What tool is best for driving large nails or stakes into the ground?

The sledge is the ideal tool for driving large nails or stakes into the ground because it is specifically designed for heavy-duty tasks that require a significant amount of force. Its weight and design allow it to deliver powerful blows, making it effective for driving large objects deeply into tough materials like soil or compacted ground. This is particularly important when you need to ensure that the stakes remain firmly in place for structural stability, such as when setting up a tent or anchoring a fence.

Mallets, while useful for striking tools without marring their surfaces, do not provide the same level of force as a sledge. Screwdrivers are not designed for driving nails or stakes at all; they serve a completely different function of turning screws. Wrenches are intended for gripping and turning nuts and bolts, not for driving items into the ground. Thus, for the specific task of driving large nails or stakes, the sledge is the most effective and appropriate choice.