Best Overall
Estwing Rip Claw 16-Ounce Hammer
Best Value
CRAFTSMAN Hammer, Fiberglass, 16 oz.
Best for Heavy-Duty
Stanley Stht0-5130 20Oz Fiberglass Curved Claw Hammer
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The more fix - it contrive you harness , the more crowded your tool case becomes . But fact are fact : there ’s no rival or replacement for a good mallet . This is still — and forever will be — a handy mortal ’s must - have . Aside from the screwdriver , a pounding is potential the most often strain - for creature , whether for driving nail in or pull them out .
You need to know what to look for . The right hammer feels good in the mitt and makes jobs easy — simple as that . The wrong cock can be voiceless on the wrist and palm , can put your fingerbreadth at higher risk of getting ruin . The unseasonable hammer might even violate during heavy use of goods and services .
Below , translate our wind for opt the best hammer for your task needs and budget , and see which hammering we pick out as top picks after testing many of the most popular options uncommitted today .
What to Consider When Choosing a Hammer
The best hammer is safe , does not cause undue tiredness , and helps with multiple DIY jobs . When choosing , depend at the boldness , claw , distance , and system of weights of the pound , and make trusted to be naturalistic about your demand . Pro - level model are appealing for their ponderousness and durability , but heavier , longer hammers can be tiring or even clumsy to swing , and most common task around the home plate do n’t require their level superpower .
Face
Most hammers have a forged steel brain ( although Ti is available on pricier models ) , with either a smooth face or a waffled or mill face . A smooth face is less likely to stimulate harm if you leave out your swing . A coarse-textured fount , while well able-bodied to “ take hold of ” the nail , will ruin a ruined surface , get to these types of hammers most suitable for frame in applications . For the average DIYer , the good hammer has a smooth face ; only those who do a honest amount of woodwork or major construction work will favour the extra clutch of a milled face .
Claw
As the name implies , a claw hammering has a cleaved blade opposite the look , which is used for overstretch nails and prize baseball bat apart . There are two basic type of claw hammer — curved claw and rip claw .
Handle
A cock should palpate well-off in hand and provide a good grip that helps engross shocks . While both steel and fiberglass handles are hardy enough to steep the force of pound , the stuff have their differences .
Grip
A good grip founder you more mastery of the hammering , and better control diminish the likeliness of smash a thumbnail instead of an actual nail . sword and fiberglass hammers all have some sort of grip ; wood - handle hammers often do n’t have a hold , as they ’re typically naturally grippy ( though some carpenters do roughen the handle with sandpaper ) .
On most hammers , the grip is a rubbery synthetic substance that render padding while absorbing shock . Leather is another option , although it ’s more expensive . There are old - school hammers from decades ago with hard , shiny leather hold that are well continue from the oil of the tradesperson ’s paw , suggesting leather can be just as dependable and long - lived as a synthetic .
Weight
Weight is one of the most crucial factors to take when choosing a hammer . Too gruelling , and there is a risk of muscle tiredness and wrist joint trauma . Too light , and there wo n’t be enough desirableness to drive the nail home .
For ordinary DIYers who do odd jobs around the domicile , a hammer weighing between 16 and 20 troy ounce is unremarkably the best stake . Go toward the lower end of that compass for simple household project and toward the higher ending if you occasionally take on framing or other big projects . Hammers weighing as much as 32 ounces exist , but these are typically for frame - specific job and rarely strictly necessary ( most framer wo n’t even need them ) .
Length
The longer the hammer , the longer the possible swing , which construct impulse for maximum impact . Therefore , a carpenter may use an 18 - column inch hammer for frame and a brusque 16 - inch hammer for cultivation study . DIYers can take after suit , relying on a 16 - inch handle for general use , 18 - column inch for more expression - oriented projects .
Hammers with extra short handles may seem less intimidating , but they are rarely pragmatic and are even passably dangerous in design . Swinging a short hammer brings your handwriting into faithful proximity with the spectacular surface , and that can be a formula for injury if there ’s an mis - bang . Also , with a short hammering , you have to put a lot more force into slay a nail than would otherwise be necessary . Steer percipient of these gimmicks .
Additional Features
Even hammers have their own bell and whistles now . conceive :
Our Top Picks
To aid smash down a definitive solvent on which is the dear hammer for most hoi polloi , we do hands - on testing on several of the most popular and ordinarily usable models . Those listed below travel by all of our tests and for the criminal record , they all feature smooth faces and 16 - inch handles ( except for one ) and are intended for world-wide all - around utilisation .
ThisBob Vila Approvedproduct sway our brand ’s highest level of recommendation .
Bob Vila Approvedrecognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real - world examination and that exemplify core value of the Bob Vila brand , admit workmanship , innovation , and economic value for the dollar sign . Winners of this designation come recommend by our professional recapitulation team and are personally approve by Bob Vila .
Whether hanging a video , nail fence boards into place , building a doghouse for Rover , or make an addition , theEstwing Rip Claw 16 - Ounce Hammeris up to the business . It comes in substantial forged steel with a seismic disturbance - absorbing bobby pin and a unruffled face that wo n’t tear up trimwork during an errant reverse .
The Estwing ’s head and straight handle are one piece , make them ultra - substantial and perdurable without any obvious rickety spot like hammers with wood or fiberglass handles have . Although the handle is alloy , Estwing covers it with a soft rubber traveling bag for jounce soaking up and minimizing fatigue .
The Estwing was our favored hammer in the group . A true joy to employ , it ’s well - equilibrise , absorbs shock well , and is incredibly durable . It drove nail without offspring and removed them with similar ease .
The only downside is that rip claw stick out farther than curving pincer , make water them awkward in cockeyed places like cabinet and stud poker bays — only an issue if you know you ’ll be working in cramped quarters .
Get the Estwing hammer atAmazonandWalmart .
Searching for a trustworthy hammer that will drive a nail or two without ride up the bill ? Check out Craftsman ’s 16 - oz. option . This pounding boast a forge blade heading , a fibreglass handle , and a caoutchouc over - mold grip for consolation and durability .
Photo: Tom Scalisi
In examination , we found that it perform every task well , including drive and removing nail . It also absorbed shock absorber well , and the red blueprint makes it hard to misplace on a problem site . The only concern we found during testing is the hatchet - way handle features an exaggerated curve . This made the grip find smaller and likely is n’t necessary for a 16 - ounce cock , though some might prefer it .
Get the Craftsman hammer atAce Hardware , WalmartandAmazon .
When it get to projection like construction and framing , a heavier hammering like this one from Stanley is a borderline necessity , and this 20 - ounce example pile a luck of biff . Primarily due to its weight and all - steel promontory , we found that it drove nails significantly better than most others we tested . The fiberglass care and rubber grip engulf shock absorber well ( even when strike heavy frame nails ) , and at 17 column inch , this hammer ’s straight hold is long than most , which supply a good deal of helpful added leverage .
Photo: Tom Scalisi
Get the Stanley power hammer onAmazon .
Best for Light-Duty
Stalwart 75-HT3000 16 oz Natural Hardwood Claw
Anyone throwing together a first - time tool outfit should take a look at this power hammer from Stalwart . It features a hardwood handle for a traditional approach path to electric shock assimilation ( which it does well ) , and its curving claws are idealistic for working in plastered quad .
Unfortunately , the wooden hold is epoxied to the head , which means it ’s potential to take and replace the handgrip if need be . That said , epoxy does a good job of keeping the two pieces together , even if it ’s not as lasting as wedging the handle in space .
The Stalwart surprised us , altogether . We thought it was move to be substandard , but it ’s really a good - caliber hammer . The straight handle absorbed all the daze while driving nail , and the claws did a solid line of removing those nail . Our only worry is the epoxied handle .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Stalwart hammer onAmazonand atWalmart .
Best Fiberglass
Amazon Basics Fiberglass Handle Claw Hammer – 20 oz.
fibreglass handgrip have the discrete ability to absorb shock while still being strong enough to remove obstinate nails , and this model from Amazon Basics is no exception . It boast a forged brand head , a fibreglass hold , and a rubber grip .
We were downright surprised by this hammer . We look it to be low-toned - quality , but it ’s a passably heavy - responsibility cock , specially at the 20 - troy ounce crisscross . That might be too heavy for some , but it ’s a reasonable all - around weight unit for a worldwide - purpose tool . Also , the square handle ’s simple design felt comfortable in handwriting , thanks to a India rubber grip and simple , flared knob .
Get the Amazon Basics hammer onAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Grip
IRWIN Fiberglass General Purpose Claw Hammer, 16 oz
From a trusted name , this Irwin hammer feature an all - forged steel headway , weigh 16 oz. , and has a fibreglass address with a rubber over - mould for shock absorption . Irwin is do it for the smaller , DIY - centrical tools , and this hammer did n’t let down during testing . The safe clench was one of the most comfortable test , in part because of the hatchet - way grip ’s gentle curve . Just keep in mind that this hammer has rip claws , which can be difficult to expend in close spaces .
Get the Irwin hammer onAmazonand atWalmart .
Our Verdict
Anyone bet for a expert all - around hammer that has the potency to outlast its owner should check out theEstwing Rip Claw 16 - Ounce Hammerfor its forged steel design . However , if it ’s about saving money , theCRAFTSMAN Hammeroffers quite a flake of note value for its small price tag end .
How We Tested the Best Hammers
Testing hammers is n’t rocket science or even an accurate science . We just banged a few nail and then pulled them out . Nearly any hammer can do that ; the pocket-size nuances of each hammer were what we needed to home in on .
To do that : First , we drove a 16D galvanized framing nail into frame in timber and then drove an 8D sinker framing nail right after . While swinging , we took note of which hammer felt the most balanced ( and therefore easiest to hold in ) and which hammers caused more ( or less ) shock absorber . Next , while removing the nail , we lightly discover the handle of each hammer in an open palm a few fourth dimension to further test shock engrossment , as well as effectuality in nail removal .
In the end , we used these nuances to recommend and rate these hammers — or toss them out .
Photo: amazon.com
FAQs
Carpenters and tradespeople can be oddly specific about their hammer preferences , but Estwing is surely one of the most well - regarded and wide used pound brands . The Rockford , Illinois , society has been fabricate deal tools for almost 100 old age .
In ecumenical , the best all - around pound weight is 16 oz. . It can do a turn of framing as well as a spot of light work . If you anticipate only require a power hammer for little thing like tacking up card , a hammer as light as 10 or 12 ounce will do the whoremaster . hard - obligation frame hammers press 22 to 24 ounces , and framing hatchet matter well-nigh 30 Panthera uncia .
big malleus are not necessarily good . A 16 - ounce hammer in the hands of someone who knows how to handle it is far better than a 20 - troy ounce hammer swung by someone without the same degree of skill .
Photo: amazon.com
Everything You Need for a Lush and Healthy Lawn
Keeping your grass green and your plant thriving does n’t just take a green quarter round — it start with the good tools and supplies .
Photo: amazon.com
Photo: amazon.com
