Given the sophisticated array of power tools available to modem carpenters, a hammer might seem ordinary. But a good hammer is practically an extension of your body. You should choose one carefully and take good care of it.
When buying a hammer (or a handle), check the grain on the butt end of the handle. The grain should be parallel with the hammer’s head, and it should be close together. If the grain is at right angles to the head, and the growth circles far apart, it will break far more easily.
When fitting a new handle into an old head, make sure that it fits tightly with no gaps. I mill the handle with a rasp for a close fit. Then I drive home the wooden wedge followed by three or four metal wedges. For a little extra strength, wrap the handle near the head with electrical tape. I have known carpenters who wrap the handle with a fine wire, coat the wire with epoxy and then wrap it with tape. Every little bit helps.
A handle will last longer if you pull nails properly. Don’t pull them straight out. Instead, let the claws seize the nail, then push the handle to the side. This technique exerts much less pressure on the handle.
If the handle gets slick, rough it up with a rasp. You can even use a piece of broken glass to give the handle some tooth. And if there aren’t any bottles around to break, you can probably find some fresh pitch oozing out of a nearby 2x to rub on the handle. Happy hammering.
Larry Haun, Los Angeles, CA
