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Pick the wrong hammer head and your job turns into a wrestling match with metal. Pick the right one and the task almost does itself. Hammer heads dictate how force is delivered, how the tool wears, and how comfortable it is to use over a long job. Whether you're driving nails, shaping metal, or demolishing a wall, choosing the correct head is half the battle.
Claw hammer heads are the go-to for carpentry and general household chores, featuring a flat face for driving nails and a curved or straight claw for removal. Look for hardened steel faces and a smooth peen if you want to avoid marring timber. Typical face diameters range from about 1 inch to 1.5 inches depending on nail size and job.
Ball-peen heads have a rounded peen opposite a flat face and are staples in metalwork, riveting, and shaping. They resist chipping when hitting metal and are commonly found in weights from 8 oz to 2 lb. If you do any metal fabrication, a 1 lb ball-peen is a versatile middle ground.
Sledgehammer heads are for heavy demolition and driving large stakes; they come in sizes from 2 lb for light work up to 20 lb or more for serious breaking. For most household demolition, a 4 lb to 8 lb sledge gives enough oomph without tiring you out. Make sure the eye (the hole that accepts the handle) matches your handle diameter and taper.
Club or lump hammers are compact and deliver a strong punch from a short handle, great for brick and blockwork. Typical weights are 2 lb to 4 lb, and they work well in tight spaces where a full sledge is impractical. The smaller face size concentrates force for precision breaking.
Bricklayer heads usually combine a square face with a chisel-like peen to shape and score bricks, while engineer hammers (or machinist hammers) are designed for striking punches and chisels. The face hardness and the head’s heat treatment are critical for longevity in these roles.
Screwfix is a favourite for tradespeople because of its wide stock, clear specifications, and fast availability. They typically carry brands like Stanley, DeWalt, and Faithfull, with head sizes listed in ounces or pounds so you can match the tool to the task quickly. Screwfix also often sells replacement heads and separate heads for different applications.
B&Q is a strong option for homeowners wanting basic and mid-range hammer heads. You’ll find claw hammers and small sledge heads at competitive prices, plus plenty of combo packs that pair the head with a handle. Their range is ideal if you want a tool for occasional projects without overspending.
Wickes focuses on builders and home improvers with a solid selection of robust heads for construction work. Their brick and club hammer heads are particularly dependable, and the store often highlights compatibility with common handle types, helping you match replacement heads easily.
Toolstation is aimed squarely at trade users, offering professional-grade hammer heads from brands like SDS and Irwin. If you need a specific weight in pounds or an engineered striking face, Toolstation’s technical descriptions and trade-oriented range make finding the right head straightforward.
Homebase provides a balanced mix of consumer and pro tools. Their hammer heads are suitable for DIYers who want a durable, long-lasting tool without paying premium pro prices. They also stock general-purpose sledge and claw heads in convenient sizes like 16 oz and 2 lb.
Amazon UK offers the broadest choice of brands and niche options, from specialist blacksmith heads to budget household claw heads. Customer reviews are handy for gauging real-world performance, but take care to check product listings for head weight in pounds and dimensions in inches to avoid surprises.
Trade merchants like Travis Perkins and Jewson are excellent if you’re buying for a building site or need bulk quantities. They tend to stock higher-specification heads suitable for intensive use, and they can often order special sizes or heat-treated heads to your specification.
Robert Dyas fits the needs of homeowners seeking reliable mid-range tools, while Machine Mart leans toward more specialist and industrial-grade heads. Both offer a curated selection, and Machine Mart sometimes carries less common head styles for metalworkers and landscapers.
Quality hammer heads are made from forged steel and heat treated to a specific hardness. Hardness prevents mushrooming and chipping but too hard can make the head brittle. A good middle ground gives impact resistance without shattering—look for heads advertised as drop forged or heat treated.
Weight is usually given in pounds or ounces; a heavier head delivers more force but needs more control. For driving nails, a 16 oz to 24 oz head is common, while heavy demolition calls for 4 lb and above. Balance between head and handle is critical—an unbalanced hammer feels awkward and increases fatigue on long jobs.
The face diameter affects the contact area. A 1.25 inch flat face is common for general work, while smaller faces concentrate force for precision. For metalwork, a polished face reduces marring. Consider the job: larger faces are better for rough work, smaller faces for accuracy.
Heads are sold both as part of hammers and as replacement heads. If you’re only replacing the head, check the eye size and taper to match the handle. Handles come in wooden, fiberglass, or steel varieties and are measured by length in inches—ensure your head’s eye is compatible with the handle width and wedge systems.
On a one-off DIY job, a budget hammer head will usually do the trick. But if you’re on-site daily, investing in a premium head pays off through longer life and less maintenance. Premium heads from brands like DeWalt or Stanley often have superior heat treatment and finish, reducing the risk of the face mushrooming or cracking.
If you do metalwork or professional bricklaying, buy the best you can afford—these tasks amplify wear and poor performance becomes costly. For occasional household use, mid-range heads from B&Q or Homebase balance cost with decent durability.
To remove a wooden-handled head, start by driving out the old wedge if present, using a punch and a hammer. Protect your eye with safety goggles and work on a stable surface. For steel or composite handles with pinned heads, you may need to grind or cut the rivet—exercise caution and consider a replacement handle if the head is heavily corroded.
When fitting a new head, dry-fit it first to ensure the eye lines up with the handle taper. For wooden handles, shave the tenon to achieve a snug fit measured in inches, then drive in a new wedge and trim the excess. For modern composite handles, follow the manufacturer’s fitting instructions to ensure safe retention.
Always wear eye protection when hammering or fitting heads, and check the head for chips or cracks before use. A mushroomed face should be dressed with a grinder in short bursts or replaced entirely. Regularly check the wedge or pins for looseness measured in fractions of an inch and re-wedge if needed.
Maintenance is straightforward: keep the face clean and free of rust, store hammers in a dry place, and periodically dress mushroomed faces with a file or grinder. For wooden handles, apply linseed oil in thin coats every few months to prevent shrinkage measured in fractions of an inch that can loosen the head.
Inspect heads frequently—hairline cracks or chips are warning signs that a head may fail under impact. Replace rather than risk a catastrophic failure, particularly for heads used in heavy-duty roles like sledge or engineer hammers.
If you’re mindful of waste or want to save money, check local tool recycling shops, independent hardware stores, or online marketplaces for secondhand hammer heads. A well-cared-for head can last decades. Just inspect for excessive wear, cracks, or a badly mushroomed face before buying.
Some UK stores offer refurbished tools or trade-ins—these can be goldmines for tough heads at a fraction of the price. Make sure measurements like the head weight in pounds and eye size in inches are clearly stated so you can match the head to your handle.
For general carpentry: a 16 oz to 24 oz claw hammer with a 1.25 inch face and a drop-forged, heat-treated head gives the best mix of control and driving power.
For metalworking: a 1 lb ball-peen with a polished face resists chipping and reduces marking. Look for a rounded peen of approximately 0.75 inch diameter for shaping work.
For brickwork and block: a 2 lb club hammer with a compact 1.75 inch face makes controlled strikes without the overkill of a full sledge.
For demolition: choose a 4 lb to 8 lb sledge with a long handle and replaceable head system; ensure the eye is compatible with standard sledge handles measured in inches.
Keep an eye on seasonal sales at Screwfix, B&Q, and Toolstation for clearance hammer heads. Amazon UK can be useful for comparing many brands and reading user feedback before committing. For trade or bulk purchases, Travis Perkins and Jewson often give the best price-per-head and can source specialist heads on request.
If you’re replacing a head on a cherished handle, measure the eye and handle taper in inches and bring those specs to the shop—your local independent hardware store can often match a head on-site and may even fit it for a small fee.
Before you buy, ask yourself: what weight in pounds do I need, will this head fit my handle, and is the face shape right for the material I’ll strike? Measure handle length and eye taper in inches, and prefer drop-forged, heat-treated heads for longevity. For most homeowners, a 16 oz to 24 oz claw and a 2 lb club or small sledge cover 95% of jobs.
For professionals, invest in premium brands and keep spare heads on hand—when a head fails on-site it’s costly in downtime. Lastly, match the purchase location to your need: Screwfix and Toolstation for trade-grade variety, B&Q and Homebase for household value, and Travis Perkins or Jewson for bulk and specialist sourcing.
Armed with these tips and a clear idea of what you need, shopping for hammer heads becomes less guesswork and more precision. Think of the right head as the tailor-made glove for your job—when it fits, everything feels easier.
Conclusion: Choosing the right hammer head transforms work from a chore into a craft—measure, match, and invest smartly for safer, more efficient results.
