A solid one-piece forged steel claw hammer with a soft-grip handle. Twenty ounce head weight makes it capable on site for general framing, carpentry, and first and second fix work. Polished finish, built to take daily punishment.
The Pro Force 20oz forged steel claw hammer is the kind of tool most tradespeople will reach for without thinking twice. One piece forged construction means there are no weak joints between head and shaft, no loose-head rattling after a week on site, and no wondering whether it will hold up when you’re driving 4-inch nails into green timber at pace. The head is polished, the balance is good, and the soft-grip handle takes the sting out of a full day’s swinging. Simple as that.
Twenty ounces sits in a sweet spot for general site work. Light enough to use all day without your shoulder giving up by lunchtime, heavy enough to drive nails properly without needing three practice taps before committing. If you’ve ever used a 16oz hammer and wished you had a bit more behind each strike, or picked up a 24oz lump and felt your elbow complaining by mid-morning, 20oz tends to be where most carpenters and general builders settle.
Where a 20oz Forged Steel Claw Hammer Actually Earns Its Keep
First and second fix carpentry is the obvious home for this. Stud work, noggins, floor joists, decking, fencing. Anywhere you’re driving nails by hand rather than by nail gun, this is what you want in your belt. The curved claw pulls nails cleanly without digging into surrounding timber, which matters when you’re working on finish joinery or removing decking boards without splitting them.
Roofing and groundwork lads will find it useful too. It’s the sort of hammer that ends up doing a dozen different jobs on a job site before it ends up back in the van at the end of the day. Knocking formwork apart, adjusting door frames, opening paint tins in a pinch. Not that we’re recommending the last one, obviously.
One-Piece Forged Construction
Forged steel is worth mentioning because it genuinely matters. A forged head is stronger and more consistent than a cast one. The grain structure of the steel is aligned through the forging process, which gives better impact resistance and a longer service life. Combined with the one-piece design, there’s no handle-to-head joint that can work loose over time. It’s a proper working hammer, not a display piece.
At under a tenner, this is a fair tool at a fair price. Worth having a spare in the van too.
Pro Tip: When pulling nails with a claw hammer, place a scrap of timber under the head as a fulcrum to increase leverage and protect the surface you're working on, particularly on finish timber where you don't want bruising.
General carpentry and joinery is the core use here, covering first fix stud and joist work through to second fix door and window fitting. It's equally at home on a roofing job, a fencing run, or a groundworks site where you need something to knock shuttering apart. The 20oz weight is a practical all-rounder for anyone who uses a hammer regularly throughout the working day rather than occasionally.
Best For
First fix carpentry and stud work
Second fix joinery
Decking and fencing
General site work
Nail pulling and formwork removal
Works With
Round and oval wire nails
Lost head nails
Clout nails
Framing nails
Standard timber fixings
Key Features
20oz head weight
One-piece forged steel construction
Polished head finish
Soft-grip handle
Curved claw for nail extraction
Not suitable for: Not suited to masonry work or striking chisels and bolsters, which need a dedicated club or lump hammer. Not designed for overhead prolonged use where a lighter hammer would be more appropriate.
Grip the handle towards the end rather than near the head. It feels counterintuitive at first but gives you more swing weight and better control with less effort. Let the head do the work rather than forcing it, and keep your elbow loose on the downswing.
When pulling nails, hook the claw squarely under the nail head and use a slow, steady lever action. Rushing it can snap the nail shank or split the surrounding timber. A block of wood under the head gives you extra travel and protects the surface underneath.
Check the head is secure before use and inspect for any damage to the striking face
Grip the handle near the end for maximum swing efficiency
Start nails with light taps to set them square before driving fully
Use smooth, controlled swings and let the head weight carry the strike
To pull nails, hook the claw under the nail head and lever back steadily
Place a timber block under the head when pulling nails for extra leverage and surface protection
Is 20oz a good weight for general carpentry work?
Yes, it's one of the most common choices for a reason. Heavy enough to drive nails efficiently, light enough to use for a full working day without excessive fatigue. If you're doing very heavy framing you might want something heavier, but for most first and second fix work 20oz is a solid choice.
What does forged steel mean and why does it matter?
Forging shapes the steel under pressure rather than casting it in a mould. This aligns the grain structure of the metal and produces a stronger, tougher head with better resistance to chipping and cracking on impact. For a working tool used daily on site, it's a meaningful difference compared to cheaper cast alternatives.
The head is manufactured from forged steel, giving it consistent grain alignment and good impact toughness. The one-piece construction eliminates the head-to-handle joint found on traditional wooden-handled hammers. The striking face is polished, which reduces drag on nail heads and helps keep drives straight. The soft-grip handle provides basic vibration damping and improves hold in wet or dirty conditions.
Head Weight
20oz (approximately 567g)
Construction
One-piece forged steel
Handle Type
Soft-grip
Head Finish
Polished
Claw Type
Curved
SKU
PF535
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