This article is about the tool; for other meanings of the word, see Sledgehammer (disambiguation).

A sledgehammer is a tool that consists of a large, flat head attached to a lever (or handle). The head is typically made of metal. The sledgehammer's uniqueness lies in its ability to distribute force over a wide area, in contrast to the related hammer, which concentrates force in a small area.

The handle is over half a meter long and, typically, is a full meter long; the head masses at least one kilogram and, typically, is three kilograms. Sledgehammers usually require two hands and a swinging motion involved the entire torso; in contrast, smaller hammers used for driving in nails are held by a single hand and only one arm is swung, The combination of a long swinging range and heavy head increase the momentum of the resulting impact. Sledgehammers are used in construction work especially for breaking through drywall or masonry walls.

External links

• The Sledgehammer: How It Works, an essay by Steve Martin