I am a sucker for new hammers. For me they don’t only have to work well, but should also have a pleasing look. Some I’ve bought turn out to be useful, like my Japanese Dogyu, some not. Right now I have my eye on the Vaughn split-face.
What hammers do you like? Which do you think best combines function and form? Beyond the Estwings and Stillettos any little known gems you have come across?
Replies
I like the Dead on 16 oz. trimmer. (formerly the Hart). I swelled with pride when I saw that Tommy Silva had the same hammer.
If you come across a True Temper Rocket, 20oz straight claw, don't hesitate. They've been out of production for many years so they are hard to find.
True Temper has been making hollow steel golf club shafts for fifty years or more. Their engineering puts the maximum wallop into the golf ball or nail while damping out most of the returning shock to the hand and arm.
Anything is possible on the internet...
http://www.hammersource.com/Framing_Hammer_Vaughan.html#TXTOBJ7D4148161E83481
PS. You might have to scroll down to see the rockets.
It's not too late, it's never too late.
Edited 7/27/2008 4:45 pm ET by dustinf
Hey, thanks! I'm a little suspicious, only because it doesn't carry the True Temper name.
I'd rather find one of the originals if I can. It's worth the extra time, just to have an authentic TT Rocket.
Hudson
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-TRUE-TEMPER-ROCKET-CLAW-HAMMER-A20RL_W0QQitemZ300244827969QQihZ020QQcategoryZ39730QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Try e-bay, I see them on there all the time.
THis is the only one I see at the time.
Doug
Thanks for the link. That's my old hammer all right. I'll keep an eye on that auction.
I was just on Hammersource.com and they have Rockets back by popular demand.
Thanks Spike, I'll check it out. That was a sweet hammer. So nicely balanced and light in the hand that it could be used for anything.
Can someone fill me in on titanium? I don't understand the basis for wanting a lighter hammer head. There have always been light hammers, but we usually end up with one around 20 oz because, I always presumed, high school physics says we need the mass to generate sufficient force to sink big nails. What am I missing?
Titanium is harder and more dense than steel. You can drive a nail with the same amount of blows with titanium at a little more then half the weight. I believe that the stiletto web site explains this further.
"It is what it is."
i never did get that, how is it that half the weight can drive the nail?
several of the carps i have talked to live and in person say the titanium cause elbow probs?, and that i can have their titanium hammers.
You should read this thread. All I know is I like it.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=107955.1
"It is what it is."
Thanks for the link. I was more curious than anything. I use framing or palm nailers for just about everything, so in the scheme of things it probably doesn't matter what ends up hanging from my belt. It's mainly there for the ride anyway.
Yeah but you gotta make it pay for the extra weight. That is the primary reason for my switch. The pain free arm was an added benefit.
"It is what it is."
Thanks for the link. They appear not to lose any force through absorption because the head is harder. I have heard they might not last as long, and notice they sell replacement striking faces. Any insights? (I'm being a bit picky because if I spend over a hundred bucks on a hammer and don't like it, my Scottish side which has been in remission might flare up again).
Read this one too.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=107955.1
"It is what it is."
My titanium hammer head has the softest face of any hammer I've owned. I paid 70 for a new ti hammer with wood handle many years ago. I'm still using it and it will be the last hammer I ever buy. If it gets stolen, I'll let someone else hammer things. They work. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Somebody stole mine so if you're reading this and you have a Rocket with fluorescent orange paint all over the head, give it back!
Mine was stolen too, along with the rest of my tools. Miami Beach, aka South Beach, Feb 1980. No ID on any of them.
HVC- I still have my Rocket 20oz. straight claw from when I started in 1968. The grip is pretty worn and I've glued it back on a bunch of times, mostly a demo hammer nowadays. I love my Rocket. Wonder if the new Rocket has a face as big as the original.
22 oz. straight claw rocket.
That was my first and still one of my favorites. Don't own one now but keep my eye out when garage saleing.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
I really don't have a favorite. Used the estwing 28oz. for to many years to count!
Used the estwing 28oz. for to many years to count!
One of my framing crew guys bought one of those monsters, back in the early seventies, just so he could have the biggest, baddest hammer going. I believe that looong handle appealed to him too, as a way to stand up a little higher while end nailing.
The result was it made him slower on the draw and less accurate. But he wasn't meant to be a framer anyway.
Edited 7/27/2008 10:16 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter
Occupational therapists probably have a formula for hammer weight vs. age of the carpenter. My big Eastwing doesn't make it onto my belt half as often as it did a decade ago.
You have to be a man to operate on e of them!!
You have to be a man to operate on e of them!!
Like Dirty Harry and his 44 mag long barrel, huh?
T'ain't too quick on the draw but once you get it on target it's deadly to all common criminals/nails.
If you are real good, I will show you my quick draw!
Yea..I know...but then you'll have to kill me...cause no one ever saw it and lived.
This is like a hammer support group!
Everyone I work with call me crazy for owning more than 2 hammers. I probably own 20 hammers. My favs now are the stilettos. I have 4 of different weights and LOVE them. No more pain in my elbow. And their nail puller is great too.
I also have a similar issue w/ tool belts, I have 4. My latest was the Big Oxy Rig with the suspension. I like it but is a bit much. I am thinking of my next one and I am probably going to take DieselPig's recommendation on the DiamondBack system.
"It is what it is."
When I was working, I ran through a toolbelt every 1.5 years. Of course, we worked outside in any kind of weather!
Always wanted a Stilleto, but never seemed able to justify as my 25 year old estwing still worked(cheap old man).
I stopped in a hardware store on my way home from work the other day. This store is great but isn't close to home so anytime i am in the area i stop. Well just browsing and made a comment outloud that they had the entire Stiletto line on the wall behind the counter, a guy sitting there stood up and started handing me them. I should have never touched them. I have over 20 hammers myself , but being a tool junkie i ordered two of them online. Acetool.com has them cheaper and come with free t-shirt and occidental hammer holder, if anyone is looking to buy. As for toolbelts i have two sets from Diamondback and can't say enough about them.
My favs now are the stilettos. I have 4 of different weights and LOVE them. No more pain in my elbow. And their nail puller is great too.@@@Can you beat on their nail puller without mushrooming the head?Does the dimpler feature work on nail pulling?The ToolBear
"I am still learning." Goya
I have mushroomed the head on the cats claw. But I have done the same on steel, so I don't mind that so much. The dimpler works VERY well, you wouldn't think it would but it does. I don't use it all the time, only when I don't want to damage the wood too much. Biggest reason I bought it was it weight or lack of it.
"It is what it is."
Mushrooming is good. Splintering is bad. The nail pullers held up well for me and I can abuse a tool like that with the best of them.
It's gotta be one of the original Rockets...not the later versions. Sometime in the 80's they sold out to the Japs or something and the quality went south....way south. The Rockets weren't really Rockets anymore. You can tell the original Rockets by the quality of the milling. The older rockets have the entire hammer head milled. The cheaper versions have a lot of the casting still visible. There was a night and day difference in the way the claws performed. In my early years with the "real" Rockets, I used to be able to grab any nail head directly out of the lumber without a nail puller. That became impossible with the cheaper version. The claws were significantly inferior. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
No Stiletto's? I'm out!
Anyone ever bought a Vaugan Titanium hammer? I bought a used Stiletto and decided that titanium is for me.
This is a serious question, I'm not trying to disrespect the OP.
I've got a bunch of Blue Grass hammers... the 13oz trimmer is my favorite, but pretty wussie... Hart 16oz straight claw will pound or pull anything. Now you see this one-eyed midget
Shouting the word "NOW"
And you say, "For what reason?"
And he says, "How?"
And you say, "What does this mean?"
And he screams back, "You're a cow
Give me some milk
Or else go home"
I have one 4 sale with both waffle and smooth heads.I got one for christmas a few years ago. I don't do alot of framing and I am too short to carry it. I had to rehandle it after i cut the original trying to make it work for me. The new handle is same length as original. I will trade it for a 16oz Dead on finish hammer. I also have one of those wretched funny looking Estwings , i dont even recall the name, supposed to be ergonomic. Worst piece of junk i ever swung , anybody wanna trade?
"I also have one of those wretched funny looking Estwings , i dont even recall the name, supposed to be ergonomic"
Buying that was what stopped my hammer collecting in it's tracks several years ago. It won't easily fit in my belt, and when you do get it in it hits your knee with every step. It is why I'm asking advice here before getting going again.
@@@ Anyone ever bought a Vaugan Titanium hammer? I bought a used Stiletto and decided that titanium is for me.@@@I have the 16 oz. Vaughan Ti hammer with removable steel nose and curved handle.Good hammer. I think that 16 oz. is the space to be in if you are using ti hammer (And I have 9 - or more of them. Got to inventory again.)Another one I really like is the Dalluge Sweet 16.The ToolBear
"I am still learning." Goya
dieselpig loves the vaughn Ti ( believe he has the wood handle one). I bought one on ebay, but havent used it much. I need to modify the handle with a belt sander a little so it fits my hand a little better.
Live by the sword, die by the sword....choose your sword wisely.
"No Stiletto's? I'm out!"
No not at all. Whatever you find best, fill me in.
I have some odd obsession with hammers, and toolbelts.
I'm over 50 hammers, some obscure, some readily available. Too many to pick a favorite, or list. I refuse to carry more than 2 in my toolbox, but which 2 switches almost daily.
Prices range from free to $300.
Keep them handle up in a couple 5 gallon buckets.
I'm over the $1,000 mark in toolbelts. It's embarassing to admit, but I just can't find anything I like. So again, I change it up on a weekly, or daily, basis.
It's not too late, it's never too late.
You definitely need a choice of hammers not only for different jobs, but for different moods. Nothing dispels a bad temper quicker than going at some old framing with a heavy Estwing. Whereas a nice sunny Friday afternoon needs a subtler touch.
I really like the look of The Douglas Tool H21T.
My dad used to soak his hammers over the weekend in a bucket of water. He only bought Plumb hammers.
Plumb was my first. It was given to me by my father, so I tend to use it when I am doing something small to remember the good old day workin' with dad. The solid titanium stiletto is my favorite framer.
"It is what it is."
I got a couple BIG hammers. Being a cabnut maker I mostly used small ones, air staplers and white rubber mallets. White rubber doesn't make black marks on da wood.
I soak my hammer too when the wood starts to shrink. I never thought about soaking it on a regular basis. It probably would help. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
My dad dropped his 3 hammers in a bucket of water every Saturday. Then he sharpened his chisels and saws if they needed it.
re. Hammers
You might have a problem.
Does your wife collect shoes?
Re. tool belts, I agree I have not found a good one yet either.
I use my 15 year old one cause I am used to it, but it has its drawbacks.
I have about 6 of them.
I'm over 50 hammers, some obscure, some readily available.
At a garage sale last week, I had overlooked an oblong box with a Christmas banner printed across the corner. When I refocused on it, lo-and-behold it was a Christmas printed box from Bluegrass. I picked it up and lifted the lid. There, wrapped with old paper towel was a brand spanking new 16oz clawhammer and wooden handle glistening like a new dollar.
It turned out to be a factory boxed clawhammer sold around the Christmas holidays by Belknap. On hammer head is the boldest "Bluegrass" emblem stamped I've ever seen, and on the end of the hammer handle was a number: "47-8" (1947?). I believe the company went out of business in 1954.....
The sticker placed on the box was marked "$5".... ;>)
I also found an old hatchet. On the blunt hammer-faced end the hatchet had a short set of claws for nail pulling. I'd not seen one with a set of claws there... Any Ideas?
Bill
short set of claws for nail pulling
Got one like that, did not golook but IIRC it is a "Keen-Kutter" brand. No idea how old.
Stanleys' 1941 catalogue called them a claw hatchet but that's all i could tell you.
My mistake in earlier post, got home and looked at the claw hatchet I have, it is a Stanley, will take a pix later after camera battery charges.
My favorite is some no-name brand from the '60s , I like it so much I changed out the handle about three times and at least two new heads.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
You gonna play that thing?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Ln-SpJsy0
I've have a couple of Estwings, the original Hart framer, the Hart Decker, a couple of Douglas hammers, and others I can't remember.
The Douglas 18-oz. trim hammer is the one I use the most. I really like its feel and balance. Plus the wood handle absorbs a lot of the vibration. I'm one my third one. I broke the first and lost the second.
Someday I'd like to try one of the titanium hammers. Jer, among others, swears by them.
Titanium is solid gold, baby! This new guy I work with told me he had an old Vaughan for sell. I said fine, bring it. Turns out it was an old Stiletto with the titanium head and handle. Their newest model costs over $200! I bought it for $60 and love it. So much so, that I only use it around the house, not for work or side jobs. I want to buy a new one but the wife would beat me to death with a $200 hammer! Vaughan makes one with a fiberglass handle for under $100, but I'm hearing mixed reviews (about 50/50). You wont believe how much lighter they are, and how much faster they drive a nail.
Just got my Douglas 18 and like it a lot.
I use my 13oz Bluegrass for light stuff. And the hammer I replaced is a 16oz Estwing that I found 20 years ago in the parking lot of a power plant we were working a turnaround.
Actually the Douglas is the first hammer I've bought since I bought the Blue Grass 30 years ago.
"I've have a couple of Estwings, the original Hart framer, the Hart Decker, a couple of Douglas hammers, and others I can't remember.The Douglas 18-oz. trim hammer is the one I use the most. I really like its feel and balance. Plus the wood handle absorbs a lot of the vibration. I'm one my third one. I broke the first and lost the second.Someday I'd like to try one of the titanium hammers. Jer, among others, swears by them."What is the head material on the Douglas? Heard it was SS from somewhere but that sounded fishy. How does the head wear, any dimpling or danger of breaking the claw or face if you hit steel or concrete or pull up nails?Also, how does the side nail puller work, is it more likely to break the handle?
thx
Sorry I didn't reply earlier. I'm getting caught up from posts I missed while I was at the Fest LOL
I'm pretty sure the head is some kind of stainless. But it seems harder than other SS. My first Douglas I broke by using it to chip concrete. I had forgotten my lump hammer, and didn't feel like driving a 1/2 hour home and back to get it. So I was pounding on a cold chisel with the Douglas. After a while, it started ringing, and soon after that, the head broke off in front of the handle.
In hindsight, it would have been cheaper to go home and get the right hammer LOL
The new hammer seems to be holding up pretty well. But I'm not driving nails with it all day long, either. It has a few small dents in the face, but nothing worse than any other hammer I've had. The side puller provides more leverage for pulling nails, but I don't use it all that much. If I'm framing, I carry a cat's paw for that.
Hope this helps.
That's exactly what I was looking for, a real world report. Thanks
I also have a Douglass (20 oz. inverted waffle face)I have had for quite awhile.
I like it, still has original handle, face is good , balance is good and I prefer longer ax style handles so the handle while not a true ax style works well for me.
I have had Stanley Rockets, Plumbs, Harts Framers, Estwings and a few others. This one is as good or better than any of those.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
On my fourth Rocket now, got my first ten years ago in high school as a gift from my dad who had always used them. Broke a claw off of that one, second one got the handle cut in half by myself and the third had the head mysteriously brake off about a month ago. I am still only into them for about $100 which is less than all those wimpy titanium jobs that need new $20 handles on a monthly basis. I'll be carrying a rocket as long as I can swing. Forgot to mention that the first thing I do with a new rocket is cut the grip off and make myself a new grip using a combination of tennis grip and sports tape.
Edited 7/27/2008 8:42 pm ET by CapeFramer
My 30 year old wood handle 16 OZ. Vaughn is a dear old friend. I threaten my crew with death if I catch them pulling a nail with it.
I have a 22 oz. estwing fiberglass handle that I use for the rough stuff.
On a hill by the harbour
Just bought my newborn grandson a Estwing 22 oz leather handled.
my wife thinks I'm dumb but you all know better.
I just think of the day that he's yelling to his kid's(Wheres my hammer that my Grandpap gave me!) Ah yes truly the gift that keeps on giving.
"Gentle to the touch, exquisite to contemplate, tractable in creative hands, stronger by weight than iron, wood is, as William Penn had said,"a substance with a soul.'"
Eric Sloane
22-oz.?
that kids gonna develop a heck of an arm LOL
I nominate you for King of the Grandfathers.
my favorite are the vintage hart framing hammers, i have 3 - 21 oz and 2 - 25 oz waffle face for framing, all have been rehandled many times, and had waffle faces freshened up once as well.
the old ones are a better quality, newer versions are not the same steel.
i have a bunch of vaughn hammers for when the longer nose is required, i re-handle with longer handles, use the 20 oz mostly for pick up etc., with a handle that was made for the 28 oz monster.
where did you get your replacement handles for your harts at , i can't find them .
i had to use another brand of replacement handle, and i believe i got them at a hardware store i was in, not the orange box, when i saw they had them in stock i bought a bunch.
any handle that will fit a rigging axe or california framer type hammer should work, but check the dimension to make sure. you can always whittle some off, the tough part is adding.
i also have had dalluge, plumb, vaughn, the harts are the best. i noticed there were none for sale on ebay.
I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one with the "I need that hammer" illness. I've got Stiletto, Douglas, Dalluge, etc.
Love the Vaughn 19 oz framer for 5 yrs changed the original blue handle once. Most daily used is an Estwing 16. I also love the fiberglass made by Plumb and have owned a few over the years. However I will never forget the Vaughn 32 oz yes 32 that my brother and I both bought when we first went to work for a window setter in the tracts of Irvine. Thought is was bad a$$. Quickly found out otherwise.