Forged carpenter's hammer with rubber handle. Carpenter's hammers have a forged flat shaft, which allows the shaft to withstand significantly greater perpendicular impacts than round shafts. The rubber handle ensures that the hammer remains firmly in the hand and does not slip when struck. Forged carpenter's hammers are used in heavy construction work, such as nailing timber, dismantling and installing frame structures and other construction tasks requiring high impact force. Forged hammers can only withstand perpendicular force, and their side edges are not intended to strike objects.