Which hand tools deliver blows to a workpiece?

Hand tools that deliver blows to a workpiece are classified as percussive tools. These tools are designed to generate and transmit kinetic energy through a striking motion, often utilizing a handle to increase the force of the blow.1

The primary representatives of this category are the hammer and the ax. Within these broad categories, there is a wide variety of specialized tools, including:1

• Hammers: These include the common carpenter’s claw hammer, as well as riveting, boilermaker’s, bricklayer’s, blacksmith’s, machinist’s (ball peen and cross peen), stone (spalling), prospecting, and tack hammers.2
• Hammerlike tools: This group encompasses various striking implements such as the mallet, maul, sledge, pestle, and beetle.2

Percussive tools rely on the weight of the toolhead, the velocity of the swing, and the mechanical properties of the head to deliver effective blows. For instance, wooden mallets are often used with chisels to provide controlled force without damaging the tool, while heavy steel hammers are used for tasks like smithing or driving nails.12