Top 3 Best Claw Hammers

Dating back to more than 2,000 years, hammers are known to be one of the oldest tools in the world. The modern types of hammers are designed to offer impact to another object with added efficiency. Many of the hammers on the market are for driving nails. However, there are different kinds of hammers that can be used for other tasks.

In this guide, we look at the best claw hammers that are used in many DIY projects at home or work.

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• Top 3 Best Claw Hammers 2018

1. Maxcraft 60626 8-oz. Stubby Claw Hammer – The Best Claw Hammer For DIYers
2. Stanley 51-624 20-Ounce Rip Claw Fiberglass Hammer
3. Estwing Hammer – 12 oz Straight Rip Claw with Smooth Face & Genuine Leather Grip

• Factors to Consider When Buying a  Claw Hammer
• Types of Claw Hammer
• How to Choose the Best Claw Hammer

1. What is the ideal weight and length of a claw hammer?
2. The Material used in making the handle.
3. Between the Rip and the Curve Claw hammer which is the best?

• Conclusion

Top 3 Best Claw Hammer 2018

Here is our choice for the top best claw hammers on the market today:

Maxcraft 60626 8-oz. Stubby Claw Hammer, Black/Yellow

• Full size 8 oz. forged steel claw head
• Magnetic head holds nail for one-handed starting
• Soft, non-slip, contoured handle grip
• Stubby 6 in. length for small jobs or tight work areas

Buy on Amazon

Stanley 51-624 20-Ounce Rip Claw Fiberglass Hammer

• Fiberglass handle absorbs shock and vibration
• Textured rubber ensures a comfortable, secure grip
• Fiberglass handle minimizes vibrations and reduces breakage vs. wood
• Heat treated and rim tempered for durability and safety

Buy on Amazon

ESTWING Hammer - 12 oz Straight Rip Claw with Smooth Face & Genuine Leather Grip - E12S

• RIP CLAW VERSATILITY – Estwing hammers are ideal for pulling nails, prying boards, demolition work, and more. The longer handle provides increased striking power making your job easier.
• BUILT FOR THE PRO – The optimal claw hammer for framers, roofers, carpenters, contractors, tradesman & serious DIYers.
• FORGED IN ONE PIECE – The most durable, longest lasting striking tools available are crafted from a single piece of solid steel and honed into the optimal design for use.
• GENUINE LEATHER GRIP – Hand sanded and lacquered for a durable yet comfortable finish, this handle doesn't have to sacrifice function for timeless style.
• MADE IN THE USA – Since 1923, our tools have been proudly American made in Rockford, IL using only the finest American steel.

$37.38

Buy on Amazon

1. Maxcraft 60626 8-oz. Stubby Claw Hammer – The Best Claw Hammer For DIYers

The Stubby Claw hammer is ideal for tight work areas and small jobs. Due to its small size (8 oz.) the forged steel claw hammer can comfortably fit into any tool box or bag and even in your kitchen drawer. Its magnetic head can hold the nail, hence an efficient one-handed starting. It offers a soft grip that is non-slip. The stubby claw hammer weighs the same as most of the other claw hammers on the market making it no lightweight for tough jobs.

The best thing about this small, but sturdy hammer is its ability to function in very small spaces. It delivers the same performance as larger hammers due to its full-sized head.

Maxcraft 60626 8-oz. Stubby Claw Hammer, Black/Yellow

• Full size 8 oz. forged steel claw head
• Magnetic head holds nail for one-handed starting
• Soft, non-slip, contoured handle grip
• Stubby 6 in. length for small jobs or tight work areas

Buy on Amazon

2. Stanley 51-624 20-Ounce Rip Claw Fiberglass Hammer 

The Stanley hammer comes in different sizes including 7 ounces, 16 ounces, and 20 ounces. The hammer offers a secure and comfortable grip thanks to the textured rubber. There is maximum shock absorption and vibration when using the hammer, thanks to the Fiberglass handle. The fiberglass handle also reduces the breakage versus wood. The Stanley Hammer has a tempered rim and is heat treated to guarantee maximum safety and durability. The hammer has a yellow color, hence it’s very easy to locate it in a working or construction environment.

The hammer is stable and is of high quality. The Stanley hammer is also very affordable. The size is more significant compared to the Stubby hammer. Some users might find the hammer to be a little too heavy, especially when swinging it. The hammer is very efficient when it comes to pulling out nails. The V-shaped gap on the claw hammer is around 1 3/8″ long, while the wider end is 3/8″, and it tapers to the narrowest point of approximately 1/16″. All in all, it’s a very reliable full sized hammer.

Stanley 51-624 20-Ounce Rip Claw Fiberglass Hammer

• Fiberglass handle absorbs shock and vibration
• Textured rubber ensures a comfortable, secure grip
• Fiberglass handle minimizes vibrations and reduces breakage vs. wood
• Heat treated and rim tempered for durability and safety

Buy on Amazon

3.Estwing Hammer – 12 oz Straight Rip Claw

This hammer is designed explicitly for most DIY projects. It offers a long-lasting strike and is very durable. The Estwing hammer provides great claw versatility when it comes to usage. It has a leather handle, hand sanded and offers a very firm group when being used. This hammer uses the traditional design of hammers and offers unsurpassed balance.

One of the most durable hammers in the market, even though the grip will be initially slippery, after breaking in, you will have a very firm grasp. The grip on the hammer is long lasting and very comfortable. The other attractive feature about the Estwing hammer is that it has a weight which has been utterly balanced, hence it is easy to make compelling and easy swings. The hammer has a claw end, which functions efficiently and combined with the handle they make a great lever. What users with small hands complained about, is that the handle is too thick. Nevertheless, it’s a functional 5-star hammer.

ESTWING Hammer - 12 oz Straight Rip Claw with Smooth Face & Genuine Leather Grip - E12S

• RIP CLAW VERSATILITY – Estwing hammers are ideal for pulling nails, prying boards, demolition work, and more. The longer handle provides increased striking power making your job easier.
• BUILT FOR THE PRO – The optimal claw hammer for framers, roofers, carpenters, contractors, tradesman & serious DIYers.
• FORGED IN ONE PIECE – The most durable, longest lasting striking tools available are crafted from a single piece of solid steel and honed into the optimal design for use.
• GENUINE LEATHER GRIP – Hand sanded and lacquered for a durable yet comfortable finish, this handle doesn't have to sacrifice function for timeless style.
• MADE IN THE USA – Since 1923, our tools have been proudly American made in Rockford, IL using only the finest American steel.

$37.38

Buy on Amazon

Factors to Consider When Buying a  Claw Hammer

The guide also has essential information, useful when it comes to buying a new claw hammer. First of all its good to understand that there are different types of hammers and all of them have different uses. Below are the standard kinds of hammers you will find in the market:

Framing Hammer: used for driving large nails. Very good for carrying out heavy carpentry work. Compared to the curved or ripping claw hammers they are more substantial with a longer handle. It has added power because of the longer handle and extra weight.

Shingler’s Hammer: used by technicians in cutting and installing roofing materials. Some models have a waffled/serrated face for a better grip on the nail heads. The back part is hatchet shaped for cutting the roofing materials.

Drywall Hammer: used in removing and installing drywall. Other models have been designed with a serrated face like the Shingler’s hammer. It also has a hatchet-shaped like back.

Ball Peen Hammer: mainly used in shaping and bending metal. Weight ranges from 4 ounces to 32 ounces and has a wooden/graphite handle.

Tilesetter’s/ Bricklayer’s Hammer: for brick or tile cutting and setting. The handle is either fiberglass, steel or wooden and weighs between 15 ounces and 24 ounces.

Rubber Mallet: used in assembling the delicate pieces and weighs 12 ounces to 28 ounces. It has a wooden handle, and many models have the bounce resistant/ dead blow head which is non-marring. The bead is either in black color or white.

Drilling/ Engineering Hammer: designed for demolition and heavy hammering. Has steel, fiberglass or wooden glass and weighs between 1 pound and 5 pounds.

Sledgehammer: its primary use is driving pins, wedges, and stakes. Can also be used in demolition. It has fiberglass or a wooden handle and weighs between 8 to 16 pounds.

Claw Hammer: it’s perfect for driving nails from wood and plasterboard.

The different types of hammers show that it’s essential to have the correct tool for your project. The above, different types of hammers all have different uses.

A closer and detailed look at the claw hammer.

Types of Claw Hammer

It’s one of the most commonly used hammers in the world. The claw hammer has a striking face and two prongs. The striking face is for driving in the nails while the claw end, which has the two prongs, is for driving out the nails. Most claw hammers weigh between 8 ounces (225 grams), 16 ounces (450 grams), and 20 ounces (570 grams). The most widespread claw hammers weigh 450 grams. The shaft is made of either steel, fiberglass or hickory. The handles tend to have a wide variety of materials like necessary rubber or even the more advanced anti-shock material. There are two types of claw hammers:

1. Curve Claw Hammer

Used to drive nails and perform general carpentry activities. It offers leverage when driving out the nails. It weighs between 16 ounces and 20 ounces and has a wooden, steel or fiberglass handle.

2. Rip Claw Hammer

Used to drive nails and perform general carpentry activities. It has been designed to rip outboards and weighs between 16 to 25 ounces. The handle is either, wooden, steel or fiberglass.

If you have a good reliable hammer, it’s like having a best friend. The difference that you can get from using a quality hammer cannot be underestimated. In this article, we give you some valuable insights that you can use in getting the best claw hammer for your DIY projects. You don’t need to have any carpentry knowledge, and skills to be able to pick the correct claw hammer for your projects. Claw hammers are not complex tools compared to the other hammers. They are simple tools that are used by DIYers for 99% of their daily activities.

How to Choose the Best Claw Hammer

Despite the simplicity of the claw hammer, you will be shocked at the number of features that play a role in determining the best claw hammer for your project. Even though it’s advisable to try different claw hammers before settling on one, it will only help if you are aware of the metrics you are using in determining the suitability of the hammer. Buyers have the option of picking the traditional type of claw hammers or the more advanced modern designs.

Below are some important factors to take into consideration when picking out the best claw hammer for your project.

What is the ideal weight and length of a claw hammer?

Most beginners and first-time buyers might not know the importance of perfect weight and length of a hammer. The surprising fact is that most of the hammers you find are grouped depending on their weight. The weight of the hammer determines the force or impact delivered by the hammer. Therefore a more substantial head will give a more forceful impact or blow. Simple elementary physics will also remind you that the length of the hammer affects the amount of force in a strike. More extended handles allow the user to swing the claw hammer faster and hence deliver the maximum amount of generated energy. A heavy head combined with a long handle is guaranteed to offer the most significant amount of impact/force. However, be careful since all DIY projects do not necessarily need a big hammer. A big claw hammer cannot be used in small spaces since it will tire your arms. Therefore, when looking at the weight and length of a claw hammer, take into consideration the energy efficiency and practicality of the claw hammer.

The Material used in making the handle.

If you carefully look at the design of any hammer, you will notice that the hammer is forged from one side of the steel or it has a head and a shaft which are joined together. If you are using sledgehammers (they require repetitive and continuous heavy striking) then picking a two piece hammer for light duty use will be the best option. The hammer heads are made from different materials, mainly titanium, general steel or metal. These materials are durable yet lightweight. However, mallets and the sledgehammers sometimes might have rubber or wooden heads. The handles of claw hammers are either made from wood, fiberglass or steel. When picking a claw hammer, make sure the handle is sturdy. You might find models with rubber grips or shock absorbing grips. The non-slip rubber grips offer additional safety.

Between the Rip and the Curve Claw hammer which is the best?

Depending on your DIY project, you might not know whether to pick the rip claw hammer or get the curved claw hammer? Different people have different preferences, and some even say that the curved claw hammer is more efficient when it comes to driving out nails. Well, the rip claw hammers if more reliable when it comes to general uses.

Compared to the curved claw hammer, the rip claw hammer is more of a multi-tool. Apart from pulling nails out, it can be used for splitting, demolition, prying and sometimes digging.  Apart from that, the rip claw can be used when nail starting. Gimmick exercise, but still works. Hold on to the ladder, then start the nail just above its head. Then hammer the nail in. Not a feature that should often be used though.

Conclusion

When you finally decide to buy a claw hammer, you can choose to either go for the traditional models or the more advanced modern models. Remember to consider the efficiency of the tool with regards to the DIY projects you have in mind. Other factors like the face of the hammer will be useful. Most DIYers prefer going for the claw hammers that have a smooth face since it won’t be able to mar the surfaces. Also, the straight rip claw hammer is ideal for general use. Since the market is full of different types of claw hammers, remember that picking the best hammer can be very subjective. Therefore take your time to try out all the available hammers before selecting the best one for your DIY needs.