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A ball peen hammer (or ball pein) is a type of a peening hammer used in metalworking. Ball peen hammers have two heads - a flat one and a rounded one, aka. peen. Its design, as the name implies, is for peening or shaping a metal surface. Having a rounded peen makes it different from cross-peen, diagonal-peen or chisel-peen hammers. Blacksmiths and machinists commonly use a ball peen hammer in workshops.
With ball peen hammers, you should focus which type or size YOU need as these hammers come in various sizes and weights to suit the needs of different jobs.
Check out our picks:
Best Overall:
SATA Hickory Handle 2lb Ball Peen Hammer
SATA Hickory Handle 2lb Ball Peen Hammer ST92314SC is a powerful hammer designed for professionals or industrial workers.
With its lightweight handle and powerful head, SATA ball peen is a well balanced hammer for a comfortable use. Handle is strong and made of hickory, while the ergonomic shape provides more comfort, preventing hand fatigue. The handle is contoured to fit well in hand, providing safe and non slippery grip. SATA Ball Peen ST92314SC is designed for DIY, industry professionals and/or technicians. It also comes in the fiberglass and rubber handle version as well.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
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Robust - the steelhead and a hickory handle design can withstand impact force |
Size - choose size well as bigger hammers are not great for delicate work |
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Well balanced - swings are easy and does not cause hand fatigue |
Not for heavy duty work - may not be suitable for heavy duty projects |
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Quality design - nicely forged head and a well-shaped handle for max durability |
Potential for Rust - steel heads are more prone to rust and require proper care and storage |
Runner Ups:
Proto Stanley J1308AVP Antivibe Ball Peen Hammer
Proto Stanley J1308AVP 8-Oz Ball Peen hammer comes with a patented ANTI-VIBE technology which delivers greater impact vibe reduction than standard one-piece steel hammers.
It provides more control and safe grip due to molded textured rubber grip. Head and handle are made of strong alloy steel while the rim-tempered striking surface provides additional durability and safety. Its 8-ounce head weight makes it light and easy to use for more precision work.
Fun fact - Proto tools helped build 1934 Fords, the Golden Gate Bridge and Apollo 11.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
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Lightweight design - a great hammer for lighter, smaller work or greater precision. |
Higher cost - Proto Stanley is a reputable brand thus the price is higher than other similar products |
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Quality craft - the head is well forged and finished, and the grip comfortable without being too soft. |
Not for heavy duty - possibly not for heavy duty work, more for precision work |
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ANTI-VIBE - good shock absorbing qualities |
CRAFTSMAN Ball Peen Hammer 16-oz
CRAFTSMAN Ball Peen Hammer 16-oz (CMHT54179), is a reliable and a high-quality hammer for either DIY or professional projects and can be used in a wide range of projects.
It has a rubber textured handle which provides comfortable and safe grip. Anti vibe technology reduces impact vibrations and tempered striking face adds to more durability. The Craftsman Ball Peen head is made of alloy steel and rounded for better impact - the 16.oz weight is right for most common tasks while its ball peen end is great for shaping metal in welding.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
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Durability - great quality material which can withstand heavy use without breaking |
Not a wooden handle - some users reported more comfortable grip of this particular hammer with wooden handle |
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Well balanced - allows good momentum into a swing while the rubber handle is comfortable to hold |
Not for delicate work - since it is 16-oz hammer, it may not be suitable for delicate work projects |
Edward Tools Ball Peen Hammer 16 oz
Edward Tools Ball Peen Hammer 16 oz. is designed for striking chisels, riveting, and shaping unhardened metal. It can be used as a blacksmith hammer, masonry or chasing hammer and more.
Edward Ball Peen Hammer is heavy duty forged and features a contoured fibreglass handle with shock absorbing grip, reducing shock up to 70%. Head is forged of fine grain steel and comes with a lifetime warranty. Blacksmiths and mechanics use this hammer as one of their essential tools.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
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Safe grip - contoured handle with shock absorption works great for hand grip preventing injuries and fatigue |
Balance - some users reported slight balance related to the weight of the handle and head |
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Lifetime warranty - this ball peen hammer comes with a lifetime warranty |
Steelhead prone to rust - the steelhead is susceptible to rust and requires proper care to prevent damage |
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Reduced Recoil - absorbs shock significantly, which can help prevent overuse injuries |
Best Budget
Fiberglass Handle:
REAL STEEL 16 Oz Ball Peen Hammer
REAL STEEL 16-32 Oz Ball Peen Hammer is a lightweight hammer with textured padding and a polished head suitable for blacksmiths, carpenters, DIY and home use. It can be used for shaping sheet metal, striking punches, chisels and peening rivets and more.
The Real Steel graphite ball peen hammer improves strength and toughness, while its rounded head is perfect for shaping metal. The graphite core provides additional durability and resilience. The hammer comes with an exclusively profiled, drop-forged head for powerful strike while ball peen eliminates rebound and reduces hand fatigue. An ergonomically textured rubber grip provides strong hold without any shock or slippage.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
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Comfortable hold - textured rubber padding on handle provides strong hold preventing any slipping |
Not for lightweight tasks - this hammer is designed more for heavy duty projects |
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Robust performance - you can provide massive impact with very few vibrations |
Long handle - some users reported long handle shifting the center of balance when striking |
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Durability - graphite core provides additional durability and resilience |
Easier to scratch - due to black finish, it may scratch more easily and wore down overtime |
Wood Handle:
Vaughan TC016 16-Ounce
Vaughan TC016 16-Oz Commercial Ball Peen Hammer is a light-weight and durable hammer providing a well balanced tool for your metal shape activities. With its ergonomic handle, you will be able to work longer periods without experiencing any discomfort.
Vaughan TC016 comes with a polished face, bevel and peen. These hammers are concentrically machine turned with a big bevel on striking face. Handle is made of top quality American hickory wood.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
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Quality design - crafted from quality materials with much lighter coating of varnish |
Take care of the handle - you will have to sand it and put some linseed oil over it to prevent damage or injuries |
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Well balanced - easier to wield for more precision and accurate work while hits plenty strong |
Steelhead prone to rust - the steelhead is prone to rust and requires proper care to prevent damage |
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Stickers hard to remove - hammer comes with applied stickers which are hard to remove or grim will accumulate on the handle easily. |
Best Quality
ESTWING Ball Peen Hammer - 12 oz
ESTWING Ball Peen Hammer - 12 oz E3-12BP is perfect for forming and shaping sheet metal, thus being widely used in auto body shops. It is available in size from 8 to 32 oz head size to provide optimal control and performance.
Estwing Ball Peen 12oz is a one-piece forged design with molded Shock Reduction Grip reducing impact vibrations - it combines best in both, comfort and durability. The head and handles are fully steel polished, made of the finest American steel. Estwing hammers are crafted from a single piece solid steel featuring smooth rounded ball end to shape metal to the wanted contour.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
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Robust - this hammer is incredibly sturdy for wide range of projects and tasks |
Ridged finish - the metal finishing on head can be more polished and even |
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Secure grip - provides a comfortable and secure grip, reducing the impact on my hand during extended use |
Higher cost - Estwing hammers tend to be more expensive than some other brands |
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Better balance point - made of a single piece of solid steel making it greatly balanced for easier swings and hits |
Steelhead prone to rust - it requires proper care to prevent rust |
Titan - 8 Oz. Ball Peen Hammer
Titan - 8 Oz. Ball Peen Hammer (63308) is a small, sturdy and high quality hammer for smaller projects yet proven and tested for durability.
Head is made of fine alloy steel and a handle of steel and fiberglass, additionally rubber textured and with ergonomic design for comfortable grip and more control while striking. Durable cast iron head is designed to withstand the impact force with ease. Manufactured from industry-leading materials using up-to-date equipment, it ensures reliability and enduring value.
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Pros: |
Cons: |
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Robust - robust hammer crafted well make it durable for long time usage |
Not for heavy duty work - this size hammer (8oz) is more fit for smaller and DIY projects |
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Well balanced - comfortable handle and good weight distribution for balanced swings, not causing hand fatigue |
Stickers may be hard to remove - some users reported that the stickers applied on the hammer are difficult to remove upon purchase |
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Great Price - the price is more than fit for any budget and you get a great quality ball peen hammer |
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Framing Hammer
Weight
Ball peen hammers typically range from lighter ones (12 ounces) to heavier ones for larger projects requiring more force.
Material
The ball peen hammers are traditionally made with a steel head for durability and strength, varying from high carbon steel to alloy steel. Ideal for metalworking like riveting and shaping.
Check the material a ball peen hammer is made from, as those determine its durability over time. Experts recommend a polished hickory wooden handle because of its durability.
Handle
The handle is commonly made of hardwood (hickory, ash) while more modern versions are made of fiberglass or steel, with rubber coating for comfortable grip and better shock absorption. Check if the handle properly holds the head and if the handle material can withstand impact.
Budget
Do a short research and compare the prices of different ball peen hammers from different brands and possibly sets (if you need various sizes) in order to buy a hammer that meets all your needs and is within your budget.
More Things To Know About Ball Peen Hammers
Curious to know more about ball peen hammers? We've got you covered with a detailed article that dives into what they are, when to use them, and more.
Once you've found the perfect ball peen hammer, it's important to take good care of it to keep it working smoothly. Check it regularly for any damage, and if you spot any, fix it up right away to avoid accidents.
How to Care for Your Ball Peen Hammer
For your hammer to be durable, you will need to maintain the head and the handle of your ball peen hammer.
- Get a brush and a piece of dry cloth to clean the head, then clean the peen end and hammer face. Check the joint between the head and handle to prevent any loosening.
- If there is any rust, use a fine grit sandpaper to remove it from the hammer surface. You can apply rust preventive coating on the hammer head.
- Avoid soaking the handle in water to avoid damage - you can also apply a coating that prevents damage and corrosion on the handle as well.
- After cleaning, dry your hammer and store it in a dry place away from humidity or heat. If you find any loose parts while cleaning your hammer, consider replacing it since using a broken hammer is not safe
Conclusion
Ball peen hammers are important tools used in workshops and since there are various models of ball peen hammers on the market, you will need to choose one that will suit your needs.
Primarily used in the metalwork industry, the ball peen hammer excels in shaping welded metals, driving chisels and shaping and setting rivets.
If you are planning to buy a ball peen hammer, hope our guide will help you choose wisely to match your preferences.
