In this article we review, what we believe to be the best claw hammer, currently available on the UK marketplace. One thing is certain, there are plenty of this type of claw hammer to pick from.
To make that task a great deal easier, we have reviewed, and then rated them based on information from real life buyers.
There are many different types of hammers on the market, and a claw hammer is just one type. It is however the most popular choice for most home owners.
The name comes from the fact that it has a claw looking structure on one end, that is used for removing nails.
Hammers also come in different weights, different grips and are often made from different materials. Claw hammers are used to drive in nails as well as pull up nails from wood and even pry up old floorboards. I always have one on my Tool Belt as they can do so many jobs.
The most popular hammer brands in the UK are Stanley and Rolson.
Just below, you will find out top 5 list of claw hammers, and a summary review of each one.
We have also provided links to a more detailed review of each hammer, if you want to dind out more information about a particular hammer.
What is the best claw hammer in the UK?
The best claw hammer in the UK is the STANLEY STHT0-51309 16oz Fiberglass Curved Claw Hammer. This is a 16 ounce hammer which is lightweight, strong and resists moisture, has a fibreglass handle, a highly polished steel head, that has been hardened and tempered.
For under £10 you will not get a better choice.
Top 5 Rated Claw Hammers
Just below you will find a list of the top 5 claw hammers where we have placed the hammers in order.
(The rating is the average score which we have calculated from the available online reviews from various websites that sell these hammers)
Stanley Fibreglass Curved Claw Hammer 450 g/16 oz
- This hammer is the best seller online
- It is the classic style of claw hammer
- It has a fibreglass handle with rubber grip
- It also has a fully polished carbon steel head, that has been heat treated and fully tempered
- Measures 3.5 x 33 x 12.8 cm
- Classed as a 16 ounce hammer (450 grams)
For me this is easily the best mix of quality and value for money. Compared to the heavier Stanley version below, it will do everything exactly the same and at a third of the price. I found it very comfortable to use and there is very little vibration on your hand when you are hammering. This is easily the best all round option.
Stanley 1-51-628 Fibreglass Curved Claw Hammer - 20 oz
Check the price on Amazon
96% buyer satisfaction based on 500+ online buyer reviews
- Lightweight, strong and resists moisture
- Has a fibre glass handle
- Highly polished steel head, that has been hardened and tempered
- Measures 13.7 x 33 x 3.6 cm
- Classed as a 20 ounce hammer (570 grams)
Buyers like this hammer as it feels really well balanced in your hands and has a larger striking face than most. Buyers also said it looks really good, and there is almost no vibration which makes a huge difference. When you compare it to the model above you have to ask why it is 3 times the price. I found that although it's great quality, I couldn't justify the additional cost.
Blue Spot 26143 16oz Claw Hammer
88% buyer satisfaction based on 200+ online buyer reviews
- Hardened steel head
- Has a 70% fibreglass handle
- Measures 36 x 14 x 3.2 cm
- Classed as a 16 ounce hammer (450 grams)
- Feels nice and solid
- Great value for money
Stanley FMHT1-51275 1FatMax XL AVX Curve Claw Hammer
- Part of the Antivibe frame hammer range
- Has a milled face for extra strength
- Slight curve crawl for easier nail removal
- Measures 31.7 x 3.3 x 15 cm
- Classed as a 20 ounce hammer (570 grams)
- One piece forged construction for better balance
Best Budget Claw Hammer - Rolson 10334 8 oz Tubular Steel Claw Hammer
- This claw hammer is available in 8 ounce, 16 ounce and 20 ounce sizes - prices vary
- It is made of tubular steel which means it is light
- It has a polished steel head
- Measures 27 x 11 x 3 cm
Some buyers will prefer just a simple and small claw hammer. They may only have to tap a few nails in every now and then. or do a light bit of hammering.
For those buyers something like a stubby claw hammer will do the job.
Rolson 10019 Stubby Claw Hammer Review
- Made from high grade carbon steel
- It has a soft rubber grip
- It has a very useful magnetised nail holder
Measures 15 x 2.8 x 21.4 cm- Weighs 286 grams (10 ounces)
If you need a claw hammer in your toolbox for occassional use then you can't really go wrong with this Rolson model. It will fit in to small spaces and works perfectly well as a hammer. When you compare the price to what else is available, you won't find anything of this quality for under £5. It's worth having, just for getting into tight spaces alone.
Claw Hammer Buying Guide
Typical claw hammer
The head of a claw hammer head has three main parts:
- The head of the hammer
- The claw of the hammer
- The adze eye
The head of the hammer is going to be the most used part as that is what is used to hit nails and drive them into place.
The claw as it is known, will have a space between its two parts. That is then used to act pretty much like a lever.
The claw will grip onto things as you use your prying action. Almost always the claw is used to pull old nails out of wood or nails that have been driven into wood incorrectly.
However, these claws are powerful, and can even be used to pull up floorboards. Some cheaper claw hammers will however bend at the claw and shaft if too much pressure is placed on it.
Most users will never have heard of the name "the adze eye." It is however one of the most important parts of a claw hammer, and in fact serves a very important purpose.
This is the part where the hammer head is attached to the handle. Usually a wooden wedge is driven into the slit at the top of the handle. That makes the top of the handle expand, making the hammerhead fit on snugly.
Many claw hammers use fibre glass handles, and those are great for reducing the vibration that you get from a hammer handle made of wood or forged metal.
Parts of a Hammer
Most buyers will already know what a claw hammer is, and what it is used for. We thought however it might be worth an explanation, to those who are not familiar with the term. This popular hammer is mainly used for hammering nails into wood, and for removing them.
The claw end is used to help remove nails from wood, or other materials. Primarily this is used for woodworking and also in general construction and building.
It is not the right hammer for hitting metal surfaces such as steel. A hammer such as the ball peen hammer is a much better choice for that.
The easiest way to describe this type of hammer, is that it is the most popular choice for general work.
Video - How to Pick the Right Claw Hammer for Your Needs
I found this useful video, which is especially helpful if you are a young person, and not exactly sure which type of hammer is best for you.
If that is the case, then this one is well worth a watch.
Claw Hammer Buyers Tips
The Weight
A popular question asked, is what is the best weight for a claw hammer. The most commonly used and indeed purchased is the 16 ounce (450 grams).
That is enough for almost everyone. There are some people who like a slightly heavier hammer, and those buyers will go for a 20 ounce hammer. (570 grams)
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.
Some buyers prefer one with low vibration and a fibre glass handle is the better choice for that, though that type does tend to be more expensive.
Framing Hammer vs Claw Hammer
Some professionals prefer this heavier style of hammer, mainly those who do woodworking.
With the heavier 20 ounce hammers, you don't need as many taps to drive the nail in. This is of course beneficial for those who use a hammer on a very regular basis.
The fourth choice on our list above is a classic heavier framing hammer.
Which Hammer Should You Buy? Standard Claw or Finish Hammer
Most buyers should purchase the standard claw hammer. This is also referred to as a "finish hammer."
It will have a smooth polished steel face, and a light head (less than 20 ounces). All of the claw hammers on our list above, except number 4, fit into this category.
It will also have a handle length of less than 16 inches. In addition to that it will have the curved claw for easy nail removal.
Framing Hammer (Rip Hammer)
For heavier work, such as fencing, nailing sheets of wood, a framing hammer is the better choice.
The handle on these is up to 18 inches long, and has a straighter claw. This type of claw is used for prying apart pieces of wood.
The head typically weighs 20 ounces or more, and it will have a milled face that helps grip nail heads tightly.
It also adds a lot more weight when hitting the top of a nail. As such it will need less hammer blows.
Claw Hammer vs Nail Gun
There are quite a few people who say, just buy a nail gun instead of buying a hammer.
I would have to disagree with that, and allow me to explain why. Nail guns are of course a very useful tool, but really only required, if you are doing a large project, or working with wood on a daily basis.
Even then a hammer can still be the best option. For repetitive work nail guns really will save you a lot of time.
You do need to have them loaded and ready for action. Sometimes it is just handier, to pull out the hammer and tap a few nails in.
Straight Claw or Curved Claw?
One end of the hammer has a pretty obvious use. That is you can whack nails in with it.
However when you look at the other end of the hammer, you will find a claw.
Now that claw can either have a curve or be relatively straight. So I guess the question is, which is actually best.
The curved claw is a better option for extracting nails. That is because it gives you a great deal more leverage, thanks to the angle of the claw.
The straight edge is better for things like prising up planks, splitting wood to make sticks, tearing down plasterboard, and even for digging small holes.
Claw Hammer Safety
The actual claw element of the hammer is essentially used as a lever. In all claw hammers this claw part has a notch which is used to help remove nails from timber.
The claw is inserted under the head of the nail until it catches. This can often take a fair bit of jiggling around to grip the head of the nail.
Once it does though, the nail is then levered out by pulling back on the handle and using the curve of the claw as the fulcrum.
The claw of the hammer is also used to lever up floorboards, or planks. Care is needed though, as excessive use can stress the join between the head and handle.
If too much pressure is applied the hammer can bend and even break.
Hopefully we have supplied you with enough information on claw hammers. Below you will find some more hammer related information which you may find useful.
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