 20-pound (9.1 kg) and 10-pound (4.5 kg) sledgehammers | |
| Classification | Hand tool; Improvised weapon |
|---|---|
| Used with | Wedge; hammer wrench |
| Related | War hammer |
A sledgehammer is a tool with a large, flat, often metal head, attached to a long handle. The long handle combined with a heavy head allows the sledgehammer to gather momentum during a swing and apply a large force compared to hammers designed to drive nails. Along with the mallet, it shares the ability to distribute force over a wide area. This is in contrast to other types of hammers, which concentrate force in a relatively small area.