks and I had already made a few too many purchases. Then, I walked back to the Sterling Toolworks booth…pulled, essentially, by gravitational forces I could not resist. I picked up the hammer…its oval shape contours to my hand in a way that makes it immediately feel like an extension of my body. Next thing I know, my credit card, already sore for overuse, is making one final trip across a counter for the weekend. So happy to have this in my kit. It’s perfectly designed; works wonderfully; and it’s handsome too. Thanks for another great tool, Chris!
Thank you Adam for the kind words, I remember meeting you in Frederick Maryland at one of my first shows when I launched Sterling Tool Works. We appreciate the continued support!
-Chris
I’ve been using wooden smoothers and molding planes for years. I’ve also had my eye on the Sterling Tool Works plane hammer since it first came out. While I thought it was a beautiful tool, I always considered it a luxury item. I “almost” bought it a number of times. Each time I talked myself out of the purchase; “why should I pay over $100 for a plane adjustment hammer when I can do just as well with a small brass hammer and a wooden mallet”? I finally pulled the trigger and bought one as a birthday present to myself. I expected to get a beautiful finely crafted tool and I was not disappointed; this tool is gorgeous! What I didn’t expect, however, was how much difference the plane hammer would make in my work. By using only one tool to make adjustments, I found that I didn’t need to “think” about adjusting my planes; I could just focus completely on my work. After one woodworking session, I would not want to live without this plane! If you regularly use wooden planes in your woodworking, I highly recommend you buy this hammer. It has greatly enhanced my woodworking experience. My only regret is that I waited so long to buy one.
Jesse,
It’s testimonials like yours that delight us and keep us making tools! We miss attending more woodworking shows to get our tools in peoples hands, but your words help others that haven’t had the tools in their hands or been able to use them make the choice sooner!
Thank you so much for your post and support!
Chris
Hi Chris
I am blown away by the quality of this hammer. It is the envy of many of my fellow woodworkers. Thank you for making such a quality product.
Cheers
Paul
Australia
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I just received my new plane hammer, and I couldn’t be happier with it. I recently picked up my first wood body plane, a Clark and Williams try plane that was part of a tool sale that Chris Schwarz hosted at Lost Art Press. After some research into options, I opted to purchase the Sterling Plane Hammer, othing pleases me more than a well-made tool, and this one is really fantastic. I was able to use it to set my plane right on the first go; the hammer feels great in the hand and works very well. I expect to get many, many years of service from it. Thanks for putting in the effort and care to make a great product, it is very appreciated.
Jack Evans
Jack,
Thank you so much for your comment and purchase. Your feedback keeps me motivated as I really enjoy enabling craftspeople to make beautiful things.
Cheers,
Chris
Finally! Chris Kuehn, owner and head elf at Sterling Tool Works has come up with what I consider to be the best plane hammer that I’ve ever used. Until now I was pretty happy with a small brass hammer and a walnut mallet to adjust my planes with. The downside for me was that I needed two tools to adjust my planes. With the Sterling Tool Works new plane hammer I now only need the one tool.
Its very well balanced with the just the right amount of brass to handle any blade I have. And the walnut face has not marred any of the wedges.
I couldn’t be happier with this tool Chris and it’s a real pleasure to use and not too bad to look at as well.
I’m looking forward to any new tools that you come out with in the future.
Thanks
Michael, a very happy customer!
Michael, Thank you so much for the kinds words! Its hard to convey the feel of a tool to someone. So when customers like yourself speak of it, others notice. I hope many people pick one up at WIA to feel for themselves!!! Thank you for the Feedback!
Best regards,
Chris