Is there a tool more fundamental than a hammer? From our earliest ancestors smashing things with rocks to modern day 10 pound sledge hammers, the primal urge to impose your will with brute force is uniquely satisfied with the focused strike of a hammer. Nothing quite makes a man feel alive like beating inanimate objects into submission. And who among us has not lifted our hammer aloft, imagining ourselves to be the Norse god Thor wielding his legendary hammer Mjolnir, or as children, who didn’t “borrow” their dad’s hammer and pretend to be a blacksmith forging weapons of war in the backyard? Is it even possible to pick up a hammer and not have the instant urge to start smashing things?

The hammer is the most basic force multiplier. By lengthening the lever action of the arm, and placing the bulk of the weight at the end, the hammer magnifies the force a human can apply and delivers that blow in small area. This creates an efficient transfer of energy. Sure, some hammers exist for more delicate tasks that require lighter and more measured taps, be it sculpture or archaeology, but that is not the realm of electrical linework. Those in the utility industry do not have the time or the patience to delicately tap away at pole hardware. Utility jobs often require an authoritative strike, and linemen need serious tools to deliver serious blows. This isn’t the fine art of sculpture or the delicate work of uncovering ancient artifacts. This is about getting stuff done.

Of course, utility workers have been known to use whatever is in their hands to deliver that strike. Some companies have even recognized this tendency. Milwaukee now offers a Lineman’s Ratcheting Wrench with an included strike face. They even offer it in milled and smooth face versions. It’s a highly recommended tool, but when it comes to a dedicated hammer, lineman designed to take some serious abuse. This is why lineman hammers are typically heavier and more durable than similar looking counterparts. The heads of lineman hammers are often as much as twice the weight as a typical framing hammer.

In addition to the improved durability brought about by better materials, many modern lineman hammers offer bonus features designed for activities such as J-Hook removal or staple pulling. There are options for smooth or milled striking faces depending on what is being struck and the risk of slippage. Milled faces help prevent slipping and potentially damaging staples or nails when hammering. There are fiberglass, wood, and solid steel handles. But at its core, the lineman hammer is all about striking objects to make them move. And as any lineman could tell you, a hammer is much more effective than your fist at driving hardware into poles.

Madi Lineman Hammers

Madi has built a name for itself for innovating tools in the electrical utility industry. Lineman trust them for a variety of hand tools, and they offer several variations of lineman hammers for your needs. The Madi Lineman’s Hammer comes with a smooth or milled main striking face and a smaller milled face for starting staples. The integrated staple puller makes this hammer indispensable.

The Madi Claw Milled Lineman Hammer is one of our most popular hammers. The claw end is perfect for removing ground wire and molding. The milled in is ideal for driving staples, and the non-conductive fiberglass handle is long enough to allow for two handed striking if you need to deliver some extra force.

Klein Tools Lineman Hammers

Klein Tools Lineman’s Mill-Faced Hammer has one milled face for driving staples used in pole-line work and common, unhardened nails. The other face is smooth for driving heavier duty hardware. The ergonomic handle provides extra comfort and includes a lanyard hole for convenient use with a tool tether.

Each tool within Klein Tools’ line is job-matched to fit the task at hand. The Lineman’s Straight-Claw Hammer is no different, offering a heavy-duty design. Designed specifically to help dedicated lineworkers get the job done. This classic design is made in the USA.

Milwaukee Lineman’s Hammer

The Milwaukee 4-in-1 Lineman’s Hammer features both milled and smooth strike faces to complete all driving applications. Built-in staple pullers and a j-hook remover deliver you added functionality and increased productivity with the most versatile lineman’s hammer. The handle features high-strength fiberglass and is reinforced for overstrike protection.

Any Hammer Can Be a Lineman Hammer

If a lineman needs to use a hammer, it is now a lineman’s hammer. Whether the task calls for a sledge hammer or a lighter framing hammer, Tallman also has the utility industry covered. Extend the lives of your wrenches and your pliers by ensuring that when the job calls for a swift firm strike, you have the right tool in hand to deliver that strike.

Trust Tallman

Hammers may be about as straightforward as tools come, but that doesn’t make them any less important. Before the wheel or the screwdriver, the hammer paved the way for humanity to start bending the natural world to our purposes, and they are still a fundamental tool in every lineman’s tool collection. At Tallman Equipment, our mission has always been to serve linemen. We know how important it is to have reliable tools in your hand, which is why we stock the best lineman tools in the industry, including lineman’s hammers.

For more about Tallman Equipment, read up on The 1952 Society here, learn more about Tallman’s history, and check out how our rubber testing department can keep your rubber inventory tested and compliant.