Nupla’s Handi-Hammer is a super-compact dead blow hammer that lacks the handle of a traditional hammer.
There are two reasons to buy something like this. Most often, I use my Handi-Hammer when there’s not quite enough room to swing a full-size mallet or dead-blow hammer. Other times, I pack it in a tool bag where I think I might need a striking tool but don’t want to carry a larger and heavier full-size tool.
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The Handi-Hammer’s compact size means that it can be stowed nearly anywhere – a kitchen junk drawer, a small tool box, or a road kit.
Since Handi-Hammer is a dead-blow hammer, there is little recoil with each strike. One side has a steel striking plate, which helps deliver a harder blow, and the other has a rubber cap, which is soft and non-marring.
Read More: Intro to Dead Blow Hammers
I have owned Nupla’s 10 ounce model for a very long time now (more than a decade), and it has proven itself to be quite handy. While it won’t take the place of a good dead-blow hammer, the Handi-Hammer has earned a permanent place in my toolbox.
I have used this hammer mostly for installation and assembly projects, but sometimes I will use it with a wrench or a breaker bar and socket to show a stuck fastener who’s boss. While an ordinary dead-blow hammer or a rubber mallet could be used for these types of tasks, I find that the Handi-Hammer’s design allows for more controlled striking power and aiming.
Do you ever use your fist to pound on something because you can’t fit a full-size hammer or don’t have one immediately available? This handleless hammer works just as easily but is far more effective and less painful.
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There are two sizes – 10 and 14 ounces. I think the 10 ounce hammer’s lighter size makes it better suited for most uses and haven’t felt the need to step up to the 14 ounce hammer.
Would I buy the Handi-Hammer again? Absolutely.
Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now: 14oz via Zoro
It’s getting harder to source the Nupla Handi-Hammer. As of the time of the last post update, Zoro had the 14 oz in stock.
The Handi-Hammer I own was made in the USA, and as far as I am aware, Nupla still manufactures these dead blow hammers in the USA.
The sample reviewed here was purchased at retail pricing.
Post History
Last Updated: 5/27/2021
Minor Update: 7/1/2014
First Published: 10/28/2010
Sam
Easier solution: go to a big box store and get a 1-2 lb. dumbbell. It’s a dumbbell-shaped piece of iron with a rubber covering. Cut the rubber off of one end, grind it a bit, and you’ve got the same thing. It also works great as a bucking bar. And it costs a dollar or two.
Koko The Talking Ape
The dumbell wouldn’t be deadblow, which is a pretty handy feature sometimes.
I’ve thought about making one with a short iron nipple and two caps, filled with steel shot or sand, or both. One cap could be brass so it wouldn’t mar nice steel surfaces. Or you could glue some leather to one end for an even softer strike surface.
But it actually isn’t so cheap to buy those items in small quantities. And I imagine you’d want the malleable iron or brass caps, not the ordinary gray cast iron, for better impact resistance. So this Nupla guy is better.
Stuart
I have used dumbbells in lieu of hammers before in a pinch, but hadn’t considered a 1-2lb cushion-grip one before. I’m not sure I’ve seen them go lower than $5 apiece or so at sporting goods stores, but will keep your tip in mind.
I still recommend the Handi-Hammer, and its dead blow internals make it worth the extra cost. That, and even a 1 lb dumbbell would have been too heavy for some of the projects I’ve used the HH for.
fred
Not exactly the same use, but in the metal shop we had several tungsten bucking bars – I think possibly leftovers from WWII or the Korean War era.
A quick Google search – and I see that some are still sold:
http://www.yardstore.com/search.htm
BJ
That is a neat store. It always seems like a treasure hunt whenever I go there.
fred
They are having a 10% off Memorial Day Sale
fred
Wrong store – sorry its ATS that’s having the sale:
https://aircraft-tool.com/shop/main.aspx
Will
I remember my dad taking me there when I was a kid in the late 80s/ early 90s. I was too young to appreciate it then, but I wish I could go there now! Wasn’t aware it was still around, but then I haven’t lived in Wichita since 1999.
Koko The Talking Ape
You can get tungsten bucking bars on eBay too. Some of them are repurposed airplane ballast or some other industrial part.
It’s actually fun to own a piece of tungsten. It’s so dense it’s surreal. Gold is about the same density, but you’re probably not going to get a bar of gold just to play with. They sell tungsten rods, cubes and spheres for science demonstrations and such. I think the larger spheres are a safety hazard, because they can roll off tables and benches and hit your feet.
Koko The Talking Ape
Yeah, a dumbell wouldn’t do, at least for me. The deadblow feature is pretty key.
uthscsaedu
Are these different brands? I notice one 14oz hammer is less than $15, but another 14oz hammer is $75.
Chris Fyfe
Looks handy , I think I’ll score one . Good for setting anchors , and persuading stubborn parts .
Chris
Scottthetech
Hey Stuart – if that’s your hand in the picture, what gloves are you wearing?
Stuart
Mechanix Pro-Fit Series 4.0 Impact Protection gloves, model #H30-05-009. FANTASTIC glove. The new one with the same model number is not the same, and really stinks. (https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/mechanix-impact-pro-work-gloves-review/%3C/a%3E%29%3C/p%3E
Unfortunately, there’s no way to get more of the Pro-Fit glove shown in the above photo.
Dave L.
Safe techs use deadblow hammers when a safe door is recalcitrant even though the correct combination is used. This is because a piece of paper across the threshold can provide just enough tension on the boltwork to make it hard to open. Hit the door a good hard rap on the side opposite the hinges while pulling on the lever. Worth a try if you ever run into this, and a rubber faced hammer won’t mar the finish.
fred
If you owned it for more than a decade – then it was at a time that they were an independent tool company. They were acquired by Q.E.P. in 2012
http://www.qepcorporate.com/news.php?sID=46
Jared
I read this post quite a while ago and went ahead and bought it to try. I like it. I don’t use it a lot, but its handy in certain situations.
Most often I’m just giving something a gentle nudge – like tapping an axle into a motorcycle. I’ve used it with wrenches and other tools too though. Sometimes it’s nice to have something gentle to give things a whack.
Will
I love mine & use one quite often for knocking the draw bar loose on my mill. I own 2 of the 14oz. I never considered buying the 10oz though. For smaller stuff I just use solid copper drifts.
Wow, they’re expensive now! I got mine when they were $7 on Amazon. The second one I bought from MSC.
Derek
Nice, So it’s basically a shake weight hammer? 🙂
Chris
Huh…. that’s actually pretty interesting. I might consider it. I bet that would work wonders for wood carving.
fred
For most woodcarving, I prefer a brass maul or very-short handled brass hammer. My favorites came from Glen Drake Toolworks but they are no longer in production:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/glen-drake-toolworks-brass-tite-1834692790
Another style that I’ve tried came from Lee Valley Veritas – but this style is also available from Narex, Pfeil and other makers in different weights
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/mallets/110896-veritas-journeymans-brass-mallets
Eric
I’ve had mine for about 8 years and I really like. It’s a nice little persuader for delicate tasks where lots of control is needed.
Dave P
Nupla is really good stuff. Their “Ergo power” spades and shovels are the best you can buy, bar none. Their polypropylene coated handles don’t crack, stay smooth and like new even when spending years laying out in the weather in a The back of a service truck body, and are 10,000 times better than the TERRIBLE hollow fiberglass handles used by many others.
Nupla is fantastic stuff…
Dave Brock
snapped a hollow handled shovel last fall, bought a Nupla one and couldn’t break it if I wanted. Best shovel every and not that much more than the ones from the local box store.
Joseph
You can also make something like this with a conduit fitting, caps, and small ball bearings. Though a quick price check shows ball bearings are more expensive than I thought.
MM
I made something similar years ago with a short piece of pipe filled halfway with lead shot and then welded plugs in both ends for a particular project.
Anyway this thing looks very handy. I like that it appears to have one steel face and one rubber or plastic face. Stuart, do you happen to know if the faces are replaceable on this hammer? Or is one of those you have to throw out entirely when the soft face is damaged to the point of usability?
Stuart
To my knowledge, they are not replaceable, or at least I have never seen any parts and there’s no way to attach any.
Jared
I don’t think you will ruin the soft face quickly on this tool. I certainly haven’t. It’s hand-held so you can only swing so hard. Maybe if you were trying to drive a nail backwards.
Most of the time I reach for this just to nudge something. It’s an ideal companion for assembly tasks.
MM
Yeah, I thought about that shortly after I had made my post. And also this is a fairly inexpensive tool as well, if it is damaged then it’s no biggie to replace the whole thing.
Heck, if I cared that much I could easily make my own which would use the same faces as my Wiha deadblows.
fred
If you really want to spend some money – you can buy some tungsten balls – 50% denser than lead shot and about double steel ball bearings:
https://midwesttungsten.com/tungsten-shot/
Koko The Talking Ape
Thanks for finding another source, Stuart! I didn’t know about Zoro.
Those Amazon prices are ridiculous.
fred
$17.69 at Home Depot
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nupla-Compact-Dead-Blow-14-oz-Handi-Hammer-89714/202953621
Stuart
Out of stock and unavailable.
fred
Sorry about that – I should have looked closer.
Rob
I’ve seen these before from other brands and I must have had the wrong impression because I thought you were supposed to whack them with another hammer ala a big punch or massive nail set or what have you
Will
Just came across this. Some company named Strong Hand Tools is offering identical handleless hammers. Same sizes, same colors, & even the same product name, made in China though.
https://stronghandtools.com/stronghandtools/products/special-tools/handi-hammer/
Did Nupla sell the rights or are these just blatant copies? Is this why the Nuplas aren’t readily available anymore & have gone up in price, as if Nupla is not making them anymore? I’m glad I got my Nuplas.
fred
I once thought that Strong Hand Tools were one of Harbor Freight’s brands – but now think that their items like the one you link to are from a wholesaler called Valtra Inc. (not to be confused with the subsidiary of AGCO that make tractors in Finland and elsewhere) located in Santa Fe Springs CA. Like you, I’m confused about whether the Nupla-Like item is a licensed product or just an imported knock-off
Jeff Fullerton
I’m sold… but neither amazon nor Zoro seem to carry the 10 oz one you sing the praises of. Any idea of another possible source?
Stuart
I’m sure they’re out there, but unfortunately I haven’t had any luck finding new sources for the 10oz.