Chasing Hammer vs Anticlastic Raising Hammer: Which Head?
By Jewellery Tools UK — Hand Tools for Jewellers & Silversmiths | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: Comparisons
Compare a curved cross-peen raising hammer with a 3-in-1 chasing hammer. Learn which head shape suits anticlastic forming, repoussé, and general bench work.
Quick answer
Choose the curved cross-peen hammer for dedicated anticlastic raising, where its elongated head follows domed and curved forms. Choose the 3-in-1 chasing hammer for repoussé, chasing, and general bench work where you need brass, nylon, and steel faces from one handle.
Head shape decides the job
The raising hammer has an elongated, curved cross-peen head built to follow complex contours and encourage controlled metal flow without overstretching. That shape is specific to anticlastic forming. The chasing hammer uses domed faces that screw into a solid hexagonal steel block, so each head seats firmly and swaps in seconds. A domed face spreads force more evenly, which suits chasing and repoussé rather than following a curve.
One handle versus one dedicated tool
The 3-in-1 gives you brass, nylon, and hardened steel heads on a single handle, which saves rack space and suits a kit that travels. The trade-off is that you must swap and seat heads between tasks, and the handle is shared across materials. The raising hammer is a single-purpose tool: no swapping, but no alternative faces either. If your work is mostly anticlastic raising, the dedicated hammer removes setup time. If your bench is crowded or you move between chasing, settling, and forming, the interchangeable set covers more ground.
Face material and marking risk
The raising hammer's polished faces are intended to prevent unwanted marks on the workpiece for a clean finish. The 3-in-1's brass head moves metal without marking it, the nylon head settles components you cannot afford to bruise, and the hardened steel head handles chasing and general forming. Neither tool removes the need to test on scrap, but the material choice tells you which face to reach for first when marking is a concern.
What the catalog does not tell you
The supplied records do not list head weights, handle lengths, or face diameters for either tool, so you cannot compare them on balance or striking force from the catalog alone. Treat those as unknowns and judge by the head shape and material suitability described above. If balance is critical to your work, handle both before committing.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Dedicated curve vs adaptable faces: The raising hammer's curved cross-peen follows anticlastic contours but does nothing else. The 3-in-1's domed faces cover chasing, settling, and forming but do not follow a curve the same way. Match the head shape to your dominant task, not to the number of heads.
- Setup time vs rack space: The 3-in-1 requires swapping and seating heads between tasks, while the raising hammer is always ready. The 3-in-1 replaces three tools on the rack; the raising hammer occupies one slot for one job. Count how often you change tasks in a session before choosing the interchangeable set.
- Marking control vs simplicity: The 3-in-1 gives you brass for marking-free metal movement and nylon for bruise-free settling. The raising hammer relies on polished faces alone. More face options mean more decisions at the bench. If you regularly work with delicate surfaces, the extra faces earn their keep.
Product facts
- Anticlastic Raising Cross Peen Hammer, Curved Head, for Jewellery and Repoussee, 10": Elongated, curved cross-peen head with polished faces, designed for anticlastic raising. The curve lets you follow domed and curved forms while the polished faces reduce marking on the workpiece.
Anticlastic Raising Cross Peen Hammer, Curved Head, for Jewellery and Repoussee, 10" - Chasing & Repoussé Hammer, 3-in-1 Interchangeable Heads — Brass, Nylon & Steel: Three interchangeable heads (brass, nylon, hardened steel) screw into a solid hexagonal steel block. You get marking-free metal movement, bruise-free settling, and chasing from one handle, with fast head changes.
Chasing & Repoussé Hammer, 3-in-1 Interchangeable Heads — Brass, Nylon & Steel
Which should you choose?
Best for
- Jewellers and silversmiths focused on anticlastic raising of domed and curved forms
- Bench workers who want a single dedicated hammer that is always ready
- Those shaping metal where following a contour matters more than swapping faces
Not for
- Workers who need brass, nylon, and steel faces from one handle
- Crowded benches or travel kits where one tool must cover chasing, settling, and forming
- Anyone who regularly switches between tasks in a single session
