Hammers are a core part of any self-respecting handyman’s toolkit. If you’re looking for something American-made with all the quality and build construction that entails, then we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of all hammers made in the USA.
Complete List of Hammer Brands Made in the USA
Estwing is a leading manufacturer in the American tool industry. They craft all of their products in Rockford, Illinois, made from the highest-quality American steel. For over 100 years, Estwing has been producing top-tier hammers, knives, hatchets, crowbars, and other hand tools in the USA. These are my go-to hammers – I have a claw hammer and rubber mallet from them in my tool box.
Dalluge Tools produces many high quality tools, but specializes in hammers made from titanium and steel. Many of their steel products are 100% made in the USA, however the heads of their titanium hammers are crafted in China. Their drop hammers and finishing hammers are made of strong American steel.
The inspiration for the title of Hardcore Hammers comes from the hardened steel core inside their hammerheads, which is intended to increase the durability and performance of the tools.
While Hardcore Hammers no longer exclusively builds hammers, these tools are their specialty. They produce 100% of their products in the US with American materials and manufacturing.
ABC Hammers proudly produces all of its products and materials on US soil. And since US steel is the strongest stuff around, you can rest assured that your hammers are going to be durable. Their products are made from heavy-duty bronze, steel, brass, and polyurethane. All of the hammers made by ABC are built to last and perform extremely well.
Ampco Safety Tools have been continuously produced in the USA for more than 100 years. In fact, AMPCO was the first company to produce aluminum bronze safety tools. Producing everything from hammers to sockets, screwdrivers, pliers and more, these durable tools are a sentiment to the quality of American made products.
Jackson has a long history of producing top quality American-made tools. The company specializes in gardening and landscaping tools such as wheelbarrows, shovels, hoses, and more!
Mike’s YouTube Video on American Made Hammers
How To Find Hammers Made in the USA
With most productions nowadays happening abroad, how do you find hammers made in the USA? You need to look at labels, understand a bit about material sourcing, and know how to shop for them. We cover all of that info below.
What Does “Made In The USA” Mean?
First, let’s define what it means for something to be made in the USA. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines it as a product that is “all or virtually all” made in the USA. This encompasses everything that makes up the production of the product, from sourcing the raw materials to manufacturing the product. However, it’s worth noting that “virtually all” can be a gray area, so if you’d like to learn more about this, check out our general “made in the USA” labeling guide.
Let’s dive back into hammer manufacturing specifically, starting with raw materials.
Materials
To find hammers made in the USA, research the materials used. Knowing where the raw materials come from and whether it is extensively produced in the USA will help you find US-made products.
Hammer heads are made of steel, and handles are typically made of steel, fiberglass, or wood.
Steel
Hammer heads are made of steel, and the strongest and heaviest hammer typically has a steel handle.
China currently holds the crown for producing the most steel in the world. In fact, China produces more than half of the world’s steel, so most steel you find in cheaper hammers is likely to come from China. However, finding steel hammer heads made in the USA is not a difficult feat as the USA comes in fourth in terms of steel production.
Hammer companies that care about quality and durability are more likely to use US-made steel as it is three times stronger than steel made in China. So, if you’re after a hammer that will last you a lifetime, looking specifically for US-made is the way to go.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is another popular hammer handle material for its non-conductivity and decent vibrational damping qualities. They are also lighter than steel, making them easier to handle.
The United States ranks second in the world for fiberglass production by country, ranking behind China. So, as with most other raw materials, although the cheaper mass-produced fiberglass is found in China, you’ll also easily be able to find fiberglass handles that are sourced in the USA. Just be sure to double-check the country of origin when looking for a hammer with a fiberglass handle.
Wood
Wood is an excellent choice for a hammer handle due to its low impact and comfort. Wooden handles also give tools a traditional look appealing to some consumers.
Thankfully, the USA has a considerable timber industry, so finding American-made wood should be relatively easy compared to other materials. Although China still ranks above the USA, the USA doesn’t fall too far behind in wood production, coming in a close second.
Labeling
The second step to finding hammers made in the USA is to look at the label used. Title 19, Chapter 4, Section 1304 of the US Code states that any product made overseas should be labeled with the country of origin. Coupled with the fact that the FTC protects the usage of the label “made in the USA,” this piece of legislation is a huge help that cuts down the amount of research needed to find hammers made in the USA.
However, things are not as easy as they may seem. There are a few things to watch out for when looking at the labeling. First, it’s the wording used. Companies may use tricky language and synonyms to trick customers into thinking their products are made in the USA. For example, “designed in the USA” or “manufactured in the USA” means only a portion of the production takes place in the United States. Similarly, “made in America” is a common label used for products that may have been produced in Canada or Mexico.
Another thing to look out for is the usage of the American flag on labels. Just because there is a US flag on the label does not necessarily mean the product is actually made in the USA, so take it with a grain of salt.
Other Tips
Here are some additional tips to help you find hammers made in the USA.
Check The Website
Go online and check the company’s website. Remember that although companies must label their products with the country of origin, this is not the case for online or promotional materials. So, if no country of origin is listed on the website’s “About Us” or the product pages, it’s likely that the product is made overseas. On the other hand, “Made in the USA” is a huge selling point, so if this were the case, you would easily find this information on the company’s website.
Online Shopping Sites
Online shopping websites like Amazon may state the country of origin in the “Product Information” section. You should also check the FAQ section of the product page, as someone else may have already asked where the product is made.
Call The Company
Call the company and ask if you’re still unsure where a certain hammer is made. A representative should be able to answer your questions.
Hammers Not Made in the USA
Check out the hammers that are not made in the USA that we discovered during our research. You can see a full list of these brands below as well as where their hammers are being manufactured:
- Irwin Tools – Made in China.
- Stanley – Made in Brazil, and China. They have some products Made in the USA with global materials (there’s a dedicated page for these products).
- Stalwart – Made in China.
- Edwards Tools – Made in China.
- Olympia Tools – Made in Vietnam and China.
Related Research
Need more tool recommendations? Head over to our main American-made tools page.
