Maneuverability versus Power

garry3 said:
My take on them was they came about at the time at the time that nail guns had taken over but there was still a bunch of older guys swinging heavy steel on the framing crews. It allowed the young guys to swing a big hammer just like real framers. It cost at least three times as much and the milled faces where already half worn out. The one thing they did get out of it was a bigger face for a lighter hammer though. Claws on a sheet rock hammer head would be about the same thing but at much less cost. And so it is...
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Actually a Martinez costs roughly 8.333333333333333333 times more than a 20 oz. Estwing Straight claw which would be my #1 recommendation as a general use hammer for someone just starting out in construction or a standard issue diy’er. I have 5-6 different hammers for different tasks. What I love about my Martinez is that, even when in a pinch not wanting to run back to my job site trailer I can REALLY “persuade” something to move with little comparable fatigue. That could be the odd board that I want to get into or out of place, a stake, piece of rebar, a chunk of concrete or even just driving a 3 1/4” common framing nail. Then it’s equally at home with the majority of my hammer work which is tapping a nail set. It performs admirably in every task from dead blow to mini sledge.
 
Bigfattyt said:
Good, not too long review of a steel vs titanium hammer.



Even measures speed, kinetic energy and drives a bunch of different nails to show speed.

(Interesting enough, he found the titanium hammer edged the steel on kinetic energy average) the TI hammer was only 4 ounces lighter, and had a replaceable steel strike face...)
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I love a good tool review! You know I wouldn’t be too interested in a Stiletto either. The handle is indeed wonky and the whole thing is titanium. But this really is a DIYers video. A carpenter wouldn’t take it seriously. I have 6 nail guns in my work trailer. When Milwaukee finally releases their new cordless framer I’ll have 7. There actually is an Amish framing crew here where so live. I noticed one of them had a Martinez on his belt... I was stunned! Then I noticed another one of them had one. But that’s beside the point... Most of us don’t do a lot of driving nails with a hammer. I know I don’t. I set nails with one often with different manners. What I do often is use it to move objects into or out of place when they are resisting the desired movement. I’m really surprised that he glossed over vibration/fatigue. He must solely use a hammer for driving nails which in the grand scheme of building is not realistic in the modern setting. Every carpenter I know would say they use their hammer for far more than driving/pulling nails. Honestly a better test between the two hammers he’s using would be to hit a work bench or other hard surface 100-200 times and report the results. Of course the second hammer would be getting the “sloppy seconds” as is likely the case in this test as well. So in this case it is subjective and an individual really has to have each in their hands to really get an impression let alone have a valid opinion.
 
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I really think I would be hard pressed to find a hammer that wouldn't beat a steel handled Estwing's performance driving nails and I didn't waste any of my life watching that video. Them heavy steel hafts bring nothing to the table other than being hard to break. Better off just learning how to change a wooden haft, there is nothing better.
 
Finally pulled the trigger on a Kestrel Feather Explore More Edition. Looking forward to years of non-violent everyday use. Reasons:

1. Slightly faster to draw, manipulate and strike due to reduced weight in an emergency.

2. Color scheme makes it more sheeple friendly as long as it remains in the sheath. Remove it from the sheath and they will p their pants ... obviously a Klingon killing tool. No reason to unsheath in public barring an emergency.

3. Old enough to not care what LEO's think about it. Is is legal for open carry in New Mexico. Most of them are cool in my rural middle-of-nowhere county. Probably won't carry it in ABQ, Santa Fe or other toilets.

Thanks for all of the (mostly helpful) responses.
 
Why walk your dog in an area where there is a history of wild animal attacks in the first place ? It should be pretty easy to figure out how and where to walk your dog without putting yourself in mortal danger huh?
 
gben said:
Why walk your dog in an area where there is a history of wild animal attacks in the first place ? It should be pretty easy to figure out how and where to walk your dog without putting yourself in mortal danger huh?
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I live in a county that is 4 times the size of Rhode Island with a human population of 12,000. Even at that, wild animal attacks are rare. A year or so ago, a lady walking her dog in "the big city", Truth or Consequences, was attacked and killed by pit bull terriers. (NOTE: I blame the owners and not the breed.) We don't have nearly the problem with feral hogs that they have in Texas and other places but I was attacked by a medium sized boar about 6 years ago. It was either a medium sized boar or the world's record Javelina, they look similar. Mentally deranged 2 legged critters and allahu-akbar mf-ers pop up in rural Texas and elsewhere. Oh yeah, plenty of meth heads here and they closed the 2 border patrol check points giving access through the state for drug traffic and illegals. Gang graffiti in state parks. Don't know what kind of Shangri-La you live in but the world ain't the same place it was not that many years ago. I'm an old Boy Scout: Be Prepared.
 
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