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Best sledge hammer 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]
Last Updated September 1, 2023I’m Willow Brayden Diaz. My friends call me “stone” and it just kind of stuck. After more than 48 hours of research, including interviewing two experts and spending 10 hours testing 15 popular sledge hammer, I found the best sledge hammer of 2018.
I’ll brush up on how to choose the best sledge hammer and examine things like materials, quality, and weight. I hope that my Top 3 list will provide you great options in buying the right fit for you.
Let’s get to it!
Best sledge hammer of 2018
There’s a product for every kind of user on the list of affordable options below. Like choosing clothes or cosmetics, choosing sledge hammer should be based on your purpose, favorite style, and financial condition. There are dozens of choices for an sledge hammer these days. These are composed of modern styling with modern technology to match it. Here are some good examples. The best sledge hammer will make your fairytale dreams come true!
Test Results and Ratings
Rank | №1 | №2 | №3 |
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Total | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
Style |
5 points
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4 points
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4 points
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Materials |
5 points
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4 points
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5 points
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Construction |
4 points
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5 points
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4 points
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Price |
5 points
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5 points
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4 points
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Awards | ![]() |
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How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the sledge hammer by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
№1 – Muscleology Sports Nutrition Sledge Hammer Pre-Workout Concentrate
Total: |
4.8
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Why did this sledge hammer win the first place?
I am very happy with the purchase. It is definitely worth its money. The product is top-notch! The product is very strong. Its material is stable and doesn’t crack. I really enjoy the design. It is compact, comfortable and reliable. And it looks amazing! I also liked the delivery service that was fast and quick to react. It was delivered on the third day.

5
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5
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4
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5
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№2 – Groz 34523 16″ Indestructible Sledge Hammer
Total: |
4.5
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Why did this sledge hammer come in second place?
Seems that the material is good. It has a very beautiful color but I don’t really like the texture. I really liked it. It is amazing in every aspect. It did even exceed my expectations for a bit, considering the affordable price. I like this product. For such a low price, I didn’t even hope it to be any better. It’s decently made. The design quality is top notch and the color is nice.

4
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4
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5
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5
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№3 – Fiskars IsoCore 10 lb Sledge Hammer
Total: |
4.3
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Why did this sledge hammer take third place?
I liked the design. We’ve been using it for 2 months and it still looks like brand new. It is inconvenient to use due to the size. I am going to get something different next time. The material is incredibly nice to the touch. It has a great color, which will suit any wallpapers. This price is appropriate since the product is very well built.

4
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5
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4
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4
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sledge hammer Buyer’s Guide
Claw Hammer
Claw hammers are probably what most people think of when they envision a hammer. These tools are great multitasking with the flat, blunt end is used for pounding objects like nails and fasteners, while the “claw” end is used for prying things up like embedded nails and more.
Ball Peen Hammer
Ball peen hammers have a dual hammer head, one spherical and one flat. These hammers are used for “peening” which is the art of expanding and shaping various materials. Naturally they’re very popular in the metal working industry.
Hand Grip
Hammer handles are wrapped in a range of materials including rubber, nylon, vinyl, or leather, which makes them easier to grip and hold. These materials also make them a lot more comfortable to use, as well as provides a safe measure of anti-slip grip.
Corrosion Resistance
The Internet is often described as the Information Highway, as information is readily available and transferred throughout the world. Unfortunately, the Internet can also become a Misinformation Highway. This has happened with sledgehammer training. Many athletes now believe that an expensive, designer sledgehammer is required for optimal results. They have been told that regular sledgehammers are cheap and destined to break.
Smashing A Large Tire
A rubber tire is an ideal choice to absorb the impact of each sledgehammer swing. You can even bring a tire indoors. In the video below, you will see how I have positioned a tire on top of an old chair cushion. This set-up is very convenient for indoor use. Sledgehammer training is not limited to the outdoors.
When you strike the tire, you can expect the sledge to rebound slightly upon impact. The rebounding nature of the tire will enhance wrist stability and strengthen the forearms and grip.
Finding A Tire
You can often find a used tire for free. Most tire dealers have old tires, which are no longer suitable for use. The dealer must pay to dispose of the tires. They will be more than eager for you to haul the tire away for free. Find a shop that supplies large tires for trucks and tractors. Tractors use huge tires that are perfect for sledgehammer training.
Swinging The Sledge
Once you obtain a tire and sledgehammer, you are ready for some intense conditioning workouts. Although several swinging variations exist, I suggest keeping it simple. We are not training for the Sledgehammer Olympics. In my opinion, vertical and diagonal swinging are the two most effective sledgehammer variations. As an athlete, you have several training objectives. Do not complicate the process by creating elaborate swinging techniques. Stick with the basic movements.
With a diagonal swing, you will stand approximately to feet from the tire. The hammer starts on one side, and comes across the body diagonally until striking the tire. To swing the hammer, one hand will remain stationary at the bottom of the handle.
When you position yourself behind the tire, you may assume a staggered stance, with one foot slightly in front of the other. In the beginning of the video, you can see my left foot is closest to the tire (while swinging from the right side). This stance allows me to generate more hip action on the downward portion of the swing. The sledge starts on my right side, and travels across my body. My right hand slides down the sledge, away from the stationary hand as it is loaded behind my right shoulder. The hand then slides back towards the stationary hand during the downward motion.
It will feel natural to start the sledgehammer from your dominant side. For example, I am right handed, so it is natural for me to swing from right to left. It may feel awkward to swing the sledgehammer from your weak side. One of the benefits of sledgehammer training is its ability to even out your left and right sides. You will become more coordinated with your non-dominant hand. Combat athletes require ambidextrous coordination. Consider a right-handed boxer who fights from the traditional stance (left foot in front). This boxer will jab with his left hand (non-dominant side). A good boxer will throw his jab more frequently than any other punch. The jab is the single most important punch in boxing. A good boxer can win rounds with the jab alone. To develop a crisp, whip-like jab, you will require coordination from your non-dominant side.
If you wish to include another swinging variation, you can work with the vertical swing. For this variation, both hands will remain stationary at the bottom of the handle. This variation is much more difficult with a heavy sledgehammer.
During the vertical swing, you will assume approximately a shoulder width stance, with parallel feet. Alternate your hand position (which hand is on top and bottom) periodically to ensure balanced development.
Workout Options
In the video below, I have demonstrated Tabata intervals with the sledgehammer. For those who are unfamiliar with Tabata intervals, refer to this article.
Each Tabata interval will last minutes (x 20 seconds of work, plus seconds of rest after each interval). This brief session makes an ideal finisher to any strength or conditioning workout.
Another option for sledgehammer swinging involves swinging the hammer for full rounds. You can use multiple or minute rounds, or even one lengthy minute round.
Safe Use of a Sledge Hammer
If you have never used one of these sledges before, then please watch the video above. There is a knack to using these so as you do not hurt your back. You have to learn to let the weight of the hammer do the work.
You should never be bent over, when swinging one of these things. That type of action sill cause you serious damage. Once you master the swing though, it is actually very easy.
Enda McLarnon
I enjoy writing about tools and gadgets of all kinds. As an electrician and with many years working in the building industry, I have used my fair share of all the leading tool brands. On this website I share my experiences of these along with my colleague Geoff.
Lock up and throw away the key
Another element that Abus takes great pride in is the lock mechanism itself. Most of its competitors use an industry standard key combination, which offers around 2,500 combinations. With Abus, its lock uses 1.million.
Axel Roesler, sales and marketing director mobile security, tells us that this isn’t the end of the story: “Most lock pin combinations will have some that are very similar, if you take a five disc lock, you’ll have a 1111or 2222combination, these as you can imagine can be easy to pick, so in our 1.5million combinations we delete 3-400,000 combinations that we consider compromised.” The legal standard in the UK is 1,500 combinations and in Europe it’s 2,500, that Abus offers over a million certainly shows its commitment to security.
We see one such machine, nicknamed Robster 1, which is a fully automated robotic system that creates keys and lock barrels for the X-Plus range of locks. The machine cost 1.5million euros to build and is soon to be joined by a second 0.million euro companion. The fine-fiddly work of building these barrels used to be done by hand, but the workers who were once responsible haven’t been tossed onto the scrapheap.
Abus has redeployed the staff into quality control roles, taking responsibility over the Robster and also rolling out a new Key-A-Like service, where you can either use your existing plus key card (the unique serial bar code that comes with Abus Plus range locks) to purchase another lock using the same key or replacements and spares.
Doug Mahoney
After testing 1hammers and getting the opinions of two working carpenters and a former editor at This Old House and Popular Mechanics, we recommend the Estwing E3-16C, a 16-ounce, curved claw, steel-handled hammer for general around-the-house hammer needs.
A hammer is a versatile tool to have around the house. It can be used for small indoor tasks like tapping in picture hangers or more aggressive projects like replacing a piece of rotted window trim or building shelves in the garage. Hammers are one of the primary tools for building, fixing, and demolition, so if you’re going to have a small toolbox kicking around the house, a hammer should be one of the first items in it (and don’t forget our recommendations for a multi-bit screwdriver and tape measure).
Pull Quote
Based on my own experiences with Estwing hammers, I can personally vouch for its durability. This hammer will survive anything.
First of all, the Estwing has great ergonomics thanks to its weight and balance. At one pound, 1/ounces, it was one of the lightest hammers I tested (weights ranged up to just under two pounds). Swinging them all side by side, I noticed the Estwing felt noticeably lighter and very well balanced. The head is in nice proportion to the handle, so it has good weight distribution, making it an easy hammer to swing and hold.
The Estwing’s grip is another highlight. It is made of nylon vinyl, which feels like a dense rubber. It is comfortable to hold and the very, very slight ‘squish’ to it adds confidence to the grip. There is a nice little flare at the base of the handle and the grip area has a good tack to it, so the hammer won’t easily slip out of the hands during a hefty swing.
According to Estwing, theirs is “the best available grip for reducing vibrations caused by impact.” During testing, I didn’t feel any real difference between the hammers with regard to vibration, but my own extended use (years) of an Estwing hammer has proven to me that negative effects from vibration are not an issue with their hammers.
The thin neck has a slight diamond shape to it and the tool has a simple and classic design. Aesthetics don’t have much to do with our criteria, but the Estwing does have an elegant look compared to the rest.
As far the actual hammering goes, the Estwing’s standard-sized striking face (one-inch diameter) allows for a nice line of sight when hitting a small picture hanger nail or brad, while still packing enough heft to handle a framing spike in a manageable number of swings. This was a difficult task for the tools with over-sized striking faces like the Bostitch and the second generation Stanley.
The Estwing pulled nails with no problems, as did the rest of the hammers. This was the one area where the tools were basically all in the same ballpark. Only the first generation Stanley distinguished itself here due to the extremely steep curve of its claw, which adds a little leverage to the pull.
Estwing as my primary hammer (20-ounce, straight claw) and after years and years of daily aggressive use, the tool shows no signs of major wear. The milled edges aren’t as crisp as they used to be, and it has taken on a very weathered patina, but functionally the hammer displays no signs of failure.
A new Estwing compared to a well-seasoned Estwing (20-ounce, straight claw). The hammer on the right served as my primary hammer during a decade of construction and carpentry work. The 20-ounce Estwing is so universal on construction sites that I added a blob of weld to the neck (the circle at the bottom) in order to be able to tell mine apart from all of the others.
But don’t just take my word for it. Both carpenters that we interviewed use Estwing hammers on a daily basis.
Pull Quote
The cylinder-drive strainer uses a self-lubricating bearing to ensure smooth operation while providing minute control of the snare tension. Mapex’s piston-style throw-off is incredibly smooth and requires minimal effort to operate, and the adjustment dial employs micro-lock technology that provides a tactile click as it’s turned, allowing precise control.
Draper Warrington Hammer
The head has two faces, a round one for driving in nails, and a tapered wedge face to start the nails off. It is mainly used for light hammering and furniture making. The weight of a cross-pein/warrington varies from 4-16oz (110-450g). An 8oz (225g) is a useful size.
Rubber Mallet
A rubber mallet is the type of hammer to use when one is working on piecing wood together or working with any fragile material. Any time the project calls for force, but a metal hammer might cause damage to the material being worked on, and there is hesitation about leaving marks, using a rubber mallet will prevent marring or scarring. Rubber mallets also have many other uses.They can be used when installing tent stakes, working on gardening and landscaping projects, installing a fence, placing edging in borders and walkways and changing a tire to protect the rim.
Wilton 5083lb Splitting Maul
Wilton 5083splitting maul is another effective and affordable maul to choose. Wilton is an American company who manufactures this product. The weight of splitting maul is only pounds with a 36-inch handle.
This maul is manufactured with Unbreakable technology that guarantees high performance. Actually, Wilton reinforces the handle with steel rods to remove the risk of cracking or breaking like typical a wooden handle.
The handle is constructed with such a design so that it can avoid cracking or breaking during overstrikes. Wilton 5083is tested to 25,000 overstrikes but still, it works cool.This Wilton maul is fitted with anti-vibration neck which absorbs shock and vibration while splitting logs.
The handle is textured and ensured the grip firmly whenever you are striking on wood. The anti-slip feature eliminates any hand slip, that would lead to blisters or more dangerous injuries while working.
Estwing E3-FF4
Estwing E3-FFis an American brand maul. This is a light weight maul but powerful hand tool. You can carry the tool anywhere easily. Estwing E3-FFmauls are 14.inches by 5.inches by 1.inches by measuring. The maul weighs pounds.
This lightweight makes it easy to use in one hand or both hand perfectly depending on your works. You can take it with you when you are going on hiking or hunting. But it will be chosen in the first place due to use in camping.
The head size of this maul is and ½ inches, while the splitting edge is and 3/inches. But it is designed for cutting larger pieces of wood or chopping up timber. You can use it for your backyard to split bigger logs as well as you can carry it for outside activities.
Truper 3095Splitting Maul
The Truper 3095Splitting maul is another good choice. The maul is 11.pounds heavy where head weighs Ibs. The head is made of high-quality steel. Both edge and the hammer are well engineered for splitting and staking respectively.
The maul comes with 3inch long handle. It makes the maul more effective to split firewood and logs. The handle is made of double injected fiberglass which is featured a rubber grip. This grip is optimal for control and handling the maul easily. The rubber grip also absorbs overstrike impacts from beating.
A few people consider the handle is not strong like other option.
Performance Tool M7116-Pound Splitting Maul
If you searching a maul that works with maximum efficiency, Performance tool M711might be that one. This maul is made by India.
The maul weighs 8.Ibs. But the head is only pounds. The head is made of quality steel featured with extra sharpness. Another plus point of this product is that it is fitted with a mirror polish head. As it is less weight than other maul, you can carry it with you in camping, hiking or adventure.
Gransfors Bruks Splitting Maul
Gransfors Bruks splitting maul is made of Sweden. The maul’s head is forged into a concave face which makes the bade quite thin. This sharped blade cuts logs quickly and goes into deeper then broader sections pushes apart the wood for effective splits.
The maul handle is made of reliable Hickory wood. The well shaped handle has a length of 3inch which is perfect to fit in anyone’s hand.
The total weight of the maul is pounds where head weight is only 5.pounds. Although the weight is little bit smaller than other mauls but it is capable of splitting logs easily. Light weight allows the maul to more speed while swings the maul. This creates more force on the logs for splitting.
The product is featured with Overstrike collar. The overstrike collar reduces the damage of the handle which provides long lasting capability of the product.
If you are searching one of the best quality splitting mauls on the market then this Gransfors Brunks can be one of the best maul.
Truper 324112-Pound Splitting Maul
Truper 3241Splitting maul is Mexican made. Truper is one of the largest company who manufactures quality hand tools for last forty years. While producing, the company ensures the use of efficient and modern technology to guarantee the optimum quality and value of the products.
Wedged Maul
This is the traditional maul with heavy weight and wedge-shaped cutting surfaces head. The weight and width head features help the maul to get in deep enough in the wood.
But few modern mauls have conical shape head or swiveling sub-wedges.
Why you should choose a maul
A maul is like an axe but equipped with a broader head. This head is heavier than an axe. That allows the maul to split wood better than a typical axe. A maul head is designed slightly convex to avoid jamming while splitting wood. Most of the maul’s handle reduces the vibration and shock. Oh yes, handle is made to non-slip feature.
Weight And Shape
For a wood-splitting axe, commonly referred to as a maul, to be effective it must be heavy and have a wider head, or “poll,” than a standard axe.
Mauls should weigh from six to eight pounds but can be heavier for a larger, stronger person, with some mauls weighing as much as 1pounds.
The larger the splitting maul is the less likely it is to become jammed in the wood. This means you should select a maul as heavy as you can comfortably handle.
Handle Design And Composition
A good maul handle should be straight and long and will typically have a nearly rounded shape. The rounded contour of the handle allows for a firm two-handed grip that will aid in swinging and directing the maul.
Maul handles are traditionally made from a hardwood, like oak or hickory.
However, synthetic materials are becoming more popular as handle choices. This is because of man-made materials, like fiberglass and high-carbon steel, are stronger than wood and will last longer.
Some maul handles come with rubber or plastic grips designed to increase hand comfort and absorb heavy blows. Some handles will also have chemical finishes designed to protect it from damage.
Handle Length
A longer handle allows for a more powerful swinging force to split large chunks of wood.
A good length for the handle of a splitting maul is between 2inches and 3inches. The length of the handle will depend on the weight of the head and the height of the user.
The design of wood mauls works on the physical principle of the length of the handle times the weight of the maul equaling the force applied to the wood.
This means the longer the maul handle is the more leverage it will create while being swung. This allows the user to apply less physical force to carry the head of the maul through the wood.While the handle of a maul should be relatively long compared to a standard axe, the handle must be short enough so it can be swung with confidence and accuracy. A maul that is unwieldy can become dangerous if it cannot be controlled.
User Preference
You should take all the quality, design and physical characteristics into account when choosing a maul.The best splitting maul for you is one that meets your personal preferences, expectations, and wood-splitting ability.
If you regularly split cord after cord of firewood with huge slabs of wood, a maul with a powerful, wide-angled heavy head will probably be your best choice.If you are a tall and hefty professional lumberjack who chops wood for a living then a heavier maul with a long handle is a good choice.
On the other hand, if you are shorter of stature without the upper body strength of a weightlifter a short-handled maul at the lighter end of the scale will be your best bet.
WILTON B.A.S.H SLEDGE HAMMERS
Wilton B.A.S.H. Sledge Hammers went through over strike tests by an independent lab. Mechanical over strikes were calculated before the handles broke.
Competitor sledge hammers with wood handles collapsed after 43strikes, while fiberglass handled sledge hammers failed at 6,800 strikes. The B.A.S.H. Sledge Hammers were tested at 25,000 over strikes and they still were going strong.
B.A.S.H Sledge Hammers feature a safety design to prevent the hammers head from dislodging. A steel safety plate secures the hammer head with six steel rods which are bound together. The rods run the entire length of the handle and lock the hammer head to eliminate dislodgment.
The Wilton B.A.S.H. sledge hammer has a rubber non-slip grip that is made from vulcanized rubber and resist oil and other solvents. An anti-vibration neck helps lessen the vibration from striking. It is also designed to stand on its head for easy retrieval.
The only CoDs that weren’t made by Infinity Ward that I liked in terms of multiplayer were WaW and BO2, and even then WaW was a copy and paste of CoD4MW’s mechanics, gameplay, and connections. Infinity Ward has just always made my favorite CoDs. All of theirs always involve a more realistic color scheme, better weapon sounds, and map layouts that aren’t just mirrored maps (aside from IW). Gameplay always feels smoother to me than with the other dev teams’, and connections are usually far better with Infinity Ward. Ghosts, MW3, they all had some of the best connections out there. Even though Infinite Warfare’s aren’t nearly as good as the previous two, I still find them far better than anything SHG and Treyarch have to offer.
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the sledge hammer by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
Final Word
First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.
Most important, have fun and choose your sledge hammer wisely! Good luck!
So, TOP3 of sledge hammer
- №1 — Muscleology Sports Nutrition Sledge Hammer Pre-Workout Concentrate
- №2 — Groz 34523 16″ Indestructible Sledge Hammer
- №3 — Fiskars IsoCore 10 lb Sledge Hammer

Questions? Leave a comment below!
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