Hammers and mallets for driving, shaping, assembling and demolishing, from small engineer's hammers to rubber mallets. Our range includes over 130 models, among them GEDORE, WIHA, KWB and STANLEY. The category suits professional tradespeople as well as anyone who needs a hammer only a few times a year.
How to choose a hammer
Purpose. An engineer's hammer is made for metal, chisels and punches, a carpenter's claw hammer suits timber and nails, and a rubber or plastic mallet is used where marks are unacceptable, such as laying paving or tiles and assembling furniture. One hammer rarely suits every job.
Head weight. Light, precise work usually needs only a few hundred grams, while chiselling, driving stakes or demolition calls for a much heavier head. A hammer that is too heavy tires the arm and makes accurate strikes harder.
Handle. A wooden handle absorbs shock and can be replaced, a fibreglass handle is less sensitive to moisture, and a steel handle with a rubber sleeve withstands the heaviest loads. The grip should not slip, even with work gloves on.
Striking face material. A hardened steel head is made for metal and chisels, while rubber, nylon or other soft faces protect the surface being worked. Some mallets have replaceable faces, so one handle can cover several types of job.
Brands we carry
- GEDORE: a German maker of professional hand tools based in Remscheid, with the most models in this category.
- WIHA: best known for screwdrivers and insulated electrician's tools, so its hammers often join a matching tool set.
- KWB: a German maker of hand tools and accessories aimed at home DIY users.
- STANLEY: an American manufacturer known since 1843 for hand tools, especially hammers and measuring tools.
- BOSCH and DEWALT: known first of all for power tools, so their hammers sit alongside the same makers' drills and drivers.
- HALDER: specialises in soft-faced mallets and hammers with replaceable faces.
- KS TOOLS: a German maker of workshop and car repair tools.
- FISKARS: a Finnish manufacturer known for axes and garden tools with orange handles.
Also in our range: BRÜDER MANNESMANN, CIMCO and C.K Tools.
Frequently asked questions
Which hammer should I choose for home repairs?
For home repairs, a medium-weight claw hammer with a head of a few hundred grams is usually enough. It drives nails and pulls out bent ones. For tiles or furniture assembly, it is worth having a rubber mallet as well.
What is the difference between a rubber mallet and a steel hammer?
A rubber mallet has a soft striking face, so it leaves no dents and does not damage finishes. A steel hammer transfers the full force of the blow and is meant for nails and chisels. It is best not to use a steel hammer on furniture parts or paving.
Which is better, a wooden or a fibreglass hammer handle?
It depends on the job and the conditions. Wood absorbs shock well and can be replaced, while fibreglass copes better with moisture and temperature changes. If the hammer lives in a garage or outdoors, fibreglass is the more practical option.
How do I use a hammer safely?
Check that the head is firmly fixed to the handle and wear safety glasses before you start. Strike squarely with the flat face, holding the handle near its end. Never strike one steel hammer with another, as hardened steel can throw off fragments.
