A claw hammer is a versatile tool primarily used in carpentry for driving nails into or pulling them from wood. It is composed of a metal head and a handle, which can be made of wood, steel, fiberglass, or other composite materials. One side of the head has a poll with either a smooth or textured surface and is used for driving nails, while the other is formed into a pair of downward curving V-shaped claws and is used for prying and extracting nails from wood. The greater the curve of the claw(s), and longer the handle, the greater the leverage that may be applied. Claw hammers can be used for:

• Driving nails into materials, such as pounding in a nail to hang a picture or installing studs to frame out a room.
• Removing nails by sliding the nail through the middle of the claw and using the leverage of the curved claw for nail removal.
• Ripping apart wooden structures.
• Home utility purposes, such as hanging pictures, building fencing, and minor demolition.

There are different types of claw hammers, including finish hammers, framing hammers, and Japanese finish hammers, each with their own unique features and uses.