Best Blacksmith Hammers – Sets, Starters + Buyer’s Guide

When looking for a blacksmith hammer, you want to focus on three things:

• Quality – the hammer should be capable of holding up to repeated blows for many years, and the handle should be strong and durable. Steer clear of “bargain” hammers.
• Versatility – your hammer(s) should be able to perform a wide range of jobs so you can branch out to more complex projects.
• Comfort – hammers should not be too heavy as to make them unusable, and the handles should be easy to grip and not hurt your hand and wrist after prolonged use.

You can build your hammer collection one at a time, but for beginners, I’d recommend starting with a set that has everything you’ll need to get started.

The ABN 6-Piece Set features a great assortment of hammer types and has sturdy, lightweight, fiberglass handles.

Low vibration. Quality construction. Good control. Textured grips. Great value. Perfect for the beginner blacksmith. 

Best Blacksmith Hammer Sets

ABN 6-Piece Hammer Set 

This quality 6-piece set is ideal for many blacksmithing projects and will come in handy for a wide variety of household jobs as well. 

The handles are all fiberglass with a solid core and are wrapped in textured rubber to ensure a firm grip and minimize slipping.

Set includes: 

• 32-ounce rubber mallet hammer with soft heads to prevent damage to objects hit.
• 3-pound sledgehammer for heavy-duty jobs like flattening and shaping thick metal.
• 3-pound cross peen metal hammer for smaller projects and shaping.
• 6 and 32-ounce ball peen hammers for peening rivets, striking chisels, and shaping soft metals. 
• 32-ounce dead blow hammer helps to minimize damage to the surface hit.

Pros: 

• The fiberglass handles absorb vibration and shock for your safety and comfort.
• The handles include textured rubber cushion grips for greasy hands and added comfort.
• The hammers’ heads consist of compressed carbon steel for strength and balance.
• They are durable for long-lasting use.
• The price is affordable.
• They are lightweight for multiple projects and better striking.

Cons: 

• Made in China.
• The handles may break easily under certain circumstances. 

GoPlus 5-Piece Hammer Set 

This set includes 16-ounce and 32-ounce ball peen hammers for reshaping metal surfaces and rounding edges, a 32-ounce rubber mallet for stamping softer surfaces, a 3-lb sledgehammer for big projects, and a cross peen hammer for striking and shaping.

Pros:

• The heads consist of forged, polished steel for any project.
• The handles consist of rubber and fiberglass for long-term use and easier gripping.
• The fiberglass handle is shock absorbent, reducing vibration and shocks.
• You get a 100% risk-free guarantee if you are not satisfied with your product.
• The tools are durable, making them perfect for forging.

Cons:

• Made in China.
• They are not the tools of choice for professionals.

Individual Blacksmith Hammers

Estwing MR4OBS Sure Strike Blacksmith Cross Peen Hammer 

This 40-ounce metalworking tool consists of a fiberglass handle and textured cushion grip. It is blue.

The Sure Strike Cross Peen Hammer has a fully shiny face and painted New England-style head with two distinct striking surfaces.

The fiberglass handle is durable and reliable for heavier blows. It is strong enough to be used by professionals.

Pros: 

• The steel head is durable and provides maximum strength for lifetime use.
• It is strong enough to be used by professional builders and contractors. 
• The fiberglass handle is lightweight and comfortable for better performance.
• It is versatile and used for any project type.
• It is conveniently sized for jobs on the go. 

Cons: 

• Made in Taiwan. 
• The fiberglass handle may not be strong enough for some jobs.

Bon RiverWorks 12451 27-306 Straight Peen Driving Hammer 

This straight peen driving hammer is made of hand-forged steel and consists of crowned striking faces with beveled edges. It is ideal for a variety of forging work.

Pros:

• Made proudly in the USA.
• It is professional grade for use by the pros.
• It is sturdy for heavy-duty jobs. 
• It is lightweight for easy handling and better striking. 

Cons:

• It is challenging to find. 
• It is expensive compared to similar products. 

Estwing Sure Strike Drilling/Crack Hammer 

This is a 3-pound blue and yellow sledge consisting of a fiberglass handle and a textured cushion grip. 

The faces of this hammer are for professional blacksmiths. Both heads are shiny and slanted.

This hammer is tough and durable for heavy jobs and has shock-absorbing abilities due to its fiberglass handle. It is also available in 2-pound. 

Pros: 

• The compressed steel head is tough and durable to last a lifetime. 
• The fiberglass handle has a ribbed grip for better hold and comfortable fit. The handle is also shock absorbent to avoid vibration during use. 
• It is versatile for a variety of job types.
• It consists of high-quality steel for durability and strength.

Cons: 

• Made in Taiwan. 
• It may shatter easily. 

Diamond Farrier  6-lb, 36-ounce Rounding Hammer 

The Diamond Farrier Rounding Hammer is for shaping metal. It is balanced with double facing, one flat and one round, and has a head made of steel.

The faces are beveled to help reduce the risk of chipping. The handle consists of hardwood, which gives it a nice look.

Pros: 

• Perfectly balanced face (one flat and one round). The faces are also slanted to help reduce the risk of chipping.
• The head consists of steel for strength and good impact. Great for forging. 
• The handle consists of hardwood, which gives it a nice look. 
• It is decently priced for a rounding hammer. 

Cons: 

• Slanted faces are known to be too sharp. You might need to smooth them.
• The hardwood handle is varnished, which makes a slippery grip. 

Picard Hammer – Joiners’ Hammer 

This French-pattern hammer is for the DIY user. It consists of steel and thick hardwood, which gives it a sturdy feel.

It is versatile for all types of jobs. It fits comfortably in your hand and is easy to use.

Pros: 

• The head consists of steel. It is durable and able to withstand the toughest of jobs. 
• Easy to use for the DIY enthusiast.
• Lightweight for easier striking.
• It is decently priced for a quality item. 
• Versatile for a variety of jobs.
• Ash handle fits easily in hand for better control during use.

Cons:

• The varnish finish on the handle makes the grip slippery.
• Made in Germany.

Picard Hammer – Blacksmith’s Hammer 

This Swedish-pattern hammer is for the DIY user. It consists of steel and thick hardwood, which gives it a sturdy feel.

It is versatile for all types of jobs. It fits comfortably in your hand and is easy to use.

Pros: 

• The head consists of steel, and the handle is made of thick wood, making this hammer sturdy and durable for any job. 
• Great blacksmith product due to its sturdiness. 
• Handle easily fits in hand for better control during use. 
• Easy for the DIY enthusiast. 
• Versatile for a variety of jobs. 

Cons: 

• The varnish finish on the ash handle makes the grip slippery. 
• Made in Germany. 
• Edges of the head are sharp, and you may need to soften them. 
• Expensive compared to similar items.

Blacksmith Hammer Buyer’s Guide

As a beginner, you need a hammer that is easy to use yet sturdy enough to get the job done.

There are a variety of hammers available for the beginner DIY blacksmith with an eye for value.

Consider buying blacksmith hammers as a packaged set or choose to buy individually, depending on your need.  

The sets include ball peen hammers, cross peen hammers, rounding hammers, sledgehammers, and rubber mallets.

If you wish to purchase hammers individually, consider the blacksmith cross peen, straight peen, sledgehammer, rounding hammer, French-patterned hammers, and Swedish-patterned hammers.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have some questions, you’re not alone. Let’s take a quick look at the most commonly asked questions to clear up any confusion.

Wrapping It Up

Now you know what the best blacksmith hammer options are and are ready to take the leap and start your collection. 

Beginners will find the variety of a set to be invaluable as they hone their skills and develop technique.

The ABN 6-Piece Hammer Set is the best choice as it comes with five different types of hammers, is high quality and durable, and provides the flexibility to practice on different metal strengths, thicknesses, and projects. 

Everything that a beginner needs all in one set! Well, as far as hammers go anyway.

Click here to see what basics a beginner needs to get started and to learn more about this ancient craft.