A sledgehammer or sledge is a tool with a flat, massive, often metal head, attached to a long wooden or solid handle. Its long handle and heavy head allow the sledgehammer to pick up momentum during a swing and apply a large force compared to hammers designed to drive nails. Along with the mallet, it can distribute force over a wide area. This is in contrast to other types of hammers, which concentrate gravity and force in a relatively small area.