Cobblers’ hammer

The shoemaker used this hammer to beat the leather of the shoe sole with the flat side, to flatten and strengthen it. For this, he could soak the sole in a tub of water and then beat it with the hammer on a stone held on his knees until the sole became hard enough to withstand future wear.

The hammer was also used to tighten the leather fibers or to assemble the outsoles and heels. Even today, it remains an indispensable tool for working leather.