Buying guide for Best sledgehammers
A sledgehammer seems like a pretty simple piece of equipment – until you start shopping for a new one.
It turns out there are all sorts of sledgehammer options on the market today. There are different materials to choose from, different head and handle combinations, different weights, and prices that run the gamut. Unless you're a demolition professional, choosing the right sledgehammer is a surprisingly complicated task. Learning a few key details can help you cut through the confusion and choose the best tule for your job.
Sledgehammer components
There aren't many components to a sledgehammer: just a handle and a head. Nevertheless, the composition of those two items varies enormously and has a massive impact on your decision.
Sledgehammer handle materials
Wood is the traditional sledgehammer handle material, particularly ash and hickory.
Pros:
- Wood feels good in the hand, and it has the flexibility to absorb some of the impact shock.
- When cared for properly, it's also fairly durable.
Cons:
- Problems with wooden handles stem from the fact that sledgehammers take lots of abuse.
- Wooden handles will splinter or crack if not looked after. They're also prone to damage from debris.
You don't always need the biggest sledgehammer. Using a 20-pound tool on drywall is overkill. A three- to five-pound tool will do the job more quickly, and you'll use less energy.
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Fiberglass is often touted as a lighter, tougher alternative to wood – but if you’re considering this option, it's important to check the actual weight of the handle first. Cheap fiberglass handles can actually be heavy.
Pros:
- High-quality fiberglass has good durability and resistance to damage.
- Its flexibility is similar to that of wood, so you benefit from some inherent shock absorption.
Cons:
- Poor-quality fiberglass is the exact opposite of the good stuff. It's heavy — like dead weight in the hand — and in extreme cases, it can shatter.
Steel is an extremely durable material, and it has come a long way from being a big old rusty metal bar.
Pros:
The modern steel sledgehammer handle is very strong and resistant to damage. Most are covered with some kind of rubber or nylon that may be sculpted for better grip.
Advanced models are constructed from numerous bars bound together, or laminated, reducing the weight. Some even have built-in shock-absorbing systems.
Cons:
Steel-handled sledgehammers can be extremely tough, but “unbreakable” claims should always be taken with a grain of salt.
High-tech sledgehammer handles are expensive.
"Many sledgehammer handles have what's called overstrike protection. Overstrike protection usually comes in the form of a reinforced area just below the head. The area is designed to absorb impact in the event that you overreach and bring the handle down on the target instead."
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Sledgehammer handle length
In general, sledgehammer handles are 36 inches long. It's a length that suits most people. If you want a shorter handle, some high-end manufacturers offer 24-inch and 30-inch alternatives. These are also available from suppliers of replacement sledgehammer handles. If you're working in a confined space, a small sledgehammer with a 12- or 15-inch handle may be a viable alternative.
Sledgehammer head shape
Surprisingly, sledgehammer heads are not all same the shape. Some have a flat face, which is good for knocking in fence posts but not so good for breaking concrete. Some are slightly domed, making them more dual-purpose in nature. And some have two different faces — one flat and the other wedge-shaped to focus destructive force.
Never use a sledgehammer with a damaged handle, no matter how minimal the damage might seem. Replace it immediately.
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Sledgehammer head materials
Almost all sledgehammer heads are made of forged or drop forged steel. The handle is made by pounding a basic lump of steel into shape with huge hammers or presses. In the process, it becomes very hard – about 30% harder than cast steel.
Some sledgehammer heads are coated in urethane or a similar plastic material. The purpose of this coating is to make the sledgehammer safe to use in areas where sparking could be a concern.
They also come in a variety of colors for greater visibility. Notably, the color of a sledgehammer head does not reflect how well it works.
Did you know?
Never bang hammer heads together. The heads could crack or shatter.
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Sledgehammer head weight
Sledgehammer heads come in lots of different weights. In this way, you can buy a tool specific to a particular job.
For your safety
Check your sledgehammer before each use. Is the head firmly fixed to the handle? Is the handle free from damage?
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How much does a good sledgehammer cost?
We would avoid the cheapest sledgehammers for safety reasons. Due to poor construction, the handle could split or break too easily, and in rare instances, the head could shatter.
3- to 5-pound sledgehammers
You can get a good, durable sledgehammer of three to five pounds for $15 to $20.
10-pound sledgehammer
A high-quality, 10-pound sledgehammer from a well-known brand will likely cost you from $50 to $70. In this price bracket, you have an enormous choice, from traditional hickory-handled models to those with built-in shock-resistance and alternate faces.
20-pound sledgehammer
Professional-grade sledgehammers in the 20-pound range can cost upwards of $150. If you’re going to use it a lot, however, it's probably a worthwhile investment. High-quality tools of this nature will give a lifetime of service in very tough conditions.
Choosing the right sledgehammer
When you're shopping for a sledgehammer, you face an almost bewildering selection of weights, sizes, and materials. If you’re struggling to make a choice, remember that it all boils down to a simple question: what job do you need the sledgehammer for most of the time?
If you're taking out an old kitchen or doing modest remodeling inside your house, a three- to five-pound tool with a handle length between one and two feet will cope with most close-up tasks, and you'll be able to manage it for reasonable periods of time.
"If you need to knock down a brick garage or break up large areas of concrete, you need plenty of weight and a good length of handle to deliver as much destructive force as possible."
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Tips for better striking
Follow these tips to optimize your sledgehammer strikes:
Keep both feet at the same level, and place your left foot slightly in front of your right.
Concentrate on where you want to strike. Focus on the target, not the hammer head.
Think about swinging the head onto the target in a smooth arc.
Don't “choke” the hammer by placing your hands too close to the head.
Don't try to drive the head. Instead, allow its weight and momentum to do the work.
If you can't hit the same place twice, you're probably forcing it. Try to relax.
Always wear gloves and protective goggles when demolishing with a sledgehammer. Wear a face mask in dusty environments.
Make sure you've got plenty of room to swing your sledgehammer without obstruction – and make sure the area is clear of children and pets. A distraction could cause serious injury.
Never over-stretch. If you're struggling to reach your target, you are off balance and could hurt yourself badly.
Never practice swinging a sledgehammer on an old tire; the recoil could surprise you and cause serious injury. It's a training method used by bodybuilders, but it takes practice.
To judge the correct distance to the object you want to strike, rest the sledgehammer head on the target and move back until you have a comfortable grip on the handle.
Most sledgehammers need little maintenance, but always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
