Best ball peen hammer for bashing and smashing metalwork

Ball peen hammers are used to shape and hit metal.  The best ball peen hammers are debated to have either a steel or wooden handle.

Some people like the feel of a wooden handle, as it takes impact well and it’s lighter making it easier to use.

The great thing about steel handle ball hammers is that they are much more durable and can be expected to last a lot longer. However, they are a little heavier. It really depends on what type of work you plan to be doing.

If you are delicately shaping metalwork a wooden handle will give you more control and be a better choice. But for bashing and smashing, a steel handle can last a lot longer and still get the job done.

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.

If you were to only get one ball hammer though a 12-ounce hammer would be the best overall choice.

Introduction

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 peen end should, therefore, be large enough to effectively perforate the material. 

Ball-peen hammer heads typically weigh four, eight, 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.

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. 

Top ball-peen hammers

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%.

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

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.

Tips for using 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
	CLICK FOR BEST PRICE				CHECK CURRENT PRICE
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 peen 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.