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Steel handle claw hammer

Fiberglass handle claw hammer

A claw hammer is a tool primarily used for pounding nails into, or extricating nails from, some other object. Generally, a hammer is associated with woodworking but is not limited to use with wood products. However, a claw hammer should not be used for heavy hammering on metal surfaces (as in machining work) as the steel of a claw hammers head is very hard, but also somewhat brittle. The ball-peen hammer is specific for metalwork, and the two types of hammer are not interchangeable.

Description

A claw hammer can be said to look roughly like the letter "T" with the handle being the long part, and the head being the line across the top which looks like a "t". In actuality, the head of the hammer does not form a straight line, yet curves down into the claw of the hammer. One side of the head is flat with either a smooth or textured surface and is used for impacting another surface. The other side of the head curves down and splits in the middle forming a "V" shape. This part is the claw of the hammer and is most commonly used for extracting nails from wood. The rounded end of the claw, in conjunction with the handle, is used to gain leverage when extracting a nail.

Types of claw hammers

Claw hammers can be constructed many ways but generally come in one of two forms. The first, and most popular, type of hammer is the two piece hammer. This hammer is constructed from a metal hammer head with a hole in the middle and a wooden handle. The wooden handle (almost invariably hickory) has one end made to fit perfectly into hole in the hammer head. Once the handle has been inserted, a steel wedge is driven into the wood in the head of the hammer. This forces the wood to expand and secures the hammer head to the handle. Another type of claw hammer is a single piece claw hammer. These hammers are usually cast out of some sort of metal. These hammers often have rubber grips to add to their ergonomics and decrease vibrations when the hammer is used. Another type of claw hammer is the framing hammer. This is an oversized claw hammer used in framing carpentry. The larger and heavier head can increase the user accuracy while decreasing the number of blows required to fully insert the nail. Framing hammers commonly have a "checkered" face, which reduces skip-off of the head if the blow is not precisely struck on the nail. The slight indentations left on the wood by the checkered face are considered unimportant in rough carpentry. Framing hammers also have a much straighter claw than regular claw hammers, as the claw is designed more for prying nailed boards apart, rather than removing nails (though its claw can also be used in that capacity).

History

An early claw hammer is seen in Albrecht Durer's etching "MELENCOLIA I" [1], dated 1514, halfway up the left side. There are several nails in the lower right corner.

External links

• The Hammer Museum The world's only museum about the place of the hammer in human history.