Punches are a fundamental category of hand tools designed to apply force onto a material to create a hole or an impression. Their main function revolves around puncturing or marking materials such as metal, leather, wood, or plastic, by driving the Sharp end of the punch through the material with a hammer or mechanical press. Punches come in various shapes and sizes, tailored to specific tasks, and are crafted from high-strength materials to withstand the impact and resist wear.
These tools are indispensable in numerous industries, from metalworking and carpentry to leatherworking and electronics. Characteristics that define punches include durability, precision, and the ability to maintain Sharpness over repetitive use. They are also characterized by their specific types, such as center punches used for marking the center of a point for drilling, pin punches for driving out metal pins, and hollow punches for creating washers and sealing rings. Some widely recognized manufacturers of punches include Stanley, Proto, and Rennsteig.