SISSY SLEDGE
The Hammerhead hammer is also known as a drilling hammer. It is a three pound sledgehammer and the cheapest of the steel head hammers shown. I use it for roughing stones and for aggressively driving chisels. This is my favorite hammer because of its utility and the balanced heft of it in my hand; it’s the quintessential work hammer. I call it Sissy Sledge because it’s such a lightweight compared to the Quarry Buster.

CHIP
This is probably the most versatile hammer in my tool bag. Called a bricklayer’s or mason’s hammer, it has a sharp blade at one end and a square striking head at the opposite. It only weighs 24 ounces, but it can pack a decent wallop. This is a brand new Vaughn, barely scuffed. Typically I have used Estwing hammers which have a through handle and cushioned grip. It doesn’t effect performance, but I think the Estwing is easier on the hands and wrists.

PRETTY PERSUASION
The longer handle and streamlined hammerhead give this three pounder a lot more wallop than Sissy Sledge. I generally swing this with both hands, with intent to harm. It’s been called a lot of things: mash, rock, and spalling hammer amongst them, though I don’t know if any of those are particularly accurate. Freshly re-handled, I like the streak of dark grain in the wood.

ROUNDHOUSE
This mallet, cousin to a sculptor’s tools, is useful for finer chisel work. It weighs two pounds and the round head makes it much easier to strike a small chisel head without bludgeoning my hands. It doesn’t come out on every project, but if I’m detailing fits between flagstones, it is perfect for taking off small, controlled chips. The handle narrows considerably where it meets the head, making it vulnerable to breakage; another reason to save it for lighter work.

QUARRY BUSTER
The Quarry Buster is a twelve pound sledge hammer featuring a huge chunk of carbide for a blade. You don’t swing this hammer, just drop it with purpose on a spot and it’ll do the rest. Made by Trow & Holden, it is especially effective at making oversized stones more manageable and making gravel.

THE BEAK
Also made by Trow & Holden, the Stinger has a carbide blade and point. You can swing this one all day long, as it only weighs two pounds. That lightweight feel does limit its utility. I have found it most useful when using Tennessee flagstone, an easily worked sandstone roughly two to three inches thick. On most other stone, it just lacks the punch. While I think the point is a good idea, I have found that I prefer the more precise aim of a chisel and my #3 sledge.

WHACKAMATIZER
The rubber mallet is surprisingly handy for hitting things that I don’t want to break. Most commonly I use to bed flagstones in sand. Despite being rubber, it can deliver a painful bite and produces wicked blood blisters.

SEE ALSO:

External links
Trow & Holden: Premier maker of stone tools in Barre, Vermont.
Estwing: Hammer makers. Annoying web site but great tools, including what you need for panning gold.
Sculpture Studio Hand Tools: Sculptor Mark Carroll documents his stone working tools. Very cool.