Which of the following tools is primarily designed for striking?

The tool primarily designed for striking is a hammer. Hammers are specifically engineered to deliver force to another object, making them ideal for driving nails, breaking objects apart, or fitting pieces of material together. The design of a hammer, which usually consists of a heavy head attached to a long handle, allows for efficient transfer of energy when swung. This striking capability is essential in various applications, including construction, repair, and firefighting, where it may be necessary to breach barriers or carry out forcible entry.

In contrast, the other tools mentioned serve different purposes. A chisel is intended for cutting or shaping material but is not primarily designed for striking; it requires a hammer or similar tool to be effectively used. A saw is designed for cutting through materials like wood or metal, employing a back-and-forth motion rather than striking. A clamp is a fastening device used to hold objects together and does not have a striking function at all. Therefore, the hammer stands out as the most appropriate tool for striking tasks.