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Best Ball Peen Hammer UK 

In this article we review, what we believe to be the best ball-peen hammers, currently available on the UK marketplace. This is also often spelt as ball "pein" hammers. The peen version is mainly used in the USA. In the UK we use the pein version.

In simple terms, like any hammer it has a couple of ends. One end is simply an ordinary hammer head. The other end in a ball pein is a rounded or ball shaped end.

There are quite a few of these available as you will see when you read on. Just before we do that, it is worth just a little time to explain, what they are and what they are used for.

What Is a Ball Peen Hammer Used For?

In essence this is the type of hammer that an engineer, or a machinist or a metal worker would use. It has a hemispherical end, and this was used to hit metal, and shape it. Back in the day it would have been used by blacksmiths to make items such as knife edges and swords.

The peen hammer is not something that most people will need around the home. They are however useful for hitting other metal objects like chisels and metal punches. That is normally done, by using the main head of the hammer. The ball pein end can however be used for rounding off rivets, metal pins, metal fasteners and edging.

They are in fact a little more hefty, and better if you need a bit more punch, than the normal claw hammer.

There are a few different type of these peens available:

  • Cross Pein Hammer
  • Point Pein Hammer
  • Diagonal Pein Hammer
  • Chisel Pein Hammer

By far the most popular is the normal ball pein hammer. I have included just below a quick 30 second video, that shows one of the hammers, and what it should be used for.

Top 5 Rated Ball Peen Hammers

Just below you will find an easy to read table, where we have placed the hammers in order. The order we have used is the highest buyer rated first. In other words we have placed the claw hammers in order of what buyers judged their quality to be.

We have also included average UK prices, but be aware that these are always subject to change. Always check on the exact date and time when you are making any purchase. The ratings we update on a regular weekly basis.

As you can see, these are not very expensive to buy. Most people will never need one, but personally I think it is a nice thing to have in your tool box. If for example you were ever using a cold chisel to take tiles off a wall, then a hammer like this is useful for hitting the cold chisel.

Ball Pein Hammer Summary Reviews

Underneath, we have completed short and concise reviews, on these top 5 products. That way you can see at a glance, which one is the best choice for you.

No 1 Choice - Am-Tech 1/4lb Ball Pein Hammer Review

  • Traditional style with the wooden handle
  • Hardened and tempered polished forged steel head
  • Measures 29.4 x 6.8 x 0.8 cm
  • Classed as a 4 ounce hammer (100 grams)
  • Ideal for use with cold chisels, punches, rivets and for the shaping of metal

No 2 Choice - Faithfull BPH48FG Ball Pein Hammer FibreGlass Shaft 48 Oz Review

  • Has a fibreglass shaft
  • Carbon steel head, that has been heat treated and fully tempered
  • Measures 16 x 40.5 x 6 cm
  • Classed as a 48 ounce (3 lbs) hammer (1360 grams)

No 3 Choice - Silverline HA34 Fibreglass Ball Pein Hammer 16 oz Review

  • Forged steel head
  • Fibreglass shaft with rubber handle
  • Measures 34.2 x 11.2 x 4.3 cm
  • Classed as a 16 ounce hammer (1 lb)  (450 grams)
  • Feels nice and solid

No 4 Choice - Rolson 10021 8 oz Stubby Ball Pein Hammer Review

  • A very popular choice
  • Stubby (short) version of the ball pein hammer
  • 8 ounce Stubby ball pein hammer
  • Head and shaft made from extra strong high grade carbon steel
  • Has a soft rubber grip
  • 21.2 x 11.4 x 2.6 cm

No 5 Choice - BERGEN 3pc Ball Pein Hammers Set 8 16 32oz Review

  • A set of three different weighted pein hammers
  • 3 hammers, sizes 8oz, 16oz and 32oz.
  • Hickory Wooden Handles

Ball Pein Hammer Buying Guide

What is Peening?

When metal is heated to a high temperature, if is then hit the impact causes the metal to harden. Those who worked in forges back in the day would have used that process on a very regular basis.

Blacksmiths would have used the variants of these hammers, that I mentioned at the beginning of this article. This peening process is important in metal strengthening and toughness.

What Are Ball Pein Hammers Used for Today?

They will still be used by some sheet metal workers. Car repair shops may also use these to help take out bumps in cars. Anywhere that metal needs to be shaped is where these meet their specific purpose.

Home owners will use them mainly for hitting a cold chisel. These chisels are used on brick work, tiles and other surfaces of this nature. They are heavier and more solid than a claw hammer.

Video - How to Pick the Ball Pein Hammer for Your Needs?

We found this useful video, which explains a number of uses for this type of hammer.

The Weight of a Pein Hammer

These come in a variety of weights. There is quite a wide range from just 2 ounces and all the way up to 48 ounces. In the UK we often refer to these by pound weight. Typical values are 1/2 lb, 1 lb and the most popular 2 lb hammer.

Ball Pein Hammer Construction

The most popular construction is a two part construction. That is essentially a steel head and then a handle. The head is then attached to the handle. The other and better option is a single piece forged head, which then usually has a rubber style of ergonomic handle. These also tend to be more expensive.

With the modern ball pein, the handle is either wooden or fibreglass. If fibreglass, then the handle usually has a rubber grip.

The head is almost always made of a hard forged and tempered steel.

I hope you found this article interesting. Hammers are very useful and I always like to keep a Ball Pein hammer in my Tool Belt when I am doing any job. If you want to find out a bit more then go straight over to our articel on the different types of hammers.


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  1. The fixed blade just has a different feel and security for heavy duty tasks. Although, I am going travelling in Scotland this year, so have bought a TK4 mainly to have a portable blade I can carry in my pocket to cover the simpler tasks in hand (possibly making a quick tent peg, cutting paracord etc). I think as always the key with kit is how, when and what you use it. I would always, though, now carry a knife, and a good sharpened one at that.

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