If you only buy one tool for your home, make it a claw hammer. It sounds simple, but this one tool can hang a picture, assemble furniture, pull out a stubborn nail, or even help you pry apart two boards that someone glued together by mistake. You don’t need to be a master carpenter to get plenty of use out of a hammer, and choosing the right one is easier than you might think.

The first thing to look at is the head weight. For most household jobs, a 16-ounce hammer is the perfect all-around size. It is heavy enough to drive a nail into a stud without much effort, yet light enough that your arm won’t tire after a dozen swings. A 20-ounce hammer gives you more power, but it can feel unwieldy for small tasks like tapping in a picture hook. If you have a smaller frame or just want something easy to control, a 13-ounce hammer works fine for light duty work. The key is to hold it and feel the balance. A well-balanced hammer should rest comfortably in your hand with the head slightly heavier than the handle, so it does the swinging for you.

Next, consider the handle material. Wooden handles, usually hickory, have a classic feel and absorb shock nicely, but they can crack or split over time if you miss the nail and hit the handle instead. Fiberglass handles are more forgiving and resist splintering, making them a popular choice for beginners. Steel handles are the most durable but can transmit a lot of vibration to your arm. For most homeowners, a fiberglass handle with a rubberized grip is the way to go. That grip is important because it prevents the hammer from slipping out of your sweaty hand on a hot summer afternoon. Look for a grip that feels slightly tacky and fits the curve of your palm.

Now, how do you actually use a hammer the right way? The biggest mistake people make is gripping the handle too tightly and swinging from the elbow like they are trying to chop wood. Instead, hold the hammer near the end of the handle, not up by the head. This gives you more leverage and makes each swing more efficient. Keep your wrist straight and let your whole arm do the work, using a controlled arc. Before you swing, take a quick look at the nail. Aim for the center of the nail head, and start with a few light taps to get it started. Once the nail is set into the wood, you can use firmer, full swings. Let the weight of the hammer do the work. You are just guiding it. If you find yourself straining, you are probably gripping too hard.

The other side of the hammer, the claw, is just as useful as the striking face. To pull a nail, place the claw under the nail head and gently rock the hammer back toward you. If the nail is stubborn, you can place a small piece of wood under the hammer head as a fulcrum. This gives you extra leverage and protects the surface of whatever you are pulling from. For really tough nails, you might need to pull them out from the side, but that takes a bit of practice. Just remember to always pull straight out to avoid bending the nail.

Safety is something every homeowner should take seriously when using a hammer. Always wear safety glasses, because a nail can send a tiny chip of metal flying, or a missed swing can chip the nail itself. You should also make sure your grip is dry and that the area around you is clear. Never swing a hammer if someone is standing close by, and always keep your fingers well away from the nail head when you drive it. It sounds obvious, but many a sore thumb has resulted from a quick, careless swing. Finally, keep your hammer clean and store it in a dry place. If the handle gets oily or dirty, wipe it down. If the head becomes loose, tighten it with a shim or replace the handle. A well-cared-for hammer can literally last a lifetime.

So next time you start a project, reach for your hammer with confidence. With a little practice, it will feel like an extension of your own arm, ready to hang, build, and repair anything your home throws at you.