Thread: What was this hammer used for?

A cobblers tack hammer. The magnetic end is used to start the tacks with out risking your fingers.

I used to watch an Upholsterer that worked for my Pop use one of those .
A little more slim and refined than the picture so Id say the cobbler would be right . Another possibility is the coach makers upholsterer ?
Any one who drove tacks .

The guy I watched was a first rate Master Upholsterer. A super efficient German guy who was a soldier in the German Army in WW 2 . He used to toss a palm load of tacks (with a guess 10 or 12 ? ) into his mouth. He would sort one to come out head first with his tongue while driving one in , his left hand would be holding the fabric in place, stretching it into position. The hammer would go to his mouth, grab another with the magnetic end and the next one driven home .
My bench was next to his, separated by the big tall cabinets that held the wadding and stuffing for seating . He would be over the other side doing a Antique sofa or set of chairs and every tack was driven that way . The sound went, one light tap to position the tack first, then two or three quick ones, then a one second gap while he got the next one , and over again went the cycle . Have you ever seen how many tacks in a Victorian sofa !!
It was pretty incredible .
Ive got a picture of him at his bench somewhere, its in a book on the Antique trade of Melbourne. If I find it I may put it up here .

Rob

Cheers guys, very interesting!

I found the book.
Here he is with a Victorian sofa

Egon Rutishauser

IMG_3569.JPG

Originally Posted by Bohdan

A cobblers tack hammer. The magnetic end is used to start the tacks with out risking your fingers.

I'll challenge that view, Rob.

Dad and several of his mates were cobblers and they all used hammers with much broader, slightly domed faces, so that they would not mark the leather. Remember tacks had to be driven firmly, flush with the surface.

Their hammers did have the magnetic feature and they routinely used the tacks in mouth technique described by Rob.



Cheers

Graeme

I find this hammer just the right size for tapping on the side of my plane iron.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

I'll challenge that view, Rob.

Dad and several of his mates were cobblers and they all used hammers with much broader, slightly domed faces, so that they would not mark the leather. Remember tacks had to be driven firmly, flush with the surface.

Their hammers did have the magnetic feature and they routinely used the tacks in mouth technique described by Rob.



Cheers

Graeme

I'm a little confused with what you are saying Graeme. ( you quoted Bohdan and then addressed me ) Ill agree with you though because you have more knowledge of cobblers than me. Ive never watched or talked to any .
Is a Cobblers Magnetic feature on a different type of hammer ?

I'm just thinking if you nail in tacks you may use the hammer pictured . The Only trade Ive witnessed it used in is Upholstery. Tacks into timber . Being a larger , not as refined hammer as I had witnessed, the thought of more robust use in carriages was a guess and a possibility . That's still hammering tacks into wood.
But not knowing enough about shoe repair and thinking a bit more about it , Its not Tacks into wood is it ? Does a cobbler use the same type of tacks for shoes ? And its not into wood is it ?

Rob

Originally Posted by auscab

I'm a little confused with what you are saying Graeme. ( you quoted Bohdan and then addressed me ) .........

Sorry, guys. I meant to address Bohdan and then reference you, Rob.

.....
But not knowing enough about shoe repair and thinking a bit more about it , Its not Tacks into wood is it ? Does a cobbler use the same type of tacks for shoes ? And its not into wood is it ?
Rob

Shoe repairers and cobblers used essentially the same types of tacks that you are are used to. Repairer's lasts are made from cast iron or steel so that the tack goes through the leather then hits the metal and is clenched over, much like a rivet. They had to hit the tack hard enough so that it both finished up inset flush with the surface of the sole and the point was properly clenched. Otherwise, a major irritant in your shoe.

Leather was almost always worked wet - soaked overnight - so that it formed to the shape of your shoe when it dried. Check your shoe soles - they ain't flat !

The one exception was women's high heels which, then, almost always had wooden forms - for attaching leather heels to these they used small flat head nails called tingles.

You brought back lots of memories.



Cheers

Graeme