Home DIY'ers, Woodworkers, Carpenters. Recommend me a new hammer.

[Greenman]

My daily driver.

http://www.stiletto.com/14oz_titan_hickory.php

 

[Blackjack200]

A 14 oz. hammer? What do you use it for?

 

[bfdd]

I've worked commercial construction for 11 years and never seen anyone use any of the odd-shaped hammers like that estwing he linked to. The california framers like the vaughn are common.

The Vaughn style are very common, but I have seen the other kind in use before. I've done construction and I was part of the carpenters union(although a Millwright) for 3 years. Hence the I wasn't allowed to own a claw hammer thing.

 

[Kelvrick]

A 14 oz. hammer? What do you use it for?

Titanium supposedly lets you put as much force through a 14oz hammer as say a 20oz steel hammer. Something to do with how titanium transfers more energy than steel (steel absorbs more).

Damnit, now I'm taking a look at titanium hammers. There goes the $30 budget.

 

[BoomerD]

or you could buy a steel hammer and never worry about it breaking.

thats the downside to wood and fiberglas.

The steel hammers like the Estwings are hard on your arms. The steel transmits all the shock right into your arms. Most older carpenters have gone back to wood...or to fiberglass.

I have a couple of Vaughn wooden-handled hammers that are the best I've ever owned and were given to me by professional carpenters...and are probably overkill for most homeowner use, unless, of course, you're building an addition to your house...

I also have a myriad of Estwing steel framing hammers that I almost never use, several 16 oz. fiberglass hammers that I use for hanging pictures, but not much more, and one Estwing "Sure Strike" 20 oz. "rip-claw" hammer that gets used more than all my other hammers combined.
http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=8300

http://www.amazon.com/Estwing-MRF20S.../dp/B000FK5D0M

 

[bfdd]

i hate solid steel hammers that shit is annoying. wood or fiberglass for me.

 

[Squisher]

I just bought the Vaughan last week. I can't give you a good review, but it seems to do the job. I like the feel of the curved handle a lot more than the straight handle it replaced. Note, most of my use for a hammer is not hammering nails, I've got 3 air nailers (framing, finish, and brad) and an air stapler.

 

[bfdd]

this is more like the hammer i'm used to using

and yes I've touched my nose with it.

 

[DrPizza]

I'm wondering if Estwing has reengineered their hammers over the years?? I've used my hammer for hours at a time & have never had a problem with shock absorption.

edit: Nice hammer, Greenman. Nothing makes doing a job more pleasurable than having good, quality tools while you're working.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

The Vaughn style are very common, but I have seen the other kind in use before. I've done construction and I was part of the carpenters union(although a Millwright) for 3 years. Hence the I wasn't allowed to own a claw hammer thing.

sweet. We've got union millwrights and carpenters on the payroll.

 

[Blackjack200]

I'm wondering if Estwing has reengineered their hammers over the years?? I've used my hammer for hours at a time & have never had a problem with shock absorption.

I don't really understand it, I don't think they've been re-engineered. My father has had his 22 oz. Estwing for 25 years, and it feels the same as mine.

I've been working on jobsites since I was about 14, so maybe I'm just adjusted to it and don't notice it anymore?

Using a sawzall for several minutes on end will definitely fatigue my grip and my arms from all the vibration, but I've never had any kind of an issue with a hammer, Estwing or otherwise.

 

[mizzou]

i focus my chi and punch the nail down with a fist

 

[MotF Bane]

Let's see... we have three Stanley wood handles, one Estwing rubber wrapped steel one-piece, and one wood wrapped steel one-piece of unknown make. All 16 oz.