What a hammer is made of
Most hammers share the same basic parts, and knowing the names makes buying guides easier to follow.
- Head: the heavy metal part that delivers the blow.
- Face: the striking surface of the head. It may be smooth or textured.
- Claw or peen: the opposite end of the head. A claw is used to pull nails. A peen is a shaped end used for shaping metal.
- Neck and eye: the neck joins the head to the handle, and the eye is the opening in the head the handle fits into.
- Handle: usually wood, fiberglass or steel, often with a grip.
If you are asked what you call the head of a hammer, the answer is simply “the head”. Its striking surface is the face.
The main groups of hammers
People often ask for the three types of hammers. There is no single official list, but a useful way to think about it is by job:
- Nailing and carpentry hammers, which drive and pull nails.
- Metalworking hammers, which shape, rivet or strike metal.
- Heavy striking hammers and mallets, which drive stakes, break material, or tap parts together without damaging them.
Specialty hammers, such as the medical reflex hammer used by clinicians, are a separate category and are not general workshop tools.
Hammers for carpentry
Claw hammer
The claw hammer is the common all-round hammer. It has a flat face for driving nails and a curved claw for pulling them. Curved-claw designs are generally suited to pulling nails, while a straighter claw is better for light prying and demolition.
Framing hammer
A framing hammer is usually heavier and longer than a standard claw hammer, with a straight claw. Many have a milled, or waffle, face that grips the nail head. This helps with driving nails in structural work, though the textured face can leave marks, so it is less suitable for finished surfaces.
Trim and finish hammers
Lighter hammers are better for small nails and finish work. Their smaller faces give more control when setting small nails near visible surfaces. A nail set, a type of punch covered in our guide to punch types, is often used to sink the heads below the surface.
Tack and brick hammers
A tack hammer is small and light for tiny nails and upholstery work. A brick hammer has a flat face on one end and a chisel-like blade on the other, used for trimming brick. If you work with brick and block, see our guide to masonry chisel types.
Hammers for metalworking
Ball peen hammer
A ball peen hammer has a flat face on one side and a rounded ball on the other. The ball end is used for shaping and peening metal, for example setting rivets. The flat face is used for general striking. It is not intended for driving nails.
Cross peen and engineer’s hammers
A cross peen hammer has a wedge-shaped peen set across the handle. This is helpful for spreading metal in one direction or working in narrow areas. Engineer’s hammers are commonly of this style or similar.
Using a hammer with punches and chisels
Hardened striking tools such as punches and cold chisels are generally intended to be struck with a hammer designed for metalworking, such as a ball peen or club hammer. A claw hammer is typically not recommended for this, as its face and the tool face can chip. Check the markings and manufacturer guidance for your tools.
Heavy striking hammers
Sledgehammer
A sledgehammer has a large, heavy head on a long handle and is used for demolition, driving stakes and posts, and breaking material. Short-handled versions are sometimes called lump or club hammers, depending on the region.
Club or drilling hammer
A club hammer (sometimes called a lump hammer or drilling hammer) has a short handle and a heavy double-faced head. It is commonly paired with chisels and punches for masonry work.
Mallets and soft-faced hammers
Mallets and soft-faced hammers are designed to move or strike things without marring them.
- Rubber mallets are used for tapping parts, tiles and flooring into place.
- Dead blow hammers have a hollow head filled with shot or similar material to reduce rebound.
- Wooden mallets are often used with wood chisels. Our guide to chisel types describes when a mallet or hand pressure is used.
- Hammers with replaceable faces (nylon, brass, or copper) allow you to swap the face depending on the material.
Handle materials
- Wood (often hickory or similar) absorbs some vibration, is easy to replace, and is a traditional choice.
- Fiberglass is durable and resists weather, and many have a rubber grip.
- Steel handles are strong, often in one piece with the head. Some people find them less comfortable on long jobs unless they have a good grip.
How to choose a hammer
- Match the job. Choose a claw or framing hammer for nails, a ball peen for metal, and a mallet for soft-faced work.
- Consider weight. A heavier head delivers more force but is more tiring. Use a weight you can swing in control.
- Check the grip and length. A longer handle gives more leverage, and a shorter one gives control.
- Look at the face. A smooth face is better for finish work, and a milled face is for rough work.
Safety and care
- Wear eye protection. Hardened surfaces can chip.
- Inspect hammers before use. Do not use a hammer with a loose head, cracked handle, or heavily mushroomed or chipped face.
- Do not strike two hardened hammer faces together.
- Store hammers dry to protect wooden handles and prevent rust.
Related tools
Hammers work together with other hand tools. Our guides to punch types, chisel types and pry bar types cover the tools you will most often use alongside a hammer.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three types of hammers?
There is no single official list. A practical grouping is carpentry hammers, metalworking hammers, and heavy striking hammers or mallets.
What do you call the head of a hammer?
The whole striking part is the head. The flat striking surface is the face, and the other end is the claw or peen.
What is a reflex hammer?
A reflex hammer is a medical instrument used to test reflexes. It is not a workshop hammer, and this guide focuses on hammers for tools and building.