For generations, carpenters have searched for ways to start a nail in tight spots or while holding a board in place with only one hand. The answer, patented more than 95 years ago, was a cleverly designed hammer that could hold a nail magnetically or mechanically within its claws, freeing the user’s second hand for positioning the work. Known as the Cheney nailer and its many successors, these nail-holding hammers have a fascinating history that bridges traditional blacksmithing and modern tool innovation.
The Cheney Hammer: A 1927 Innovation
Arthur Taylor patented the Cheney Nailer on March 22, 1927. The design featured a spring-loaded mechanism within the hammer’s claw—specifically, a pair of spring-loaded steel balls that could grip a nail shaft. A set screw on the side of the hammer head allowed the user to adjust the holding pressure for different nail sizes. Once the nail was started in the work surface, a simple side twist would release it from the claws.
These hammers were produced both in Denmark (Cheney’s country of origin) and under license in the United States. The smooth, polished head—as opposed to the milled faces found on most modern hammers—was a distinguishing feature that owner-operators prized for its reduced marring of finished wood surfaces.
The Problem of the One-Handed Nail Start
Why was a nail-holding hammer so desirable? Consider the common scenario: you are reaching over your head to nail a ceiling joist, or you are tacking a trim board into a corner where you cannot brace both the nail and the hammer simultaneously. Without a holding mechanism, you must either pinch the nail between your fingers (risking a painful strike) or use a second nail set. A nail-holding hammer eliminates both the risk and the inefficiency.
According to Don Stevenson, a noted hammer collector from Woodland, Washington, approximately 150 distinct patents exist for nail-holding hammers—evidence of how many inventors have tackled this same problem over the past century.
Modern Revival: Forgecraft and Ted Hammers
Remarkably, in the early 1990s—just a few years before the Cheney hammer’s original patents would have fully expired—two American companies independently reinvented the nail-holding hammer, each believing they were the first to do so.
- Forgecraft (City of Industry, California) developed a nail-holding hammer that used a spring-loaded sleeve around the hammer head to capture the nail.
- Ted Hammers (San Diego, California) created a model with a similar mechanical gripping action, marketed heavily to framers and roofers.
Both companies filed patents thinking their designs were novel, unaware that Arthur Taylor had blazed the trail 65 years earlier. This parallel invention provides a compelling case study in how good ideas often emerge independently when a genuine need exists in the marketplace.
How Nail-Holding Mechanisms Work
Nail-holding hammers generally fall into three mechanical categories:
| Mechanism Type | How It Works | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring-loaded balls | Steel balls press against nail shaft via coil spring tension | Simple, durable, adjustable | Can lose tension over decades |
| Magnetic tip | Magnet in the hammer face holds the nail | No moving parts to wear out | Limited holding force, affected by nail coating |
| Spring sleeve/claw | Sleeve slides over hammer head to trap nail | Strong grip, works with deformed nails | More complex, can jam |
Practical Applications for Modern Builders
While pneumatic nailers and cordless finish nailers have largely replaced hammers for production work, the nail-holding hammer remains valuable in specific situations:
- Tight corners where a nail gun’s nose cannot reach
- Repair work where one hand must hold a patch or backing block in place
- Roofing applications where reaching overhead with a nail gun is impractical
- Historic restoration where the use of modern power tools would be inappropriate
- Rough framing adjustments where a single nail needs to be driven quickly
Are Nail-Holding Hammers Still Available?
Cheney hammers are no longer manufactured, but they appear regularly on the vintage tool market. Collectors and users can find them at tool swap meets, antique shops, and online auction sites. Prices typically range from $25 for a well-used example to $150 or more for a mint-condition specimen with its original box.
For those who want a modern production model, several tool manufacturers still produce magnetic nail-holding hammers. While these lack the adjustability of the spring-loaded Cheney design, they are readily available at hardware stores and home centers for $20 to $40.
Care and Maintenance
If you acquire a vintage nail-holding hammer, proper maintenance will keep it functional for decades more:
- Clean the spring mechanism with penetrating oil if it feels sticky
- Adjust the set screw to match your typical nail size
- Keep the striking face smooth by lightly sanding with fine-grit paper
- Replace the handle if cracked—a loose head is dangerous
- Store in a dry environment to prevent rust on the spring components
The Legacy of Clever Simplicity
The nail-holding hammer represents a golden era of tool design, when a single mechanical innovation could make a craftsman’s work significantly easier. That the same idea was independently reinvented generations later speaks to its fundamental usefulness. Whether you are a collector of vintage tools, a working carpenter, or a DIY enthusiast, the nail-holding hammer is a reminder that sometimes the best solutions are also the simplest.
For more on essential hand tools, see our article on prefabrication techniques for efficient building and maintaining high construction quality on every project.