Tell me about your all time favorite hammer…where’d ya get it? Who made it? What was it made out of? Why’d you love it so much? What happened to it? Do you miss her?
I am a self proclaimed shameless tool pig. But even with all the fancy new cordless tools and all the new space age materials and bigger badder better versions of the old stuff, my all time favorite tool is the hammer. And of all the hammers I own (around 30…not quite Pro-Dek but I’m trying!) I had a favorite…
She wasn’t expensive and wasn’t given to me, I bought her off the internet. It was a 25oz Estwing framing hammer with an 18in hickory handle. I still have two other “identical” ones, but they aren’t the same. They really aren’t…they don’t feel the same at all. It just had a feel like no other hammer I’ve ever swung. Always hit the sweet spot, in fact I think the entire wafflehead was a sweet spot. It was an absolute joy to two-swat 16d sinkers into top and bottom plates with this hammer, thereaputic if you will. I must’ve drove a million nails with that thing and I honestly can’t say I ever remember smashing my thumb with it! Oh yeah…she was a lady!
Swung that hammer daily for about a year and a half and put her down to try out the Stiletto when they first came out. In this time I kept it in the cab of my truck, not in one of the utility boxes with the rest of them. One of my guys came to work one day without a hammer (awesome huh) and I tell him to grab one from my truck without even thinking, of course he went into my cab rather than the box… well he busted that handle within an hour. I couldn’t believe it, I really couldn’t. I actually felt sad! I tried several different handles on that head, but it never felt the same. She now sits handle-less on my dashboard as a cruel reminder never to wander on “my girl” ever again.
I have serious issues, huh?
Replies
a... yeah you got some issues but hey I think we all do...
My favorite is the first hammer I bought for myself. A 16 oz all metal estwing. I bought her with my first real paycheck from my first real job. I was 14 and a guy in my neighborhood owned a small local hardware store so I pestered him into hiring me. Think I was paid 4.25/hour.
Still have it, still use it.
I thought I lost it earlier this year then found it in a tool box. I think when I found it I was as happy as the day I bought it.
Her name is Bessy.
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.
My first hammer my Grandfather bought me when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I built my mother a garage for her Pontiac with my hammer and nails and wood I got from I don't know where.
I nailer it right TO the car, musta been an early 50s Pontiac, I remember that Indian head on the hood still.
She was pissed, and I was a builder. One hammer and a bag of nails, what a gift!!
Joe H
Favorite hammer for sentimental reasons is a Stanley 16 oz smooth face, rip claw with a blue fiberglass handle.
She is 26 years old this summer. My Dad bought her for me after he found me a real job working summers for my high school shop teacher. I don't use her anymore but your post got me thinking I might just have to dig her out and pound a few nails for old times sake.
"I have serious issues, huh?"
I'm pretty sure several years of intense psycotherapy will cure just about anything, except maybe that twitch under Clint Eastwood's left eye.
My first two hammers were laborers hammers, 16oz Plumb and a 20oz Estwing rip claw. After two years of cleaning forms, the claws are just rounded stubs and the faces are beat up and chipped from smacking pins. I still have the Estwing but I'm unattached.
I have a few framing hammers, all wooden handles, my favorite is a Vaughn although I recently bought a Fat Max for a deck job because I thought the nail holder in the head might come in handy. They are in the toolbox, but I don't miss them.
My first carpenters hammer was an Estwing 16oz claw. What I really wanted was the hammer my Boss had, a 16oz Rocket, I thought he was a God, and still do, but I couldn't find a Rocket. The first Monday I used that Estwing I was cutting up some scrap 2x4 for pegs. I had just been promoted to carpenter that Friday and I was showing them all they hadn't made a mistake and the pile of pegs was rapidly growing when a bunch of sparks flew off of the blade and to my horror I had set the hammer on the sawhorse and had ripped right through the bottom corner, the handle of my brand new carpenters hammer. All the boys had a shot at ribbing the heck out of me for the next while but everybody knew and still knows 25 years later what my hammer looks like.
Turtleneck
the only miracles I've ever produced are waiting for me at home
Estwing with the leather handle. Not very ergonomic, try not to get it wet. Reminds me of the hammer my father had back in the early 60's.
Do it right, or do it twice.
My first (of several) 25oz Hart California Framer. Took a rasp and sliiimmed down her handle. First nail, first swing, she took a BITE outa my thumb, still got the scar.
Power? Ooooh yeah. Learned to SINK those 16s with one blow. Accurate too, used to play with gun-nail strips...one blow = sink one nail (3 outa 4 times anyway.) Can you tell that some jobs had a lot of "wait" time???
Still haven't found her replacment.
SamTSleepless in Columbia. Diurnal rhythm? What songs did they do?
diesel,
For framing, 30 oz estwing, I love that thing (i have two) . Drive a 16d sinker in one easy swat. Had the guys betting one day how long before I'd miss. I like my airguns but sometimes it just feels good to grab a bunch of nails and bang away. I have a bunch of other hammers but I always go back to that one. tried an estwing 28 oz, a hart 25 oz, a vaughn 23 oz. which I gave to one of my guys , he loves it. I keep going back to the 30 oz. I guess if it ain't broke don't fix it.
for trim I am partial to a 22 oz estwing probably because it feels so much like the 30 oz just lighter. the 16 inch handle is really handy when you are running baseboard . Just find a stud and then use your hammer for a measuring stick. grab the airgun and nail away.
I also have a 25 oz hart with the straight handle that I like a lot for siding and occasionally for trim. I'm just not partial to small hammers I guess.
big thing is to use something you are comfortable with. We are all different and the bottom line is to hit the NAIL on the head, not your fingernail.
mark
OK, I make a motion to rename theprofesser to "JohnHenry" You da man! Sure that's not your arm in WAHD's sig pic?
Pro,
LOL, I don't swing it all day dude. That's what they make nailguns for. But it is the most well balanced hammer I have ever had and I don't really have to swing it that hard. And being a GC who does most of his own work as well as an architectural woodworker and furnituremaker I don't swing it everyday. There are times I go for months without framing anything. I have however been known to yell at the TV when I see someone using what I would consider a tinker toy, GET A REAL HAMMER!
estwings forever
mark
My first hammer was a 16oz tubular metal handled craftsman that I bought for my first full time job as a carpenter. (Squarish tube, not just a pipe.)
Till then, I borrowed.
I still have that hammer. It is a beaut.
The best hammer I have ever bought... my "girl"... is the one in the pic below. Until I bought that hammer, I never knew that a hammer wasn't supposed to jar your teeth when using it. I got carpal tunnel symptoms all the time when nailing. But this hammer put a stop to that. Now I can hammer a lot longer without pain.
I have had it now for about 5 years. It walked away from me here, a while back. But I did a lot of loud complaining, and it suddenly showed back up again.
A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.
Quittin' Time
I like my death stick. I have the axe handle version and I love that baby. It just feels right to me, for heavy hitting. As far as trimming I have an old estwing leather handle that is sweet.
Who Dares Wins.
I've dated a lot of hammers over the years but never felt like I had found "the one." Pro-Dek introduced me to the Douglas 20 oz. framer a few weeks ago and I can honestly say I'm finally in love.
Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Pro-Dek introduced me to the Douglas 20 oz. framer a few weeks ago and I can honestly say I'm finally in love.
Man you need work less and work on your home a little less, spend some time with the wife, particularly an evening with out kids if you know what I mean... ;)Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.
Well, I dont have the "one" yet, but I have seen her. She's that Douglas framer that everyone has been talking about. The local tool store got some in about two months ago. Saw it and started playing (swinging it) in the store. It was nice......very nice! Even convinced the sales guys to go out to the truck and drive a couple of nails with it. They thought I was nuts ( they are probably right).
Just cant justify buying one when Ive got two 22 oz Estwings just sitting around. Havent done much framing lately. If only someone would come by and steel my Estwings.........
M2akita
First tool I bought for my buisness was a 25oz Hart California Framer. I figured I'm a "real" carpenter now better have a "real" hammer. Even wrote the date on the bottom of the handle. I figured fifty years from now I'd hang it on the wall in my den as say, "see kids that's the hammer that started it all."
Broke it about a month ago. The head snapped off and fell claw end down on my hoof. mashed the heck out of one of my toes. I'll probably re handle it someday, but for now it's just hanging out in a drawer. Justus Koshiol
Running Pug Construction
Boy, first hammer I ever used used was my dad's 16 oz leather handled, curved claw Estwing. Partially built a fort and lost the hammer.
Started in carpentry in '63, can't even remember back that far, got no what kinda hammers but I'm sure I went through a bunch of wooden handles. I know I had a curved claw 16 oz Blue Grass when I met my wife to be. She had a red handled Plumb, that sealed the deal. Dang if I didn't loose it first job after we got married. Still a touchy subject...
Went back to Blue Grass curved claw, but after one of the crew saved his butt from sliding off a roof by slamming a 20oz rip claw metal shafted Estwing through the decking, I was converted. Hey, I was overtaken by the faith, I got a 22 and 28 ounce meat grinder. Then, when I started trimming our first house, DW got me a cute little 13 oz wooden handled Blue Grass. Hammers were multiplying.
Years later all my stuff got ripped off, except for the 20 and 28oz Estwings. I was doing trim,and they were a bit heavy handed. Got another 13oz Blue Grass( still has the 24.95 price mark on it, and I still can't believe I paid that much for such a puny hammer) to replace DW's sweet gift.
Long story longer, I finally found another hammer I like. 16oz Hart Trimmer...sucker even sings to me when I actually bang a nail with it...and that rip claw, they had to name it that cause it rips off sheetrock that's in my way, and it rips it off so good<G>
PS. My dad found that old Estwing, and I have it now, minus one piece of leather...I leave it loose as a reminder...
It's nice to love a hammer
EliphIno!
I'm still swinging my all time favorite hammer. She's hit thumbs, catspaws, and nails, stabbed beams, pulled nails, hit hangers, even pried on a few things, and she always shines.
Shes always at my side, there when I need her. When I hold her, well, I just feel good all over.
She has a sister proudly displayed on the wall. How sad it must be for her to shine all the time and never get the experiences of creating something new.To bond with the Carpenter and be held in esteem. To get worn down but polished, and held with pride day after day.
The sister will never get to feel as lucky as this 10 year old beauty.
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Are those hand-carved grip lines on the handle?...that's not a mistake, it's rustic
Hand Carved? No, I just rolled the handle on the edge of my bench grinder one day so it wouldn't be so slippery."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Yup gotta be the Douglas 18 oz framer and finishing hammers .Felt right the first time I touched em. Been doing mostly siding and finishing lately so it's heavy nuff. Probably buy a couple more ounces when I start my next framing project. I just graduated from a shorty van to a full size so I gotta bit of space to fill up with some new toy er tools. cheers Rik
I think a bunch of you guys need to spend a lot more time with a female of the human species. know if I could only find my red handled 16oz plumb my wife or kids keep misplacing.
I don't remember what happened to my first hammer; I got it when I was a little bit older than my son is now. (He's five, and I got him a Lee Valley 8oz woody with an octagonal head for Christmas when he was 3½. Within a day he'd hammered the snot out of the arm of the hand-made easy chair in the den in the basement.) My dad bought it for me along with a few other tools--a cross-cut saw, screwdriver and a hand drill, and I found the whole set under the Christmas tree in a wooden toolbox he'd made me himself.
I used my grandfather's hammer for years when I was in my twenties; the durn thing had a bull's-eyed face and a curved claw that curled back absolutely vertically, I mean the claws pointed straight down. It was a sixteen-ouncer, wood handle, of course. I've still got it somewhere; I think it's with the painting tools--granddad, from the look of the paint stains on the handle, used it to close cans with.
I bought my first 'real' hammer to build my own house--a store-brand (Mastercraft) 22-oz ripping hammer with a 16" wood handle. I figured I'd better supplement the new 16-oz claw I'd been using since I retired granddad's. I was so proud! Carried that thing even when all I was doing was supervising the concrete guys. It got me through that house, and somewhere along the line I busted the handle and couldn't find a replacement to fit. I finally bought a handle for a big ball-peen and hand carved it to fit the head, but it never felt the same.
Spotted a dusty Estwing wooden handled 20oz bell-faced straight claw one day while I was on the way up into the bush with a buddy to help him install some windows in his log cabin. The thing had been lying on the shelf for so long they sold it to me for $10. just to get rid of it. (90% of the hammer swingers around here go steel handles). But that durned hammer just wouldn't hold onto the nail! It finally got launched off into the woods; DW brought it back and now it sits in the bottom of my toolbox for when I can't leave waffle tracks but I need more beef than my 16oz'er.
Found a 28-oz. Vaughan California Framer one day with a monster-long 18" wooden handle and the biggest, nastiest-looking waffle face I'd ever seen; again it was covered with shelf dust and I got it for $25 as a Mother's Day present for DW. She left it behind when she ran off and stole the kid a month ago. Hauled her into court and got the boy back for the time being; but the hammer just sits there in the shop. So be it.
My 'girl' is the one I found about two years ago, again a Mastercraft, Canadian Tire's house brand (not sure who makes it for them but it's either Vaughan or Estwing, I'd say, from the quality). She's a 28-oz ripper, sort of a short version of a C-Framer with the big fat waffled face, and a 16" wooden axe handle. First job I did with her I'd started with my old straight-handled ripper, stripping the tin off a 2000SF roof--all nailed on with lead washers and 1" nails. We had to yank every nail one by one, and by the end of the first day, my forearms were screaming at me. I had to pick up some materials that evening and when I saw the axe-handled job hanging in the rack in the store I picked it up just to feel the weight. I walked right to the cash with her, took her home and wrapped some hockey tape on the butt flare, and I'll never go back to a straight handle again. I don't have to hold on to her--she's part of my arm.
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
Nothin' special - many may wonder why - but my only hammer for about the last seven years has been a 20 oz., waffle face, rip claw, fiberglass handle, Craftsman - that's right - I said Craftsman - never gave it much thought, but, I guess I am kinda fond of it - haven't tried a lot of others, but, think if I lost it tomorrow - I would just go buy another one just like it - It pounds stuff together and tears things apart well
I use the craftsman 24 oz. framing hammer for all my demolition and framing . The nice thing is I take it back every 6 months or so and get a new one.
ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
Andy,
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only fan of Craftsman hammers--I also use the 24-oz. framer for wall, joist, and rafter day and switch to their 20-oz. fiberglass-handle for pick-up work and cut days. The checkering on their hammers has lasted longer than on any Estwing and the balance on both are excellent.Quality before Quantity
Homemade California framer I had when I was 18 working in Oregon.
It was given to me by my boss when I was complaining about numbness while using an Estwing. It was just the right size and the bulky head made it look great. I just felt great using it.
I went back to college and I don't know what happened to it.
A 20 oz check-head straight claw Blue Grass. Dug it up in the garden. On maybe her 5th handle. Went slidding down the roof about 20 years ago and performed an ice-axe self arrest with her. She's special...
18 years ago I bought a vaughn 21 oz woodie california framer my broken radius couldn't take the shock of steel "eastrings" any more, broke the handle in 2 weeks went home to SNOW & NEALLY got a straight grain bucks foot axe handle, not hatchet, made it fit that lasted 6 years am working on handle #3 keepin an eye out for #4 as SNOW & NEALLY has gone to off site mfg. That hammer has been from Canada to Mexico to Alaska to Florida I still love the feel of her guess that's why I'm still a nailbanger.
PS my trimmin hammer is a 20 oz straight claw straight handle vaughn woodie
The brown shirt finaly dropped her off Tuesday, but I was out of town until last night. And with all the obligatory I missed you sex and stuff I didn't get around untill really giving the hammer a good looking over untill tonight.
Nice piece of work. Douglas tools is everything everyone says it is. I took her out to the shop tonight and worked on the handle to give her some grip. The standard handle is too slick so I followed Bobs advice and tuned her up with the bench grinder. I think I've just found my new girl. She feels real comfortable and very well balanced. Thanks guys for finaly convincing me to try one out. Here's a picture.Who Dares Wins.
You choke too far up on the handle.
You must swing like a girly.
<G,D&R> A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.
Quittin' Time
My eyesight is going, I need toget closer. LOLWho Dares Wins.
ROFLOL
Good comeback.
: ) A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.
Quittin' Time
LOL I thought you would like that. Actualy I looked after you said that and I do need to groove it lower.
Who Dares Wins.
Edited 7/12/2003 9:43:02 PM ET by Gunner
.300?
?Who Dares Wins.
The casings to the left of your G/F
Ohh! It's a .50 cal pencil holder. Souvenier from the first gulf war. A buddy of mine made it.Who Dares Wins.
Man did I have a bad morning. Last night I went to the lumber yard to pick up a 12' 4x8 and had to break the band on a new bundle with the claw of my Woody.
This morning I un-loaded the beam and grabbed my bags and the hammer was gone. I knew in an instant where I had left it.
I called the lumber Yard and told them I would give $100. reward to anyone that new of its where abouts. My kids overheard the conversation and said they would go look for it for $100.dollars :-)
The yard called back and told me one of the guys that works in the yard picked it up and took it home and would return it tomorrow. I am so relieved that I'll get my old faithful hammer back. We have been through ALOT in the last 10 years.
They won't allow a reward so I think I'll buy the guy lunch.
I'm curious If you saw this hammer laying in the yard would you return it to the office or just keep it?
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Turn it in.
Turn it in to the office, keeping it and saying nothing is the same as stealing sorta.
Now if it wasn't claimed after a while well then maybe...?
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.
Let me get this right. The guy picked up your hammer and took it home and you are offering to buy him lunch? Surely there is a lost and found policy for items employees find lying around that obviously belong to one of their customers. I doubt it includes taking it home for safe keeping.
Glad you are getting your baby back but I personally think I might smack the dude with it rather than buy his lunch. That's like taking your child home Bob!
I hereby sentance him to an inverted waffle faced Pro-Dek knot on the head but just one cause he fessed up to swiping it in the first place. I expect a report.Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
That's exactly what I was thinking.
But I think Bob's approach is much more betterer.
Think about it. Yes, the knobby did take it home. But at least he admitted it, and brought it back. Buy him lunch for that, and you now have a best friend on the inside. He will be looking for other ways to make your day.
Pavlov's lumberyard worker...
BTW:, hey Bob... Give something to the whole bunch. A couple boxes of donuts, early in the morning, or something. Be sure to let them know who and why.
A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.
Quittin' Time
Like your last idea a lot. The hammer swiper can munch on his donut while he is waiting for the swelling to go down and the rest of them will think "hey, this Pro-Dek guy ain't half bad." Whole bunch of best friends on the inside and they'll know exactly how fast they better be turning over the next Hart Woody they find lying around.
With any luck they'll appreciate Pro-Dek enough to add a few, "oops, didn't mean to drop that 2x4 on your head" lumps to the inverted waffle faced, goose egg head for messing with Pro-Dek's hammer in the first place. :-)>
I mean come on Luka... He took Bob's girl home! Sorry man, no lunch - one lump. I'll allow donuts for everyone when its over with.
Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Edited 7/17/2003 5:06:54 PM ET by Wrecked Angle
LOL
: )
A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.
Quittin' Time
OK Kevin- you're right! I guess a reward was too much but the guy won't get a "D" shaped waffle from me. I'm just elated to have my girl back.
I was thinking that it was better an employee picked it up rather than a contractor.
An employee does not know its value as much as a contractor.
It's just a hammer as my boys say.
I have to tell you, that my everyday hammer has more sentimental value than all the hammers on my wall.
Luka- the donut Idea is great! Krispy Kream is just down the street.
I showed the guys in the yard my story and hammer picture that I posted on "Tell me about your Girl" and they all seem to have a little more respect knowing how much a hammer really means to us.
I still don't know who took it home but I'm glad he had a conscience and big enough heart to bring it back.
Thanks for sharing you Guys,
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Pro
If stealing it was his intention, you wouldnt have it now, buy the guy the lunch.
He did come forward and you got your hammer back.
Doug
I agree.
He might have taken it home, thinking he was getting a really nice hammer for free, but when it became known to him that the owner wanted it back, he brought it right back.
Doesn't sound like an intention to steal, to me. More like an intention to end up being the new owner if no one showed up asking for it. There is a difference.
A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.
Quittin' Time
Luka
Exactly, its nice to know that great minds think alike.
I'm not one to go round up a linch mob right off the bat, give the guy the benifit of the doubt.
Doug
I wonder if the guy really intended to keep it, or took it for safekeeping?
If I found a hammer like that I wouldn't turn it in - There are always dishonest employees that might take it. I'd hang onto it and ask around to see who it belonged to. Maybe that's what he did?There's a hole lot to see at the Grand Canyon.
My all-time best hammer is a Vaughan that was made in the mid to late 1980's. They called it the California Framer, but it isn't the same one you buy today.
This one has an octagonal neck and a slight negative rake between the face and tha handle. The new CF-1 has a round neck, a bigger face, no rake, and nowhere near as good of balance.
This hammer actually looks like a rig axe that had the hatchet part removed and a rip claw welded on instead.
I sure wish they still made this one. I even talked to some of the folks at Vaughan, but they didn't want to hear it.
DRC
I started as a California production framer 20 yrs ago and the hammer to have back then to frame with was a 28 oz Plumb rigging axe, thats one bad #### nail pounder.Then we went to the whimmpy 24 oz Hart framing hammer. These days you can pay $80 bucks for one of those titainium hammers that if you dont know how to swing it you still cant spank a teener in one wack. Now that I'm a bit older the 22 oz hammer works great for me or better yet they 6 lbs. nail gun even works better for my aching joints. Hack. Temecula, Ca The home of the worlds fastest production framers