Hand-Hammered vs Air-Hammered HandPans

Handcrafted and
Air-hammer
shaped INSTRUMENTs

what's the difference?

When it comes to crafting a high-quality HandPan, the technique used to shape the instrument has a profound impact on its tone, feel, and personality. At PanStream, we use both hand-hammering and air-hammering methods, depending on the design, material, and acoustic goals of the instrument.

But what exactly is the difference between these two techniques? And how do they affect the final sound?

What Is a Hand-Hammered HandPan?

  • Hand-hammering is the traditional method of forming a HandPan. The maker uses a mallet or hammer to manually strike and shape the steel shell, tone fields, and central dome (ding).

This method requires:

      • Thousands of controlled strikes by hand

      • Deep knowledge of how steel behaves under pressure

      • Patience, precision, and a trained ear

Advantages of hand-hammering:

      • Warm, organic sound with rich overtones

      • Greater control over tone field shaping

      • Often seen as more “artisanal” or soulful

Hand-hammered PanStream HandPan: D Kurd 18

What Is an Air-Hammered Handpan?

Air-hammering (also known as pneumatic hammering) uses a mechanical tool that delivers thousands of rapid, consistent strikes to shape the steel shell.

It’s a faster process and is commonly used to:

      • Rough-form shells with high precision

      • Prepare raw material before hand-finishing

      • Produce more consistent results across batches

Advantages of air-hammering:

      • Faster production times

      • More consistent shaping of shells

      • Excellent for early-stage forming

With the right skill and care, air-hammered pans can sound just as beautiful – especially when combined with fine hand shaping and tuning.

Air-hammered PanStream HandPan: D Kurd 16

air-hammer photo
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A Quick Note on Factory-Pressed Handpans

You may also come across HandPans that are mass-produced in factories using hydraulic presses or stamping machines. While they may look like HandPans, their acoustic quality is typically not comparable to handcrafted or air-hammered instruments.

Sound Comparison: Hand-Hammered vs Air-Hammered

While both methods can produce professional-grade instruments, the subtle differences in tone are what many players find fascinating.

Hand-hammered HandPans often have:

      • Softer attack

      • Deeper harmonics

      • A more “alive” or natural feel

Air-hammered HandPans often sound:

      • Clean and consistent

      • Slightly brighter or more focused

      • Ideal for modern, percussive playing styles

Ultimately, the method is just one part of the story – the skill of the maker and the quality of tuning matter most.

Which Is Better?

At PanStream, we don’t believe one method is “better” than the other. Instead, we choose the approach based on:

      • Desired tone and sustain

      • Type of steel used

      • Tuning goals

      • Aesthetic and acoustic balance

In fact, many of our instruments are made using a hybrid process: air-hammered for forming, then hand-hammered and hand-tuned for acoustic precision.

Final Thoughts

Whether you prefer the raw artistry of hand-hammered pans or the sleek precision of air-hammered instruments, both approaches offer beautiful, resonant results when crafted with care.

Have a listen to both videos above and let your ears decide.

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