A tendon reflex is one of the quickest windows into the nervous system — but only if it is elicited cleanly. A good reflex hammer does most of that work for you: enough mass, swinging freely, delivering a crisp tap that the muscle answers. The wrong hammer, or the wrong technique, gives a muffled or absent response that means nothing. This guide compares the four reflex hammers a UK clinician, vet or student is most likely to meet, and how to choose one that actually works.
The Taylor (tomahawk) hammer
The Taylor is the one everyone pictures: a triangular rubber head on a short flat handle. The broad face taps large tendons (knee, ankle) while the pointed apex reaches smaller ones such as the biceps. It is inexpensive, familiar and perfectly serviceable for routine work, which is why it dominates student kits and general practice. Its limitation is mass — the light head needs a confident strike to give a reliable response.
The Buck hammer
The Buck carries two heads on a small metal stem — a larger and a smaller face — so you can switch tap size without changing tools. Many Buck hammers build sensory testing into the handle: a retractable pin and a brush for assessing sharp and light touch. That makes it a compact all-rounder for a bedside or clinic-bag kit.
The Babinski hammer
The Babinski uses a heavier round head on a long, flexible handle. The flex lets the head swing freely and the extra weight delivers a consistent tap with less effort — favoured by neurologists who examine reflexes all day. Many versions unscrew to reveal a brush or needle for sensory work. It is the choice when you want repeatable results across a long list.
The Queen Square hammer
The Queen Square — a flat disc head on a long, slim cane-style handle — is the classic British neurology hammer. You hold it near the end and let it pivot from the wrist so the weighted head swings like a pendulum; the long lever and free swing produce a clean, low-effort strike. It takes a little practice but rewards it with beautifully consistent reflexes.
Technique: let the weight do the work
Whichever hammer you hold, the principle is the same: relax your grip, swing from the wrist and let the head's mass deliver the tap. Tension in your hand dampens the strike. Position the limb so the tendon is slightly stretched, strike the tendon (not the muscle belly) and compare side to side. A hammer with good free-swinging balance makes this far easier than a stiff, light one.
How to choose
Weigh the trade-offs: the Taylor for low cost and familiarity; the Buck for a compact kit with built-in sensory tools; the Babinski or Queen Square for the smooth, weighted swing that experienced examiners prefer. Look for a securely bonded head (a rubble head that works loose is useless), a comfortable handle and — if you assess sensation — integrated pin and brush so you carry one tool, not three.
Reflex testing rarely travels alone, so see our companion clinical guides, and browse the neuro range below.
