Claw hammer: how to hold it safely

Learn to hold and swing a claw hammer safely and hit the nail, not your thumb.

CH-01Know the parts of the hammerThe 'head' is the heavy metal end. One side is flat for hitting nails; the other is curved with a V-shaped notch called the 'claw', used for pulling nails out. The 'handle' is what you hold - wood, fibreglass, or steel. Get familiar with which end does what before you pick it up to swing it.

CH-02Grip the handle near the end, not near the headHold the handle towards the bottom, away from the metal head, with a firm but relaxed grip - like shaking someone's hand, not strangling it. Beginners almost always choke up near the head thinking it gives more control. It actually gives less power and forces you to hit at an awkward angle.

CH-03Start the nail with light taps, fingers well clearHold the nail near its head between your thumb and forefinger, resting your knuckles lightly on the wood for stability. Tap gently 2-3 times just to stand the nail up on its own, then take your fingers away completely before swinging properly. This is where most beginners hit their thumb - by keeping fingers on the nail too long.

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CH-04Swing from the elbow, not the wristOnce the nail stands up alone, let your arm do the work: swing from your elbow with a smooth, controlled arc, keeping your eye on the nail head the whole time. Let the weight of the hammer head do the hitting - you're guiding it, not muscling it. Flicking from the wrist gives wobbly, glancing blows that bend nails.

CH-05Hit the nail square, not at an angleAim to bring the flat face of the hammer down parallel to the nail head, so the full face lands flat. A glancing or angled hit is what bends nails sideways or sends them flying. If a nail starts to bend, stop, pull it out with the claw, and start again with a fresh one rather than trying to correct it mid-swing.

CH-06Use the claw to remove a nail safelySlide the V-notch of the claw under the nail head, then pull back on the handle, using the hammer head as a pivot point against the wood. If the nail is long, place a scrap piece of wood under the hammer head for leverage and to protect the surface. Pull slowly - yanking too fast can snap the nail or slip the claw off.

CH-07Check you've got it rightYou've got the grip and swing right if the nail goes in mostly straight within 3-4 solid hits, your hand stays relaxed rather than gripping tight in a panic, and you're not flinching or looking away as you swing. If nails keep bending or you're hitting at an angle, slow down and go back to shorter, controlled taps rather than full swings.

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