Abstract: An improved hammer head structure with integral nail-starting feature. The nail-starting feature is accomplished by a nail head seat horizontally forged, bored or otherwise machined into the neck of the hammer head parallel to and beneath the poll. The nail head seat is formed with a conical-taper to accommodate a range of nail types/sizes, and to eliminate sliding and prevent shifting of the nail head despite a downwardly-arcing drive. In addition, a nail-holding device is inserted upwardly into the poll of the hammer head, and this extends either a clip or magnet downward beneath the poll to support the length of the nail. The nail-holding device is flanked by two opposing lobes which provide a deeply grooved nail shaft guide for further support and protection of the nail. The length of the nail is supported by a clip or magnetic nail-holding insert that is set into a borehole running upward into the poll of the hammer.