Last updated on September 21, 2021
The best ball peen hammers are debated to have either a steel or wooden handle. The great thing about steel handle ball hammers is that they are much more durable and can be expected to last a lot longer.
Some people like the feel of a wooden handle, as it takes impact well and it’s lighter making it easier to use.
If you are delicately shaping metalwork a wooden handle will give you a little more control. But for bashing and smashing, a steel handle can last a lot longer without breaking in your workshop and still gets the job done comfortably.
People like to get a ball-peen hammer set. It can be handy to have a variety of different sizes and weights for different types of jobs.
Best ball-peen hammer (16-ounce)
#1 Best ball-peen hammer
Estwing ball peen hammer, metal handle, 16-ounce
- A durable striking tool made of one-piece steel.
- Handles a wide variety of jobs from shaping sheet metal to riveting.
- Shock reduction grip reduces impact vibration by as much as 70%.
- None.
#2 Another good steel handle ball peen hammer
Real Steel ball Pein Handle Hammers, steel handle, 16-ounce
- Good build quality.
- Nice handling.
- Grips well even with oily hands.
- The handle could be a bit longer.
#3 Best wooden ball-peen hammer
Vaughan ball Pein hammer, wood handle, 16-ounce
- Durable construction.
- Made from high-quality drop-forged steel.
- Excellent machining and polishing.
- The handle would be better after some sanding and linseed oil.
#4 A fiberglass ball-peen hammer
ABN Ball pein hammer, fiberglass handle, 16-ounce
- Heavy but well-balanced.
- Excellent quality for the price.
- It might be a bit heavy for some.
Best ball-peen hammer (12-ounce)
#1 Best light steel ball peen hammer
Estwing ball-peen hammer, steel handle, 12-ounce
- Durable one-piece construction.
- Has an effective shock reduction grip.
- Comfortable handling even over long periods.
- None.
#2 Best light wooden handle ball peen hammer
Estwing ball pein hammer, wood handle, 12-ounce
- Ideally suited for small projects.
- Comfortable and tight-fitting wooden handle.
- The wooden handle could be more durable.
#3 The Vaughan ball pein hammer
Vaughan commercial ball pein hammer, wood handle, 12-ounce
- Good weight and well-balanced.
- High-quality steel.
- Perfectly machined head and handle.
- The handle may need sanding.
#4 A DIY ABN ball peen hammer
ABN Ball peen hammer, fiberglass handle 12-ounce
- Solid build and construction.
- Comfortable and rugged handle.
- The face is slightly angled.
Heavy ball-peen hammer (24-ounce)
#1 Hardest-hitting ball peen hammer
Estwing ball pein hammer, steel handle, 24-ounce
- Rugged and long-lasting.
- Works well for hammering steel.
- Too big for most jobs.
#2 Hardest hitting wood handle hammer
Vaughan ball pein hammer, wood handle, 24-ounce
- Good quality for the price.
- Nice finish.
- The grip isn’t the most comfortable.
Heaviest ball-peen hammers
#1 Best Klein ball-peen hammer
Klein Tools ball-peen hammer, hickory handle, 32-ounce
- The high-carbon steelhead is very durable.
- Has a precisely beveled face and well-rounded peen.
- The handle is a bit rough.
#2 The heaviest 40lbs ball-peen hammer
Vaughan commercial ball pein hammer, wood handle, 40-Ounce
- The head has a nice rust-resistant black paint finish.
- The hickory handle fits tightly.
- Heavy.
Small ball-peen hammers (8-ounce)
#1 Best small ball peen hammer
Stanley proto ball pein hammer, steel handle 8-ounce
- Features anti-vibe technology that dampens vibrations more effectively.
- It has a textured molded grip that improves control and prevents slippage.
- A bit expensive.
#2 Easy handling small ball peen hammer
Vaughan commercial ball pein hammer, with wooden handle 8-ounce
- The ball heads are perfectly shaped for better control
- Has a nice professional finish.
- Has a well-made hickory handle.
- The handle could use some sanding to prevent blisters.
About ball peen hammers
Ball-peen hammers have a flat face and a ball or peen at the opposite end of the head. They are commonly used for metalwork, including shaping and making copper art, and are often referred to as “machinist’s hammers”.
The heads of most ball hammers are harder than the heads of claw hammers. This makes them less prone to chipping, which is a fairly common occurrence with many hammers.
Ball-peen hammers were traditionally used for riveting. Metalworkers first used the flat side of the head to drive the nail through. The ball end was then used to “peen over” the other end of the rivet.
They can also be used to fold over corners of sheet metal after cutting with your best nibbler drill attachment.
Although pneumatic rivet guns are more commonly used nowadays, ball-peen hammers are still used for peening and shaping metalwork.
And are even used for some smaller metalworking jobs such as jewelry design, and model making.
Parts of a ball-peen hammer
- Handle. The part of the hammer that you grip to swing it. Ball peen hammer handles are commonly made of wood, steel, or fiberglass.
- Grip. Usually made of rubber. This absorbs most of the shock of the impact and is most commonly used in steel hammers.
- Head. The part of the hammer that provides most of the weight of a strike.
- Face. The flat part of the hammer comes in contact with the workpiece.
- Peen. The ball end opposite the face. This is used for riveting and peening work.
- Cheek. Holds the head together and is the primary point of contact between the head and the handle.
- Neck. Connects the head to the handle and provides balance.
- Eye. The part of the head that allows for the insertion of the wooden handle.
Here’s are is a detailed visuals showing all the different hammer parts.
Ball-peen hammer size and weight for specific jobs
Ball-peen hammers come in various sizes and weights. Their flat faces are typically large enough to hammer chisel handles for punching work.
The ball or peen side of the head is just large enough to round off the edges of rivets.
Ball-peen hammers are ideally suited for making gaskets. For such applications, the ball face is used to tap around the edge of the gasket material.
The peened end should, therefore, be large enough to effectively perforate the material.
Ball-peen hammer-heads typically weigh four, eight, sixteen, and 12 ounces. However, there are heads that can weigh as much as 32 ounces.
A heavy head comes in handy when you need to drive cold chisels and punchers. But if you are using your ball-peen hammer to shape metal, a lighter head is the better choice.
You could scar or warp the material if your hammer’s head is too large or heavy.
Conversely, a hammer with a small and light head will give you more control over shaping your metalwork.
While this hammer does these specific jobs, amazingly, there are actually 50 hammer types you probably didn’t know.
What size ball-peen hammer do I need?
Ideally, you will want to have a ball pein hammer set with a good range of sizes to suit whatever job you are working on.
Eight and 12-ounce hammers will probably get the most use among DIYers, but you may also find two- and four-ounce hammers useful on occasion.
If you regularly do cold chisel or punching work, a dependable 12-ounce hammer could be the only tool you need.
If you can only get one ball-peen hammer, I recommend going for a 12-ounce model. This should provide the weight and power you need for most jobs.
If you can afford to get two hammers, I strongly suggest adding a 16-ounce model for even more power, and a lighter one for your small detailed metalwork.
Wooden handle vs. Steel handle
Most ball-peen hammer handles are made of wood or steel.
Each type of material has its benefits and drawbacks, and the choice depends on the application and personal preferences.
Wood is obviously lighter than steel. Hammers with wooden handles are better suited for delicate jobs.
Wood also absorbs impact more effectively than steel, so you can work for longer periods with less pain and discomfort.
The main benefits of steel are strength and durability.
With a steel-handled hammer, you can pound on almost anything without worrying about your hammer breaking apart.
The downside is that much of the force of impact is transferred to your hand, wrist, and arm.
This makes steel-handled hammers less than ideal for long hours of work, but better if you want a tool that lasts a lifetime.
What about fiberglass handles?
If you’re thinking of getting a ball-peen hammer with a fiberglass handle, just don’t. Fiberglass can become brittle and break up over time, especially with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light.
Fiberglass handles are also more difficult to replace than wooden handles, and can’t be modified to fit your grip. I strongly advise going for a wooden or steel-handled hammer instead of one with a fiberglass handle.
What is the best wood for a handle?
Hickory is the most commonly used type of wood for hammers. It is reasonably lightweight but strong and durable and can be modeled and shaped easily to conform to your grip.
If you opt for a wooden-handled hammer because of its ability to absorb impact and recoil, it would be best to get one with a handle made of hickory. Just like what you would expect with the range of Estwing claw hammers.
Picking the best ball-peen hammer
#1 Best 16 oz metalworking hammer
The Estwing 16-ounce ball-peen hammer is an excellent choice if you want the power to handle heavy-duty jobs.
From chiseling to riveting, this powerhouse model delivers the performance and durability that you expect from a state-of-the-art ball-peen hammer.
It is especially capable of shaping sheet metal, punching through dense material, and peening rivets.
The one-piece forged steel construction gives the Estwing 16-ounce unparalleled durability and strength. But it is versatile enough to be used for all types of mechanical work, as well as most DIY tasks.
The handle makes it an absolute joy to use, with thick padding that effectively reduces shock impact
#1 Best 12 oz metalworking hammer
The Estwing 12-ounce ball-peen hammer is forged from a single piece of steel, making it one of the most durable striking tools on the market.
It is well-equipped to handle any task you throw at it, from shaping sheet metal to striking punches. It will even handle most of your chiseling and rivet-peening needs.
Estwing Ball peen hammers are intended specifically for pro metalworkers and machinists, so you can expect the 12-ounce model to handle DIY work without a hitch.
Even though it has a solid steel handle, it remains comfortable during use due to its ability to reduce impact vibration by as much as 70%.
How did ball-peen hammers get their name?
Over the years, many theories have been proposed as to how ball-peen hammers got their name. One unlikely story goes that the tool was invented by a metal worker in France named Jaques Balpien. Another claimed that ‘peen’ stems from the pain caused by hitting the thumb with a hammer.
Still another story states that ‘peen’ is derived from the sound made by the head when it hits the metal.
As colorful as those stories are, the truth is really much simpler. Ball-peen hammers have traditionally been used for ‘peening’. This is the process of bending, shaping, or flattening metal.
It is also interesting to note that “peen” is spelled “pein” in the United Kingdom [1].
Tips for using a ball-peen hammer
Ball-peen hammers are pretty straightforward and simple to use, but you do need to keep a few rudiments in mind.
When gripping the hammer, place your hand about two inches up from the bottom of the handle.
This will give you the most leverage.
If you are shaping metal, tap the area lightly instead of pounding it.
When the metal starts to bend, you can gradually increase your tapping strength.
Work slowly around the metal’s surface, tapping each spot carefully for a more even finish.
If necessary, cover the metal with a piece of cloth to prevent dents and over-shaping.
Ball-Peen hammer comparison
| Estwing 12-ounce (steel)
|
Estwing 12-ounce (wood)
|
Vaughan 12-ounce
|
ABN 12-ounce
|
Estwing 16-ounce
|
Real Steel 16-ounce
|
Vaughan 16-ounce
|
ABN 16-ounce
|
Estwing 24-ounce
|
Vaughan 24-ounce
|
Klein 32-ounce
|
Vaughan 40-Ounce
|
Stanley 8-ounce
|
Vaughan 8-ounce
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (oz.) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 24 | 24 | 32 | 40 | 8 | 8 |
| Lenghth (in.) | 11 | 13 | 12.8 | 11.45 | 13 | 12.75 | 13.75 | 11.75 | 13.5 | 15.5 | 16.3 | 15.75 | 11.6 | 12 |
| Handle material | Steel | wood | Wood | Fiberglass | Steel | Steel | Wood | Fiberglass | Steel | Wood | Wood | Wood | Steel | Wood |
Conclusion
The Estwing 12-ounce ball-pein hammer is an excellent all-arounder that is capable of surprising power and performance.
It is light enough that you won’t mind pulling it out for day-to-day jobs, but it handles most striking punching and peening tasks like a champ. This is easily one of the best ball peen hammers on the market.
The Estwing 16-ounce ball-peen hammer is an excellent choice if you want a more powerful tool for demanding jobs. Although it is still lightweight and very manageable, the 16-ounce weight gives it an added edge for more heavy-duty work.
What about claw hammers? Information on the best framing hammer can be found here.
Estwing ball peen hammer review(16-ounce)
Pros:
- One-piece steel hammer which makes it durable.
- Fits in different jobs such as shaping and riveting metal sheet.
- Less vibration by up to 70%.
Cons:
- Might also want a smaller one for light jobs.
#1 Best Estwing ball-pein hammer 16 ounce
More information:
- The spelling difference between peen and pein is mentioned at, https://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/B/AE_ball_peen_hammer.html
Hi, my name is David, and thanks for reading one of my articles.
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