PALPaper Airplane Lab
The Hammer finished shape

Folding guide

The Hammer

The Hammer stacks paper at the front on purpose. The tradeoff is less float and more straight-line momentum.

Difficulty: EasyTime: 4 minutesDistanceSpeedBeginner
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Step 1 of 5

How to Fold a The Hammer Paper Airplane

Fold a deep nose flap

Step 1

Fold a deep nose flap

From a portrait sheet, fold the top edge down about one-quarter of the page.

All folding steps

  1. Step 1

    Step 1: Fold a deep nose flap

    From a portrait sheet, fold the top edge down about one-quarter of the page.

  2. Step 2

    Step 2: Fold that flap down again

    Fold the thick top section down once more to stack weight at the nose.

  3. Step 3

    Step 3: Center crease

    Fold the plane in half lengthwise.

  4. Step 4

    Step 4: Make the wings

    Fold each wing down flush with the bottom of the body.

  5. Step 5

    Step 5: Open and throw

    Open the wings level and throw firmly. Expect a strong forward path.

Flying Tips

  • Because the nose is heavy, start with almost no elevator.
  • Great when light AC drafts upset lighter gliders.

Paper Airplane Specifications

Difficulty
Easy
Folding time
4 minutes
Paper size
A4 or Letter
Best for
Straight throws in mildly drafty indoor spaces
Flight style
Momentum-first flight
Notes
Simple fold count; nose stack is the key idea.

Related Paper Airplanes

The Hammer FAQ

Can I add a paperclip?+

Usually unnecessary — the folded stack already moves weight forward. Add a clip only if it still stalls upward.