What type of hammer is used for hammering metal surfaces?

The ball peen hammer is specifically designed for working with metal, making it the correct choice for hammering metal surfaces. Its head has two distinct ends: a flat end for striking and shaping, and a rounded end (the peen) used for working on metal, such as rounding edges or peening rivets. This unique design makes it particularly effective for tasks that require precision when shaping and forming metal.

In contrast, a claw hammer is primarily intended for driving and removing nails, featuring a curved claw for prying. A sledgehammer is a heavy hammer used for driving stakes, breaking concrete, or demolishing walls, which is not suited for fine metal work. The dead blow hammer, designed to minimize rebound and deliver a controlled strike, is typically used in assembly tasks rather than shaping or forming metal surfaces. Each of these alternatives has its specific purpose, but the ball peen hammer excels in metalwork applications.