The Ultimate Guide to Hammers: Types, Brands, and Uses

Replacement Handles

A quality hammer is only as good as its handle. Whether you need to replace a broken handle or upgrade to a more ergonomic grip, choosing the right replacement handle ensures the longevity of your tool. Options range from traditional wooden handles to modern fiberglass and composite alternatives.

Aluminum Hammers

Aluminum hammers are lightweight and corrosion-resistant, making them ideal for applications where reducing fatigue is a priority. They are commonly used in automotive and aerospace industries due to their durability and non-marring properties.

Axes and Hatchets

Essential tools for woodworkers and outdoorsmen, axes and hatchets come in various designs suited for chopping, splitting, and felling trees. The right choice depends on the job—whether it's a camping hatchet for portability or a splitting axe for heavy-duty use.

Blacksmith Tongs

Blacksmith tongs are essential for gripping and manipulating hot metal. With different jaw shapes designed for specific tasks, these tools allow for precision and safety in blacksmithing operations.

Blacksmithing Hammers

From cross pein to rounding hammers, blacksmithing hammers shape metal with force and accuracy. The right hammer depends on the metal being worked on and the desired outcome.

Blacksmith Supplies

Apart from hammers and tongs, blacksmiths require anvils, forges, and protective gear. Quality tools enhance efficiency, making the forging process smoother and more precise.

Brass Hammers

Brass hammers provide a soft striking surface, reducing the risk of damaging delicate materials. They are ideal for metalworking, jewelry making, and precision assembly tasks.

Copper Hammers

Copper hammers are used for non-sparking applications, making them a popular choice in industries where safety is a concern. They offer similar benefits to brass hammers but with slightly different hardness properties.

Dead Blow Hammers

Designed to reduce rebound, dead blow hammers deliver maximum force while minimizing the risk of damage. These hammers are filled with sand or steel shot to absorb impact and improve control.

Framing Hammers

With their longer handles and heavier heads, framing hammers are designed for heavy-duty carpentry work. They feature milled or smooth faces, depending on whether grip or a clean finish is the priority.

Geologist Hammers

Geologists rely on specialized hammers for breaking rocks and minerals. These hammers feature durable construction and a pointed tip for precision chipping and splitting.

Mallets

Mallets come in various materials, including rawhide, plastic, wood, and rubber. Each type serves a unique purpose, whether it’s gentle persuasion in woodworking or striking chisels without marring the surface.

Rawhide Mallets

Soft yet durable, rawhide mallets are favored in leatherworking and jewelry making. Their ability to deliver force without damaging delicate materials makes them indispensable in certain crafts.

Plastic Mallets

Plastic mallets are lightweight and versatile, making them an excellent choice for assembly work and delicate applications where metal hammers would be too aggressive.

Wood Mallets

Traditional wood mallets are commonly used in woodworking for driving chisels and assembling furniture. Their wooden heads prevent damage to tools and workpieces.

Domed Face Mallets

With their unique rounded face, domed face mallets distribute force evenly, reducing the risk of denting or over-striking delicate surfaces.

Rubber Mallets

Rubber mallets offer a soft impact, making them ideal for assembling furniture, working with sheet metal, and other applications where a gentle touch is required.

Mauls and Back Out Punches

Used in heavy-duty striking applications, mauls and back out punches are designed to drive stakes and remove pins with controlled force.

Malleable Iron Hammers

These durable hammers provide a balance between hardness and resilience, making them useful for a variety of metalworking applications.

Masons Hammers

Masons hammers are essential for cutting and shaping stone and brick. Their hardened steel heads allow precise chipping and splitting.

Metalworking Hammers

Metalworking hammers come in various styles, including ball pein, straight pein, and cross pein hammers. They are used for shaping, forging, and finishing metal.

Pein Hammers - Ball, Straight, and Cross Pein

Each pein hammer serves a distinct function in metalworking. Ball pein hammers are excellent for riveting, while straight and cross pein hammers help shape and expand metal.

Sledge Hammers

For maximum force, sledge hammers are the go-to tool. They are used for demolition, driving stakes, and heavy-duty construction tasks.

Soft (Replaceable) Face Hammers

These hammers feature interchangeable faces, allowing users to switch between soft and hard striking surfaces for different tasks.

Split-Head Hammers

Split-head hammers offer modularity, letting users replace worn-out faces without changing the entire hammer body. They are commonly used in industrial and mechanical applications.

Specialty Trades

From farriers to machinists, specialty trades require unique hammer designs tailored to their specific needs. These hammers ensure efficiency and precision in specialized fields.

Industrial Supplies

Beyond hammers, industrial supply stores offer a wide range of complementary tools, from protective gear to measuring instruments, ensuring that workers have everything they need for the job.

Hammer Close-Outs, Books, T-Shirts

For enthusiasts and professionals alike, hammer-related books provide in-depth knowledge, while branded apparel allows tradespeople to showcase their passion.

Shop by Brand

Choosing the right hammer brand can make all the difference. Here are some of the best in the industry:

Picard Hammers

A trusted name in German craftsmanship, Picard Hammers are known for their precision and durability.

Vaughan

With over a century of experience, Vaughan hammers are a favorite among carpenters and tradesmen.

Thor Hammer Company Ltd.

Specializing in soft-faced hammers, Thor Hammer Company offers high-quality non-marring solutions.

Halder Hammers

German-engineered Halder hammers provide superior performance for professional applications.

Garland Hammers

Garland produces a variety of industrial and soft-faced hammers for multiple uses.

NUPLA

Renowned for its innovative fiberglass handles, NUPLA hammers are lightweight and durable.

The Hammer Source

A go-to supplier for all types of hammers, The Hammer Source offers a vast selection for professionals.

Warwood Tool

With a heritage in American craftsmanship, Warwood Tool hammers are built for strength and reliability.

ABC Hammers

ABC Hammers specializes in non-sparking, non-marring hammers ideal for hazardous work environments.

Council Tools

Made in the USA, Council Tools manufactures high-quality hammers for forestry, firefighting, and industrial use.

View All Brands

With so many brands available, finding the perfect hammer has never been easier. Each brand offers unique benefits, catering to different industries and tasks.

By understanding the variety of hammers available, professionals and hobbyists alike can choose the best tool for their needs, ensuring efficiency, precision, and safety in every strike.