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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
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Hammer time!
- Thread starter RH
- Start date
Cliff Stamp
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 5, 1998
- Messages
- 17,562
Estwing is what is commonly used around here, and what I used when I worked in construction ~10 years ago. However it seems to me that the QC has gone down hill lately. I did not hear of problems frequently, but in the last year my brother has gone through two of the hammers, and has seen several other failures from those he works with. These are bent claws, split heads, and even broken handles. The Estwing warrenty has also been reduced. You used to be able to get direct replacements where you bought them, but now you have to send them back in.
I bought a high end wooden hammer for my brother the last time his Estwing failed and it didn't last a day before the handle broke. They take quite a pounding, and no wooden handle can take any impaction without failing shortly after. So it depends on what you are doing. For rough and heavy work you can break even the best ones quite quickly. I have been meaning to pick up a synthetic and see if that lasts any length of time. Hart and Deathstick are two of the wooden handled hammers with high reputations, Hart being generally held in better regard.
-Cliff
I bought a high end wooden hammer for my brother the last time his Estwing failed and it didn't last a day before the handle broke. They take quite a pounding, and no wooden handle can take any impaction without failing shortly after. So it depends on what you are doing. For rough and heavy work you can break even the best ones quite quickly. I have been meaning to pick up a synthetic and see if that lasts any length of time. Hart and Deathstick are two of the wooden handled hammers with high reputations, Hart being generally held in better regard.
-Cliff
Actually, I was concerned with comfort and vibration absorption on equal par with dependability. Having to do some hammering of cut nails into concrete recently (for scaffolding and concrete forms), my office-soft hands found out that hammering is HARD work. I've been looking at hammers in Home Depot and I think I like the feel of the Stanleys the best. Rigid also has a nice one, but I think the palm swell is too ergonomic (is that possible) because it locks your hand in only one position. Is a 16 more versatile, or should I get a 20/22?
Cliff Stamp
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 5, 1998
- Messages
- 17,562
Heavier and longer hammers are more powerful and will be appreciated on heavier work, but if the full abilities are not needed they will just induce fatigue much faster (much the same as knives). It depends on you as well, what you find heavy another may not. The easiest way to figure it out is to buy a cheap 16 and work with it for awhile and look at the weight issue. Cheap hammers have many problems, but they can tell you something about size.
-Cliff
-Cliff
Estwing, Plumb and Craftsman were always touted by my father and grandfather, I have several Craftsman hammers, tho I remember examples of the other 2 brands being used around here for years. Sears still has a good warranty on their Craftsman handtools, go in and see if any suit you.
Titanium Hammers are expensive, but if you've got more money than muscle they might be your best friend. The Japanese style hammers I've looked at interest me, several good design concepts (side poll to hammer between studs, nail slots, cat's paw style nailpulling claw) here's an example, the Lee Valley Nailing Hammer But I don't own one so I can't comment. Good hunting.
Titanium Hammers are expensive, but if you've got more money than muscle they might be your best friend. The Japanese style hammers I've looked at interest me, several good design concepts (side poll to hammer between studs, nail slots, cat's paw style nailpulling claw) here's an example, the Lee Valley Nailing Hammer But I don't own one so I can't comment. Good hunting.