The long handle combined with a heavy head allows the sledgehammer to gather momentum during a swing and apply a large force compared to hammers designed to drive nails.

Sledgehammers usually require two hands and a swinging motion involving the entire torso, in contrast to smaller hammers used for driving in nails.

Sledgehammers are also used when substantial force is necessary to dislodge a trapped object (often in farm or oil field work), or for fracturing concrete.

The British SAS counter terrorist team used sledgehammers to gain access to rooms during the 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege.

[6] It is useful for light demolition work, driving masonry nails, and for use with a steel chisel when cutting stone or metal.

Club hammers are common on the British inland waterways for driving mooring pins into the towpath or canal bank.

Newer mauls have broad, flat circular faces that are significantly larger in diameter than the body of the head (where the handle attaches).