Hammers Buyer Guide

Hammers buyer guide

The hammer is probably the single most versatile and indispensable tool anyone can have in their toolbox. The humble hammer is also most likely the first tool mankind invented. Modern hammers are exponentially sophisticated and easier to work with. In addition, every hammer type has an intended purpose and potential limitations. In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at some of the most common types of hammer and how they should be used.

Anatomy of a hammer

The basic anatomy of almost every hammer or mallet on the market is the same. They all feature a handle to provide a safe and comfortable grip, a head designed to strike the required object and often an ‘eye’ in the head that the handle passes through. 

Some hammers are designed for use on one side of the head only, while others feature entirely different tools to the front and back of the head. Different types of hammers are also designed for compatibility with specific types of materials and accessories (such as nails and tacks). Others are more multipurpose tools for a variety of applications.

For obvious reasons, the single most important feature of any hammer is safety.  A hammer that comprises low-grade materials for the sake of cutting costs can be a surprisingly hazardous tool.

Types of hammers & mallets

Let’s take a brief look at a selection of popular types of hammers and mallets:

Framing hammers

Framing hammers are designed primarily for heavy duty applications like timber framing. They feature an extremely robust and heavy head, which has a milled face to provide extra grip and traction when hammering nails into wooden surfaces. They also have a comparatively long handle and can therefore be swung with additional force.

Finishing hammers

A typical finishing hammer will be much lighter in weight and often smaller than a framing hammer, with a slightly domed face to ensure the surface surrounding the nail is protected during the final blows. They also have a shorter handle for enhanced precision, along with a claw for removing nails on the other side of the head.

Japanese hammers

The Japanese hammer is a versatile, multipurpose tool, which features a hardened striking face on the front of a much softer head. The softer material behind the face absorbs more of the shock with each strike, reducing recoil and vibration for a more comfortable hold and improved safety.

Square headed wooden mallets

Wooden mallets are often the tools of choice among carpenters and woodworkers for striking tools like chisels, which may feature plastic or wooden handles that would otherwise be damaged by a metallic claw hammer head. Wooden mallets may feature flat or angled faces on either side of the head. Angled heads improving precision when working with chisels and similar tools.

Dead blow mallets

This is the ‘classic’ mallet made from plastic or rubber which produces almost no recoil or shock. The head of the mallet may be filled with steel or lead shot, maximising its performance with each strike. They’re also comparatively soft and are therefore useful when working with materials with fragile or sensitive surfaces.

Key considerations when buying a hammer

Buying a hammer doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s primarily a case of prioritising four key considerations, which will help you choose the perfect tool for the job:

Hammer head weight

The weight of the head of a hammer will ultimately determine the power of each strike. This is why framing hammers are made with much heavier heads than finishing hammers, as the latter is designed more for precision than power.

Hammer handle length

It’s worth considering the length of the handle, which is another case of power vs precision. Longer handles make it easier to swing the head at a much faster speed and transfer more energy to the chisel or nail. By contrast, a shorter handle reduces power but brings significantly more precision.

Hammer head material

Hammers and mallets feature heads made from a variety of different materials, each with their intended applications and limitations. For obvious reasons, attempting to hammer nails into hard wooden surfaces with a wood-headed hammer isn’t ideal. Just as bashing a fragile wooden surface with a heavy metal-headed hammer isn’t advisable.

Hammer handle comfort

Hammer handles are made from different types and combinations of material. Some are more durable than others, some are ergonomic for maximum comfort and some are made to be as light-weight as possible.  Personal preference plays a role when choosing your ideal handle, but should always come second to the quality and intended purpose of the hammer.