Ball-Pein vs Claw vs Club Hammer - When to Use What
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Not all hammers are made for nails.
Each hammer type has a very specific job - and using the wrong one can damage your work or injure you.
Claw Hammer
This is the classic household hammer.
Used for:
- Driving nails
- Pulling nails
- Woodwork
- Carpentry
- DIY projects
The claw is designed to remove nails without damaging timber.
Ball-Pein Hammer
This is the metalworker’s hammer.
Used for:
- Shaping metal
- Hitting punches
- Working with rivets
- Engineering and mechanics
The rounded pein lets you strike metal without cutting or gouging it.
Never use a claw hammer on metal - it can chip or crack.
Club Hammer
Also called a lump hammer.
Used for:
- Chisels
- Masonry
- Brick and stone
- Heavy demolition
It delivers powerful, controlled blows where accuracy matters.
Which One Should You Use?
Job |
Manner |
| Wood and Nails | Claw Hammer |
| Metalwork | Ball-pein |
| Chisels & Masonary | Club Hammer |
Owning the right hammer means:
- Faster work
- Cleaner results
- Less damage
- Fewer injuries