What is a paving hammer?
A paving hammer is the hammer a paver uses to tap blocks, setts and slabs firmly into their bedding, with a sharp edge on one side of the head for splitting stone. It is sometimes called a sett hammer. The Dutch name is straatmakershamer.
One tool does two jobs. The flat face knocks a paver down to level and tight against its neighbours, so it locks into the bond. The sharp, chisel-like edge splits a unit along a line, for example to make a cut piece against a kerb or around a manhole cover.
Steel paving hammers are commonly sold with head weights of roughly 1 to 2.5 kg, usually on a wooden handle. Alongside them, paviors use rubber and nylon-faced mallets to seat blocks without marking or chipping the surface.
Recognising it
A heavy steel head with a flat striking face on one side and a chisel-shaped edge on the other, on a fairly short handle so you can work close to the ground. A brick hammer looks similar but is lighter and meant for trimming bricks in masonry work.
In practice
- Tap lightly and often rather than hitting hard. The unit should settle into the bedding; a heavy blow drives it in crooked or too deep.
- Use a rubber or nylon mallet on show faces, such as coloured concrete pavers or natural stone.
- Mark before you split. Score a line and strike along it; for concrete blocks and thick slabs a block splitter or saw usually gives a cleaner cut.
- Check the head and handle. A loose head is dangerous; replace a cracked handle straight away.
- Wear safety glasses when splitting, because sharp chips fly off.
Common mistake: tapping pavers with the sharp edge instead of the flat face. It knocks off arrises and spoils the finished surface.
Related terms
- Clay paver
- Concrete paver
- Paving bond
- Bedding
- Hammer
- Brick hammer
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