Mallets & Dead-Blow Hammers

Mallets and dead-blow hammers deliver force without marring surfaces, bouncing back or sending steel chips flying. Picking the right striking tool protects the work, and your eyes and hands.

All trades
Mechanics
Flooring & tile

Photo: rubber mallet, dead-blow hammer, brass hammer and rawhide mallet laid out with labels

Choosing a striking tool

Tool	Good for	Notes
Rubber mallet	Pavers, tile, furniture assembly, tapping flooring into place	Bounces back; black rubber can leave marks
Dead-blow hammer	Seating parts, aligning machinery, knocking out stuck pieces	Hollow head filled with shot that cuts rebound
Plastic or nylon-faced hammer	Sheet metal, assembly, finished surfaces	Replaceable faces
Brass or copper hammer	Striking steel parts without damage; lower spark risk	Soft faces deform and need dressing; see Non-Sparking Tools
Rawhide or wood mallet	Chisels with wood handles, leather work, sheet metal forming	Keep dry

Why not just use a steel hammer?

Striking a hardened tool or surface (like another hammer face, a hardened punch or a bearing race) with a hardened steel hammer can chip the metal and send sharp fragments flying at your eyes.
Steel hammers rebound, which reduces control and can strike your hand or face.
They mar finished surfaces and can make sparks in flammable areas.

Striking safely

Wear safety glasses for all striking work.
Use a mallet face larger than the surface you’re striking, and hit squarely.
Grip near the end of the handle for power, closer to the head for control.
Keep your other hand clear; use a holder or pliers to steady small parts.
Check that no one is in your swing path or behind the part you’re driving.

Inspect before use

Head tight on the handle, no wobble
Handle not cracked, splintered or taped
Faces not cracked, chipped, mushroomed or badly worn
Dead-blow shell not split (shot leaking out)
Replaceable faces secure

Mushroomed tools: Chisels and punches with mushroomed heads throw chips when struck. Grind them back or replace them. See Chisels & Punches.

Standards & references

Last updated: October 2, 2026