The heaviest kind of hammer is a:

The sledgehammer is the heaviest type of hammer utilized in construction and demolition applications. Sledgehammers typically range from 2 to 20 pounds or more, making them ideal for heavy-duty tasks such as driving stakes, breaking concrete, or shattering hard materials. The design features a large, flat striking surface, allowing significant force to be applied when swung.

In contrast, the other types of hammers listed serve different functions. A claw hammer, recognized for its dual functionalities of driving nails and removing them, is relatively lightweight. The ball peen hammer is primarily used in metalworking for shaping and striking metal, and it typically weighs less than a sledgehammer. The dead blow hammer, designed to minimize rebound and deliver controlled strikes, also weighs significantly less than a sledgehammer and serves distinct purposes.

Thus, the sledgehammer’s weight and design make it the heaviest kind of hammer used in various applications, enabling users to perform more substantial tasks that require considerable force.