A Nylon / Rubber hammer is used, when force is needed, but the surface being ‘hit’, must not be damaged. Another example; jewellers use a nylon hammer to harden decorative wire, without deforming the wire.

A Copper hammer is sometimes used, to apply force to steel, but with a reduced risk of damage to its surface. It can be used to apply the final tightening force to a heavy duty machine vice, set up on a machine such as a shaping machine.
Copper mallets do not create sparks, which may be an advantage in certain environments.

A Smith’s hammer is used during the forging of metal. It is a general blacksmithing hammer, because it is heavy and well balanced. In trained hands, it is capable for forming red hot steel and wrought iron, into numerous shapes and forms. It is often used in conjunction with an anvil.

A Club hammer (sometimes referred to as a Lump hammer) is not normally used in craft work. It has two flat faces and is used in demolition work and in the construction industry. It is ideal for providing the force required to ‘drive’ a cold chisel, through resistant construction materials.

The example below, shows a cold chisel being used in conjunction with a club hammer. The club hammer provides more force than the common ball pein hammer. This combination is ideal, for cutting thicker more resistant steel sheets.