What Is A Sledgehammer?

A sledgehammer is a tool consisting of a large, flat head attached to a lever (or a handle). The head is typically made of metal. The sledgehammer can apply more impulse than other hammers, due to its large size. Along with the mallet, it shares the ability to distribute force over a wide area. This is contrast to other types of hammer, which concentrate force in a relatively small area. The word sledgehammer is derived from the Anglo Saxon "Slaegan", which, in its first sense, signifies "to strike violently". The english words "slay" and "slog" are both cognate. A sledgehammer handle can range from .5 meters (1 ft 8 inches) to a full metre (3 ft 3 inches)long, depending on the mass of the head. The head mass is usually 1 to 3 kilograms(2.2 to 6.6 pounds). Modern heavy duty sledgehammers come with 10 to 20 pounds (4.5 to 9.1 kilograms)heads. Sledgehammers usually requires two hands and a swinging motion involving the entire torso, in contrast to smaller hammers used for driving in nails. The combination of a long swinging range, and heavy head, increase the force of the resulting impact.
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