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Get the Best Hammers for Your Toolbox
Every good carpenter needs a versatile toolbox, and every handy toolbox needs a good hammer. Needless to say, every avid DIY-er and professional handyman is constantly on the hunt for a robust hammer that can help them tackle even the hardest of projects. Not only will a healthy and heavy-duty hammer help you take care of business more efficiently and effectively, but possessing a durable hammer can also allow you to work with the same hammer for years without requiring a replacement. That being said, a good investment can be tricky to spot. We curated a thorough review of the best hammers of 2024, like the VEITORLD Multitool Hammer, to help you acquire a shiny new hammer that can help you with your carpentry and domestic projects.
View all ContentsThe Best Hammers of 2024
Best Overall
The VEITORLD Multitool Hammer isn’t your average hammer. It’s a compact yet highly versatile tool. Adept at fitting inside just about any toolbox, don’t let yourself be deceived by its small size. This multitool encapsulates functionality that reaches beyond expectations. It’s the perfect gift for gadget lovers who appreciate an all-in-one tool that is efficient, reliable, and multifunctional.
This hammer multitool not only hammers nails but it also transforms effortlessly into a saw, a knife, a wire cutter, pliers, and so much more. All these features are neatly tucked into one portable device, making it our top choice.
Pros
- Compact and multi-functional tool
- Durable and sturdy construction
- Personalizable engraving option
Cons
- Bits might fall out when in use
Incredibly Durable
The Craftsman hammer is an incredibly durable and robust option. So durable in fact, that this product has snagged our coveted ‘best overall” award, owing to its amazing value and rugged construction. Since the craftsman hammer is made from fiberglass, it offers immense overstrike protection, especially with the fiberglass handles which would be incredibly vulnerable to breaking otherwise. Additionally, this hammer also provides an over-mold grip, giving users a better grip while striking. The craftsman hammer has two sides, allowing for both hitting surfaces as well as driving and pulling nails from walls and wood. Moreover, this product also comes in a brilliant scarlet red color sure to brighten up any toolbox and look great on display.
Pros
- Fiberglass offers immense durability
- The over-mold grip provides remarkable grip during use
- Driver is ideal for pulling and driving nails
- Available in a bright red color
Cons
- Not especially lightweight
Most Compact
The RAK Hammer is an amazing tool for people who love to do DIY projects. This multitool hammer includes a wide variety of useful tools, including a hammer, pliers, serrated knife, saw, wire cutter, prying claw, nail file, bottle opener, and flat and Phillips head screwdrivers. All of these tools can come in handy when taking on any project.
This multitool hammer is made of hardened stainless steel, making it sturdy enough to handle tough jobs of any kind. It also features a safety lock that helps prevent accidents or injury. Additionally, the multitool hammer has a lightweight and compact design that makes it extremely portable and convenient. It takes up very little space in a suitcase or backpack, allowing you to be prepared for anything that may come up.
Pros
- Lightweight and small
- Multiple functions all in one tool
- High quality for its size and price
- Makes a great gift
Cons
- Blades are not replaceable
Sturdy Design
The Spec Ops Hammer is an impressive and useful tool to have in any work or home environment. It is ideal for precision hammering and getting into tight spaces, thanks to its 25% lighter head. This makes it perfect for those times when you need a swing that is light, yet still capable of delivering the power needed for a job. The ballistically balanced design of the hammer ensures maximum striking power, while the shock-absorbing Moa Grip provides not only precision accuracy but also less sting after use.
The added bonus of this hammer is the rubber mallet cap, which allows for non-marring protection. This means that while using this hammer users can rest assured that whatever they are working on will remain unscathed. It also has a sturdy and durable handle that is designed to last. Not to mention, a portion of the purchase price will be donated to charity, helping veterans in need.
Pros
- Durable handle
- Sturdy design
- Ideal for tight spaces
Cons
- Can rust quickly
Durable Construction
This hammer is made from drop-forged alloy steel that has been heat-treated for the ultimate in strength and resilience. The hammerhead has two sides, including a striking side and a claw side that can be used for driving and pulling out nails. Additionally, the claw end is sharpened and curved, providing optimal nail pulling leverage. This hammer’s striking polished rust-preventing finish also boosts the longevity of the tool, making it a lot more durable in the face of any kind of weather. The Efficere hammer also has a built-in magnetic nail holder for making nailing much more efficient and allowing for one-handed application. Additionally, the ergonomic and handy anti-vibration handle offers extra non-slip grip as well as added comfort, making tasks easier.
Pros
- Made from a drop-forged alloy steel material
- Includes a sharpened claw end for more effective nail driving
- Polished with a rust preventative finish for optimal durability and longevity
- Provides an ergonomic non-slip handle for maximum grip and comfort
Cons
- Smaller than other hammers
Most Ergonomic
The Irwin hammer is constructed from forged steel, offering better resistance and durability. This hammer is ideal for long-term use due to its ultra-comfortable pro touch grip, keeping your hands from tiring after hours of work. Not only is the smooth face great for not leaving marks on surfaces, but this product’s fiberglass construction helps with absorbing any vibration and minimizing fatigue. And, the handle adopts a unique hybrid design, rounded for additional comfort. Plus, the base is curved, helping to prevent slippage as well as hardened with an end cap. Like most standard hammers, this one also provides users with two heads, all while staying at a very economical price point.
Pros
- Made from forged alloy steel offering resilience
- The ultra-comfortable pro touch grip is ideal for prolonged periods of use
- Smooth head face for minimal marks on surfaces
- The rounded handle base prevents slippage
- Available at an inexpensive price point
Cons
- Does not include a magnetic nail holder
Elite Design
The Stalwart hammerhead is constructed from a drop-forged steel material that has been heat-treated for added durability. The head is attached to a polished hardwood handle that has been finished with robust epoxy, ensuring great durability and longevity. And, the polished hardwood handle has been specifically contoured to comfortably fit your hand, while the handles’ anti-vibration properties help with reducing fatigue – minimizing stress and the chances of injury. This hammer’s lightweight design makes it the ideal tool for easy everyday jobs that require a light touch. The lightweight construction also allows this product to become perfectly balanced in your hands, promoting easier and more efficient work. The chiseled claw of the Stalwart hammer also allows users plenty of leverage with its deep curve, which is incredibly useful at extracting stubborn nails and tacks.
Pros
- The head is made from heat-treated and drop-forged steel, promoting durability and longevity
- Includes a polished epoxy handle for optimal resilience and vibration absorption
- The wooden handle has been contoured to comfortably fit in your hands
- Offers a lightweight design for perfect balance and grip
- The chiseled claws’ deep curve provides immense leverage for pulling out nails and tacks
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy-duty work
Most Affordable
This Amazon Basics hammer is ideal for a wide variety of uses. This hammer’s curved claw head can be used for driving and pulling out nails, while the flat side of the hammerhead is perfect for striking hard blows and producing immense impact. This product incorporates a contoured fiberglass handle, promoting comfort and a strong grip. The fiberglass handle also helps with dampening vibrations, minimizing physical stress. Additionally, this hammer provides a balanced weight for efficient and comfortable use. Overall, the Amazon Basics hammer is ideal for most jobs including woodworking, construction, home DIYs, as well as different kinds of domestic and professional maintenance and repair projects.
Pros
- Includes a curved claw side great for driving and prying out nails
- Offers a contoured fiberglass handle providing comfort
- Balanced weight for efficient and prolonged use
Cons
- No color options
Buying Guide: Hammers
A Buying Guide to the Ultimate Hammers
Although simple household tools, buying the right hammer for a job can get tricky at times. With all the various features and builds available, it can be hard to know which one to buy. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a guide for helping you find your best for your particular needs. In this guide, we’ll be discussing things like durability, materials, and grip, while also tackling subjects like ergonomics and the features you should look for in a high-quality hammer. To learn about these considerations and much more, tag along as we explore some of the key points for helping you find the perfect hammer.
Hammers: A Brief History
This may not come as a surprise, but hammers have been in use for around 3.3 million years. Although the metal versions came into practice much later on, folks still used “hammers” in the form of rocks or stones used to splinter materials like flint, creating sharp cutting tools.
Early hammers were predominantly made without handles, makeshift handles were usually things like sticks, leather strips, or animal sinew. This was a major shift in the middle of the Stone Age. After some time, handles were introduced, providing much better control and minimizing accidents. This made hammers an extremely popular tool for building as well as defense. Some evidence even suggests hammers might be the oldest tool backed by substantial archaeological study.
Metal came into the picture more than 20 thousand years later. Hammers were then specialized for performing certain tasks like blacksmithing and mining. Some hammers were even built to be used in battle, known as war hammers. As further specialization took place, many other hammer models came into being, such as claw hammers which are still frequently used today. It can be said that hammers haven’t changed all that much compared to other tools, however, ancient hammers look very different from their modern counterparts and are not nearly as advanced as the hammers we use today.
Factors To Consider When Buying Hammers
Weight
It is important to consider the weight of the hammer you’ll be purchasing. The weight of the hammer is directly correlated with its maneuverability as well as its strength and power. For example, although lightweight hammers grant you perfect hand balance, and will be easy to control, they won’t deliver blows nearly as hard as heavy-duty hammers. Heavy hammers may be a bit harder to control than lighter hammers, however, they can easily and efficiently drive nails into hard surfaces and boards. Whichever hammer you chose to buy, make sure it’s a model you can swing easily and is also comfortable to use for prolonged periods of time.
Durability
The durability of a hammer is directly tied to the material used in its construction. You’ll want to make sure to invest in high-quality, preferably drop-forged material that has been heat-treated for added durability, strength, and resilience. Apart from the head material, you’ll also want to look at the handle’s construction. If you want to invest in a hammer with a wooden handle, make sure to buy one that has been finished with an anti-rust polish and an epoxy resin covering.
Grip
A decent handle grip can work wonders for people with sweaty hands. Little control and a loose grip can lead to accidentally hitting a fingernail instead of a nail. Generally speaking, most fiberglass and steel hammers provide a substantial amount of grip compared to wooden versions. Carpenters typically roughen handles of wooden hammers with a bit of sandpaper to increase friction, making them more comfortable and safer to use.
Hammer materials
The main aim of a good hammer should be to feel comfortable in your hand and provide a decent grip, preventing the tool from slipping and causing accidents. They should also absorb shocks well, in addition to being strong enough to not break into pieces with a heavy blow. There are a variety of hammer materials on the market, however, some of the most common ones include fiberglass, wood, and steel.
Steel hammers are typically more durable and tend to deliver more powerful blows than other versions. For heavy-duty construction work, opt for hammers that are either entirely made of steel, from head to base, or invest in a hammer with just a steel handle. Hammers constructed in one single piece tend to be heavier and stronger.
Fiberglass is not only lighter than steel, but it’s also dramatically better at absorbing shocks and vibrations, allowing shocks to be nullified that would otherwise travel from the hammer into your arm and hand. Believe us, this gets old fast.
You’ll be able to find wooden hammers at both economical and high-end price points, these hammers are typically constructed from hardwoods like hickory and are great at absorbing vibrations and shocks. A downside of wooden hammers is they tend to be more vulnerable to splitting and snapping than their sturdier counterparts.
Ergonomic features
When shopping for a hammer, it’s good to look for some bonus features boosting both performance and efficiency. Some hammers come with nail starters, and small grooves with magnets used for holding nails as you work. Hatchet-style handles are slightly curved at the bottom and tend to provide a more firm and natural grip.
People Also Ask
What hammer length is ideal for framing?
Carpenters typically use 18-inch hammers for framing.
What are rip-claw hammers?
Rip-claw hammers are used for heavy-duty demolition work like ripping off headers.
What steel are hammers made of?
Steel hammers are constructed from carbon steel.
