Whether you have a passion for DIY, a flair for carpentry or are a professional handyman, you’ll know that having the right tools for the job is incredibly important. Choosing the right tools, for those in the know, is a fairly straight forward task;
axes are for chopping,
wrenches are for tightening and
glue guns are for sticking materials together. Easy.
Unfortunately, not all tools are this straight forward, this claim being no more accurate than in the case of the trusty hammer. Now, at this point you might be thinking,
”Of course I know what a hammer is for! Don’t be foolish!”, and you would be correct… in some cases. Not all hammers, however, are created equal. This is especially true for the daddy of all hammers: the dead-blow hammer.
Dead-blow hammers are specifically designed to dislodge a material that’s in a particularly narrow space without causing damage to the surrounding materials. They’re also used for hammering more delicate metals that are prone to marring due to the hammers ability to create a fine and precise finish. Many dead-blow hammers have a hollow head that’s either filled with sand, lead beads or a steel shot that’ll absorb the energy of a hammer strike without rebound or damage to the surrounding materials. Moreover, dead-blow hammers are often made from a flexible material such as plastic or rubber with hard, non-slip handles for both safety and sturdiness. There are, however, more traditional designs of dead-blow hammer available in either wooden, metal or fiberglass materials if this is something you would prefer.
If you’re in the automotive repair industry then a dead-blow hammer is ideal for removing small parts such as hubcaps or working on a painted surface. Normal hammers often damage the paintwork of polished surfaces and scratch easily; this isn’t the case with a dead-blow hammer. This also makes them ideal for artwork, photograph frames or delicate carpentry. If you have a passion for woodworking then a dead-blow hammer is also perfect for tapping in pegs, joints or wooden materials joined together with glue. Even plumbers can use these handy tools for both PVC pipes and drainage uses, with electricians also using dead-blow hammers for in-between framing boards or for long electrical wires.
When choosing the best dead-blow hammer for you this is going to depend on what you are using the hammer for. Dead-blow hammers come in a range of sizes from small 6 ounce hammers to larger 2 pound models, with smaller hammers being more suited for tighter spaces. You can also purchase dead-blow hammers that don’t have a handle at all which are ideal for particularly tight spots. A good idea when purchasing a dead-blow hammer is to pick a product made from a softer material than the one you’re working on. This is where a dual-face dead-blow hammer comes in handy as it allows you to swap the head of the hammer depending on the kind of material you’re hitting.
Price
When it comes to the cost of your new dead-blow hammer you can expect to pay anywhere between $15 to $115, depending on the size of the hammer set, what the product is made from and the size of the product. Dead-blow hammers at the lower end of this scale tend to be smaller in size and weigh around 15-20 ounces; it’s also more likely that they’re only a one piece set. Larger hammers will fall at the higher end of this scale weighing 30 ounces and over, and they also tend to include more than one hammer or a dual-face system that makes them interchangeable.
Hammers made from steel or aluminum also tend to be a bit pricier in comparison to wooden or nylon products as they’re more durable and are less likely to mar or damage surrounding materials. Cheap dead-blow hammers are available ($13 or lower) but be aware that these types of products often don’t last as long as more expensive hammers and can be damaged easily after repeated use.
Features
When it comes to choosing the best dead-blow hammer for you this is going to depend entirely on the type of material you’re using it on as well as price range and your own personal preferences. There are a few handy features, however, that we recommend keeping an eye out for to ensure you choose the best possible product for you.
Here are some key features to look for:
- Dual-head system
- Hammers in a set
- Head filled with lead shot or sand
- Easy-grip rubber handle
Construction and Design
A feature we recommend looking for in your new dead-blow hammer is a product that includes a dual-head system. This basically means that the hammer’s head is interchangeable and will allow you to work on a variety of different materials using one tool. It also means that the product can fit in a range of different spaces without the need to purchase another hammer size. If, however, you aren’t all that keen on a dual-head system then we highly recommend purchasing a dead-blow hammer set instead. Although more expensive, each hammer is often cheaper individually in a set and will allow you to work on a variety of different materials in different spaces easily and efficiently.
When it comes to construction and design, dead-blow hammers that feature a head filled with either lead shot or sand truly trump the rest. This is because the filled cavity in the head will absorb the energy of the hammer and prevent rebound as well as damage or marring to the surrounding materials you’re using. If you’re working on a particularly delicate material then this feature is a must!
Finally, we recommend selecting a dead-blow hammer that features an easy-grip rubber handle. This might seem obvious, but it allows you more stability and control of the hammer for a more precise and accurate hit. If you’re using the product for some time it’s also a lot softer on your hands and will prevent any nasty sores from developing.
Performance and Ease of Use
When it comes to caring for your new dead-blow hammer there really isn’t much to it. They are, after all, hammers and purposefully built to take a bit of a bashing. As long as you keep the product clean after use then you should have no problems at all in this department. Those who have selected a dual face hammer, the hammer heads simply screw on and off with a few turns so no major assembly is really required. If you’ve selected a wooden based product then try not to let the hammer get too wet as this could cause mold and fungus to develop in the long term.
If you’re looking for a dead-blow product that really stands out from the rest then we highly recommend selecting a dual-face product with a filled head cavity. This will make the product MUCH easier to use, prevent damage and allow you to use the hammer in a variety of spaces, getting you as much bang for your buck as possible!
We’re hoping that after reading through our buying guide you now have a better understanding about what sort of dead-blow hammer is most suitable for you and your work as well as the different features that matter the most to you. This will make it a LOT easier when it comes to narrowing down your options and ensuring you choose the ideal hammer for your needs. So let’s check out our top 5 picks shall we?
Features
Tekton is a tool brand for those who have a passion for high-quality DIY’ing! Its skilled, organized and innovative tools are perfect for those who care about the details. Tekton’s hand tools are a firm favorite amongst its customers due to their top-quality, perfectionist design.
We are big fans of Tekton’s Dead-Blow Hammer Set due to its large size, multiple buying options and great reviews on Amazon! This set includes 3 steel-shot hammers in sizes 16, 32 and 48 ounces. Don’t need all three, or need a different weight? You can purchase this particular Tekton dead blow hammer individually, in your choice of 16, 24, 32, 48 or 64 ounces.
These hammers eliminate post-strike rebound and transfer the energy of each blow directly into the work piece itself. Moreover, Tekton’s hammers require fewer blows and reduce the likelihood of deforming the piece you are working on. Their high-impact poly jackets incase the all-steel head and handle of the hammers entirely, giving a firm strike and preventing marring in softer metals. The handle also contains a diamond tread pattern for a non-slip grip and better precision.
Fingers crossed, by now you’ve found the perfect dead-blow hammer for you and are now planning all the new things you can do with your trusty new tool! If, however, this isn’t the case then don’t worry! We’ve purposely chosen brands that not only provide the best dead blow hammers in the market today, but also offer a wide variety of products. Simply browse through the brands’ other products to find the best dead-blow hammer for you!
