The Best Hammer

If you’re buying the right hammer, you should only need to do it once. That’s crucial, because not much gets done around the house without one. Pictures don’t get hung, unwanted nails stay stuck in pieces of wood and almost any carpentry project becomes unworkable.

We all know what a standard household hammer looks like, and on the surface, there’s not much to the basic design: A sturdy metal striking face, encased in a wood or fiberglass handle. But there are many variations on this design, and picking the right one for the task is essential.

For hanging those paintings or almost anything to do with standard wood nails, you need a claw hammer. These are the most popular types for use around the house, with a smooth striking face that is flat or slightly convex. Some prefer a waffled pattern on the face, and these are known as framing hammers. The pattern does help the hammer land more solid blows on the nail head, and it’s best suited for heavier work. Claw hammers can range in weight from 10 to 20 ounces, with a sweet spot around 16 ounces for most household jobs. Framing hammers tend to be at least 2 ounces heavier.

Whether you’re driving nails or pulling them out with the claw, a solid grip is key. Traditional wood handles are fine for light work, and they will help to absorb some of the shock from repeated blows. But for heavier jobs and general longevity, many handymen prefer a steel or fiberglass handle. Rubber grips on this type of handle will help you keep a firm grasp.

Those general rules for handle material apply to most any other kind of hammer as well, such as the ball-peen hammer. This type has the same flat face but is equipped on the other end with a metal ball (called a peen) instead of a claw. This is a metal worker’s tool, used for driving punches or hardening metal, among other jobs. Depending on the use, ball-peen hammers may need to be as light as 4 ounces or as heavy as 32 ounces.

Remember, no matter what type of job you’re taking on, buy for durability first. The first time a hammer handle breaks on you will probably be the last time you buy cheap.

• Most of the wear and tear on a hammer won’t come from striking nails — it’ll come from pulling them. If you’re using a standard hammer (especially one with a wood handle), reconsider using it to pull nails longer than 2 inches. For that, you may want to invest in a prybar or nail puller.
• Another common type of hammer is the sledgehammer or club hammer. The wider face and heavier head on these tools reflect their primary use: Driving stakes, breaking up masonry or generally hitting things that need to be hit hard. You’ll need less of a firm grip with this type of hammer, but you will need a longer handle. The key is to swing wide and let the weight do all the work.