The Harbor Freight Tool That Customers Agree Is An Essential For Your Collection

A hammer is only the simplest tool in your toolbox until you start shopping for a new one. In a matter of minutes, you'll be faced with claw hammers, ball-peens, rubber mallets, and more. From major demolition to minor repair tasks, it turns out there's a lot more to choosing the perfect hammer for the job than meets the eye. But there's one that quietly outperforms them all when precision and control really matter. Unlike other hammers that rely on brute force, a dead blow hammer is designed to absorb impact rather than bounce right back. Inside the deceptively smooth design are pellets that distribute the force of each strike evenly, reducing both vibration and surface damage. According to thousands of customers, the inexpensive Pittsburgh Dead Blow Hammer at Harbor Freight is an essential tool you should add to your collection immediately.

At first glance, you might not think to reach for the dead blow hammer for your more delicate projects. Available in several rubber head weights ranging from one to five pounds (and prices ranging from $7 to $15), its size and hefty grip look somewhat imposing. But reviewers who've given it a 5-star rating describe the tool as excellent for a wide variety of projects where you need power without damage, from mechanical work to woodworking to installing brick pavers in garden beds. Unlike the trusty claw hammer you reach for when hanging pictures, the striking face of Harbor Freight's popular dead blow hammer measures roughly 2 inches across, which allows it to transfer force exactly where it's needed. And because it's covered with a soft rubber, it doesn't mar surfaces or spark when used on metal.

"I've had mine for almost three years of hard daily use and it is a staple in my tool truck," one Harbor Freight reviewer wrote of the Pittsburgh dead blow hammer's wide-ranging utility, sturdy construction, and value for the money. Over 2,500 Harbor Freight customers agree, leaving 5-star reviews that consistently mention the overall durability, versatility, and affordability of this tool. Although a few people mentioned experiencing issues like the rubber coating cracking after use, all were satisfied by Harbor Freight's lifetime warranty. One person struggled to get an exact replacement but only because the company was temporarily out of stock in their desired weight. 

Great reviews weren't limited to the Harbor Freight website. In a Reddit thread dedicated to Harbor Freight Must-Haves, one contributor summed up the popularity of the tool by writing, "I think there is [a] law that if you shop at HF more than twice you have to purchase an orange dead blow hammer." A private-label store brand, Pittsburgh supplies products that frequently make the cut, thanks to Reddit DIYers who find them to be solid tools at a low price.

Although 98% of Harbor Freight customers recommend the dead blow hammer, a few were dissatisfied. One DIYer laying pavers said it only lasted a few days, and another who was pounding ball joints had the unfortunate experience of picking up pellets that spilled all over his garage floor after the tool broke in half. A few others reiterated that the warranty makes all the difference, since their various projects were too much for the dead blow hammer to handle.