

The groove in the head is a magnetic nail holder for one-handed nail starting.ġ8-inch handle (similar to shown) $45 Amazon Two-Faced Photo by John Lawton The Striker's exquisitely sculpted 21-ounce head is permanently fastened to its fiberglass handle with epoxy resin, which resists nearly 5,000 pounds of pullout force (wood handles can withstand about 200 pounds) that means you can pound nails in and crank them out again with abandon. Striking plates on the sides (cheeks) of this 14-ounce head can drive nails in tight quarters.ġ5-inch handle About $32 Amazon Nail Starter Photo by John Lawton

Their elongated necks keep knuckles clear of the work, and sharply pointed, steeply sloped claws extract embedded nails in one pull. Slim and lightweight, Japanese finish hammers have a nimbleness well suited to delicate finish work. The rubber grip has a diamond-patterned texture and a "deer's-foot" flare at the end to ensure it won't slip out of a sweaty palm.ġ4-inch handle About $33 Stanley Tools Long Nose Photo by John Lawton

Anti-Vibe Photo by John LawtonĪ "tuning fork" in the handle of this 20-ounce model dissipates impact shocks and vibrations, which can harm joints, muscles, and nerves even if you're not hammering all day long. Its diminutive 6-ounce cousin has a hickory "beaver-tail" handle that fits snugly in your palm when tapping in brads or finish nails (About $14 Lee Valley). The 16-ounce Estwing, right, has a handle sheathed in lacquered leather strips (About $25, Sears). Unlike head-heavy framing hammers, finish hammers are balanced to tap a slender nail without overstriking or bending it. Classic Finish Hammersįor most tasks around the house, a finish hammer is what you need. It has a handle up to 18 inches long, a straight claw for prying apart pieces of wood, a head weighing 20 ounces or more, and a milled face to grip nailheads. Most homeowners can get along quite well with a trusty finish hammer, distinguished by its smooth face, light head (less than 20 ounces), short handle (less than 16 inches), and curved claw for easy nail removal.įor the more muscular work of nailing lumber, a framing (aka, rip) hammer is the way to go. The Romans were the first to hit upon this felicitous combination, and a couple of millennia later it remains an indispensable tool.Īs you might expect with something this old, there are many variations on the claw hammer, but they all fall into one of two groups: finish or framing.
