Which Thor Hammer or Mallet Is Best for Leathercraft?

Which Thor Hammer or Mallet Is Best for Leathercraft?

A complete guide to choosing the right Thor hammer or mallet for leather punching, stitching chisels, stamping and general leatherworking.

Choosing the right hammer or mallet is an important part of leathercraft. Whether you're punching holes for belts, preparing stitching lines for hand sewing or using decorative leather stamps, the striking tool you choose can affect accuracy, comfort and the longevity of your tools.

Thor produces a range of specialist hammers and mallets with different striking materials, weights and head designs. From traditional compressed hide and hardwood mallets to modern engineering plastics and interchangeable-face hammers, each offers distinct advantages.

But which Thor hammer or mallet is best for leathercraft?

For general leatherworking, the Thor Hide Mallet, Super Plastic Mallet and Hardwood Mallet are all practical choices. For heavier striking tasks, the Thor Hide Hammer provides greater weight, while the Thorex Hammer offers the versatility of interchangeable hard, medium and soft striking faces.

In this guide, we'll compare five Thor hammers and mallets, explain their differences and help you choose the best option for your leatherworking projects.

Quick Comparison: Thor Hammers & Mallets

Thor Tool	Weight	Striking Material	Main Advantage
Thor Hide Mallet	340g / 570g	Compressed water-buffalo hide	Traditional, resilient striking
Thor Super Plastic Mallet	480g	UHMWPE	Excellent impact and abrasion resistance
Thor Hide Hammer	800g / 1230g	Replaceable hide faces	Heavy, concentrated striking force
Thor Thorex Hammer	570g / 760g	Interchangeable striking faces	Choice of hard, medium or soft
Thor Hardwood Mallet	525g	Laminated compressed wood	Firm, durable wooden striking

 

Quick recommendation: If you're looking for a versatile mallet for everyday leather punching and stitching chisels, start by comparing the Thor Hide Mallet, Super Plastic Mallet and Hardwood Mallet. If you need more weight or interchangeable striking faces, consider the Hide Hammer or Thorex Hammer.

You can explore the complete Thor Hammers & Mallets Collection at British Leather Supplies to compare the available models.

1. Thor Hide Mallet – Best for Traditional Leathercraft

The Thor Hide Mallet is an excellent choice for leatherworkers who prefer a traditional striking tool with a resilient natural head.

Manufactured in Britain from tightly coiled genuine water-buffalo hide, the mallet head is hydraulically compressed and seasoned to create a dense, durable striking surface.

Unlike a rigid steel hammer, the compressed hide provides some resilience on impact, making it suitable for striking compatible leather punches, stitching chisels and other leatherworking tools.

Key Features

• Manufactured in Britain.

• Head made from tightly coiled water-buffalo hide.

• Hydraulically pressed three times and seasoned over several months.

• Traditional wooden handle.

• Durable, resilient striking surface.

• Available in two sizes.

Thor Hide Mallet Sizes

Specification	Size 4	Size 5
Weight	340g	570g
Overall length	305mm	345mm
Head diameter	50mm	63mm
Head length	89mm	102mm

What Is the Thor Hide Mallet Best For?

The lighter 340g version of the Thor Hide Mallet is a useful option for general leathercraft, smaller punches and stitching tools where control is particularly important.

The 570g version offers greater striking weight and a larger head, making it suitable for leatherworkers who regularly use larger punches or need a more substantial blow.

Choose the Thor Hide Mallet if:

• You prefer a traditional natural striking material.

• You regularly use leather punches and stitching chisels.

• You want a choice between lighter and heavier mallet sizes.

• You value British-made leathercraft tools.

Our recommendation: The Thor Hide Mallet is a strong all-round option for leatherworkers who prefer the feel and resilience of compressed hide.

2. Thor Super Plastic Mallet – Best for Durability and Regular Use

The Thor Super Plastic Mallet is designed for demanding workshop applications where impact resistance and durability are important. Its striking head is manufactured from Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), a tough engineering plastic known for its excellent resistance to impact and abrasion.

Unlike some conventional plastic materials, UHMWPE is highly resistant to cracking and wear under suitable working conditions.

The Thor Super Plastic Mallet is also resistant to corrosion and many chemicals, making it a practical choice for busy workshops.

Key Features

• High-performance UHMWPE striking head.

• Excellent impact and abrasion resistance.

• Resistant to corrosion and many chemicals.

• Designed to resist fracturing, splintering and delamination.

• Traditional wooden handle.

• Durable construction for regular workshop use.

Specifications

Specification	Details
Weight	480g
Overall length	340mm
Head diameter	60mm
Head length	123mm
Head material	UHMWPE
Handle	Wood

What Is the Thor Super Plastic Mallet Best For?

The Super Plastic Mallet is particularly useful for leatherworkers who frequently strike punches, stitching chisels and other compatible tools. Its 480g weight offers a useful balance between striking momentum and handling control, while the UHMWPE head provides excellent resistance to repeated impact.

Choose the Thor Super Plastic Mallet if:

• You regularly punch holes or prepare stitching lines.

• You want a durable synthetic striking head.

• You prefer a non-metallic mallet with good wear resistance.

• You need a practical mallet for frequent workshop use.

Our recommendation: The Thor Super Plastic Mallet is an excellent option for leatherworkers prioritising durability, impact resistance and everyday versatility.

3. Thor Hide Hammer – Best for Heavier Striking Tasks

The Thor Hide Hammer is a different style of striking tool from a traditional hide mallet. Instead of having a head made entirely from compressed hide, it features a substantial malleable iron head fitted with two replaceable hide striking faces.

This construction combines the weight of a metal hammer with the resilience of hide striking surfaces.

The result is a hammer designed to deliver heavy, concentrated blows while helping reduce marking on suitable surfaces.

Key Features

• Heavy malleable iron head.

• Two replaceable hide striking faces.

• Resilient hide contact surfaces.

• Traditional wooden handle.

• Designed for substantial, concentrated impact.

• Available in two weights.

Thor Hide Hammer Sizes

Specification	Size 2	Size 3
Weight	800g	1230g
Overall length	305mm	305mm
Face diameter	38mm	44mm
Striking faces	Replaceable hide	Replaceable hide

What Is the Thor Hide Hammer Best For?

The Hide Hammer is particularly useful for heavier workshop tasks where a substantial striking weight is required.

For leatherworking, it may be suitable for larger punches, heavier tools and assembly applications, provided the tool being struck is designed for this type of hammer.

Because it is considerably heavier than the other mallets in this comparison, it may be less comfortable for prolonged detailed stamping or repetitive light work.

Choose the Thor Hide Hammer if:

• You need a heavier striking tool.

• You work with larger or more demanding tools.

• You prefer resilient hide faces rather than direct steel contact.

• You want the convenience of replaceable striking faces.

Our recommendation: The Thor Hide Hammer is best considered a specialist heavy-duty option rather than the first choice for every everyday leathercraft task.

4. Thor Thorex Nylon Hammer – Best for Interchangeable Striking Faces

The Thor Thorex Hammer is one of the most versatile options in the range because it allows you to choose the firmness of the striking faces. It features a durable metal head, traditional wooden handle and replaceable screw-in faces.

Unlike a conventional fixed-head mallet, the Thorex Hammer is available with three different striking face types.

White, Red and Grey Thorex Faces Explained

White – Hard

White faces provide a firm striking surface for applications requiring a more direct impact.

Red – Medium

Red faces offer a medium-firm striking surface, providing a balance between firmness and cushioning.

Grey – Soft

Grey faces offer a more forgiving striking surface for suitable tasks where additional cushioning is desirable.

The hammer's metal head features serrations designed to help prevent the screw-in faces from loosening during use.

Each face also incorporates a reinforced shoulder for additional strength and resistance to fracture from misdirected blows.

Compatible replacement faces are available separately, allowing you to replace worn faces or change the hammer's striking characteristics.

Thor Thorex Hammer Sizes

Specification	570g	760g
Weight	570g	760g
Overall length	305mm	305mm
Face diameter	38mm	44mm
Available faces	White, Red, Grey	White, Red, Grey
Face attachment	Screw-in	Screw-in
Handle	Wood	Wood

What Is the Thor Thorex Hammer Best For?

The Thorex Hammer is a practical choice for leatherworkers who use a variety of striking tools and want the flexibility to change face firmness. For example, hard faces may be preferred for compatible punches requiring a firm blow, while softer faces may be useful for more delicate assembly applications.

The 570g version offers a lighter option, while the 760g version provides greater striking weight and a larger face diameter.

Choose the Thor Thorex Hammer if:

• You want a choice of hard, medium or soft striking faces.

• You regularly switch between different workshop tasks.

• You prefer replaceable faces rather than a permanently fitted striking head.

• You want a heavier hammer with a non-metallic contact surface.

Our recommendation: The Thor Thorex Hammer is the most adaptable choice in this comparison for leatherworkers who specifically want interchangeable face firmness.

5. Thor Hardwood Mallet – Best for Traditional Wooden Striking

The Thor Hardwood Mallet is a British-made striking tool manufactured from high-density laminated compressed wood. Its distinctive barrel-shaped head features flush-fitted glass fibre hoops for additional reinforcement and security.

A conical self-locking tapered handle provides a secure connection between the head and handle.

The compressed laminated wood has a manufacturer-stated density of 1.3 and is designed to provide excellent impact resistance and a long service life.

Key Features

• Manufactured in Britain.

• High-density laminated compressed wood head.

• Barrel-shaped striking head.

• Flush-fitted glass fibre reinforcing hoops.

• Conical self-locking tapered handle.

• Excellent resistance to impact.

• Durable construction for regular workshop use.

Specifications

Specification	Details
Weight	525g
Head diameter	58mm (2¼ inches)
Head length	120mm (4¾ inches)
Head material	Laminated compressed wood
Material density	1.3 (manufacturer-stated)
Reinforcement	Glass fibre hoops
Country of manufacture	Britain

What Is the Thor Hardwood Mallet Best For?

The Thor Hardwood Mallet is particularly suitable for leatherworkers who prefer a traditional wooden striking tool. Its dense laminated head provides a firm, solid impact, making it useful for compatible leather punches, stitching chisels and general workshop applications.

The reinforced construction is designed for durability, while the 525g weight provides a substantial yet manageable striking tool.

Choose the Thor Hardwood Mallet if:

• You prefer the traditional feel of a wooden mallet.

• You want a firm striking surface.

• You regularly use suitable leather punches and tooling equipment.

• You value British-made workshop tools.

Our recommendation: The Thor Hardwood Mallet is an excellent choice for leatherworkers who want a durable wooden mallet with a firm striking feel.

Which Thor Mallet Is Best for Different Leathercraft Tasks?

The best hammer or mallet depends on the task, the tool being struck and the amount of force required. Here is a practical starting point.

Leathercraft Task	Thor Tools to Consider	Why
Small leather hole punches	Hide Mallet 340g	Lighter weight and controlled striking
General leather punching	Hide Mallet, Super Plastic Mallet	Resilient or durable non-metallic striking surfaces
Larger leather punches	Hide Mallet 570g, Thorex 760g	Greater striking weight
Stitching chisels	Hide Mallet, Super Plastic Mallet, Hardwood Mallet	Suitable for repeated controlled blows
Compatible pricking irons	Hide Mallet, Super Plastic Mallet	Non-metallic striking surfaces
Leather stamping	Hide Mallet, Hardwood Mallet	Traditional striking feel
Heavier workshop tasks	Hide Hammer	Substantial striking weight
Tasks requiring different face firmness	Thorex Hammer	Hard, medium and soft face options

 

Hide vs Plastic vs Wood vs Replaceable Faces – What's the Difference?

The striking material has a significant influence on how a hammer or mallet feels and performs.

Compressed Hide

Compressed hide offers a traditional, resilient striking surface. It provides some cushioning during impact and is a popular choice for craftspeople who prefer natural materials.

Found on: Thor Hide Mallet and Thor Hide Hammer.

UHMWPE Plastic

Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene is a tough engineering plastic with excellent resistance to impact and abrasion. It offers a durable, consistent striking surface suitable for frequent use.

Found on: Thor Super Plastic Mallet.

Laminated Compressed Wood

Dense laminated wood provides a firm striking surface with a traditional feel. The Thor Hardwood Mallet's reinforced head is designed to withstand repeated workshop impact.

Found on: Thor Hardwood Mallet.

Interchangeable Striking Faces

Interchangeable faces allow you to change the firmness of the striking surface without replacing the entire hammer. This makes them useful for craftspeople who work across different applications.

Found on: Thor Thorex Hammer.

Does a Harder Mallet Always Work Better?

No. A harder striking surface can deliver a more direct impact, but that does not automatically make it better for every leatherworking task.

Softer or more resilient striking materials may be preferable for certain tools or applications, while a firmer material may be more suitable for others.

The correct choice depends on tool compatibility, striking force and the result you're trying to achieve.

What Weight Mallet Should You Use for Leathercraft?

Mallet weight affects both striking momentum and handling comfort.

A heavier hammer can deliver greater impact at a similar swing speed, while a lighter mallet may be easier to control during detailed or repetitive work.

Lighter Thor Mallets: 340g–480g

The Thor Hide Mallet Size 4 (340g) and Super Plastic Mallet (480g) are useful options for general leathercraft.

These weights may appeal to leatherworkers who want manageable striking tools for regular punching and stitching work.

Medium-Weight Thor Mallets: 525g–570g

The Thor Hardwood Mallet (525g), Hide Mallet Size 5 (570g) and Thorex Hammer (570g) offer additional striking weight.

They may be useful for larger punches, thicker leather and applications requiring a more substantial blow.

Heavier Thor Hammers: 760g–1230g

The Thor Thorex Hammer (760g) and Hide Hammer (800g or 1230g) are more substantial striking tools.

These are better suited to tasks where greater force is required and may be unnecessarily heavy for delicate or repetitive work.

Remember: Weight is only one factor. Head material, striking face diameter, balance and your technique all influence how a hammer performs.

Which Thor Hammer Should a Beginner Choose?

If you're new to leathercraft, you probably don't need several different mallets straight away.

For most beginners, a manageable, versatile mallet is a sensible starting point.

The Thor Hide Mallet Size 4 (340g) is worth considering if you prefer a traditional natural striking material.

The Thor Super Plastic Mallet (480g) is another practical option if you prioritise durability and a synthetic striking head.

If you prefer a firmer wooden striking surface, the Thor Hardwood Mallet (525g) is also worth considering.

As your leatherworking projects become more demanding, you may find it useful to add a heavier hammer or a Thorex Hammer with interchangeable faces.

How to Use a Thor Mallet with Leather Punches and Stitching Chisels

Whichever Thor hammer or mallet you choose, good technique is essential for consistent results.

1. Use a Suitable Punching Surface

Place your leather on a stable workbench with an appropriate punching board underneath.

This helps support the leather and protect the cutting edges of your punches and chisels.

2. Hold Your Tool Upright

Position the punch or stitching chisel accurately and keep it perpendicular to the leather unless the application requires otherwise.

Poor alignment can lead to uneven holes or unnecessary tool wear.

3. Strike Squarely

Bring the mallet face down squarely onto the tool's striking end.

Avoid glancing blows, which can cause the tool to slip or damage the striking surface.

4. Use Controlled Force

Start with a measured blow and increase the force only when necessary.

Allow the weight of the mallet to contribute to the strike rather than relying on excessive swinging.

5. Inspect Your Tools

Check the striking surfaces of your mallet and leatherworking tools regularly.

Replace worn faces on compatible hammers, and avoid using tools with damaged or loose components.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Thor mallet for leathercraft?

For general leathercraft, the Thor Hide Mallet and Super Plastic Mallet are strong options. The Hide Mallet provides a traditional resilient striking surface, while the Super Plastic Mallet offers excellent impact and abrasion resistance. The best choice depends on your tools and preferred striking feel.

Which Thor mallet is best for leather hole punches?

The Thor Hide Mallet, Super Plastic Mallet and Hardwood Mallet can all be suitable for compatible leather hole punches. For larger punches or thicker leather, a heavier model may be useful.

What is the difference between the Thor Hide Mallet and Hide Hammer?

The Thor Hide Mallet has a head made from compressed water-buffalo hide. The Thor Hide Hammer has a heavy malleable iron head fitted with replaceable hide faces. The Hide Hammer is considerably heavier and designed for more concentrated blows.

Is the Thor Super Plastic Mallet made from nylon?

No. The Thor Super Plastic Mallet uses Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), a different engineering plastic. The Thorex range is commonly referred to as a nylon hammer and offers interchangeable striking faces.

What do the different Thor Thorex hammer face colours mean?

White faces are hard, red faces are medium and grey faces are soft. The different options allow you to choose a striking firmness suited to your application.

Can you buy replacement faces for Thor hammers?

Yes. Replacement faces are available for the Thor Thorex Hammer and Thor Hide Hammer. Check the hammer model and size before purchasing replacement faces.

Are Thor mallets made in Britain?

The Thor Hide Mallet and Thor Hardwood Mallet featured in this guide are manufactured in Britain. Check individual product listings for the manufacturing origin of other models.

Is a wooden mallet better than a plastic mallet for leatherworking?

Neither is universally better. A wooden mallet provides a traditional, firm striking feel, while a suitable plastic mallet can offer excellent durability and wear resistance. Choose according to the tool being struck and your preferred handling characteristics.

Do I need a heavy hammer for leathercraft?

Not necessarily. Many everyday leathercraft tasks can be completed with a medium-weight mallet. Heavier hammers are more useful when working with larger tools or applications requiring greater striking force.

Final Verdict: Which Thor Hammer or Mallet Should You Buy?

There is no single Thor hammer or mallet that is best for every leatherworking task. Each model offers a different combination of striking material, weight and working characteristics.

For traditional leathercraft: Choose the Thor Hide Mallet for its resilient compressed water-buffalo hide head.

For regular punching and durability: Choose the Thor Super Plastic Mallet for its impact-resistant UHMWPE head.

For heavier striking tasks: Choose the Thor Hide Hammer for its substantial weight and replaceable hide faces.

For versatility: Choose the Thor Thorex Hammer for interchangeable White (Hard), Red (Medium) and Grey (Soft) faces.

For a traditional wooden mallet: Choose the British-made Thor Hardwood Mallet for its dense laminated wood head and reinforced construction.

The most important consideration is choosing a striking tool that matches your leatherworking equipment and the force required.

Whether you're looking for a traditional hide mallet, a durable plastic striking tool, a British-made hardwood mallet or a versatile Thorex Hammer with interchangeable faces, the Thor range offers practical options for different leatherworking applications.

Explore our Thor Hammers & Mallets Collection to compare the range and find the right striking tool for your workshop.

For more general advice on striking tools, read our guide to Everything You Need to Know About Leather Mallets & Mauls.

Happy leatherworking!

Written by Becky Cocker, leather artisan for CARV bags and founder of British Leather Supplies. Discover more about the people and passion behind our business in Our Story.