What do you think of estwing hammers

My Dad gave me his old one, 16 oz with curved claw, about 25 years ago. It's still my favorite. I bought a 28 oz in the late 80s when I was building boat docks. Still have that one too.
 
I'm not a serious carpenter, but I really like mine. It belonged to my wife's grandfather who died around 40 years ago. I'm guessing that it may be a 50 year old hammer. It is rusty and something (a rat or a ferret) chewed on the handle some. It is the only hammer I've ever had that never loosened up or lost a claw.
 
It's one of the best hammers you can buy, expensive too. Had them locked up in a glass case at a hardware store where I worked or they would get gone quicker than you can say Estwing.
 
I have a leather handled 16 oz and it just feels good in the hand and seems to be really well balanced. Like all things in life you get what you pay for.
 
I've had one with the blue nylon-covered handle for about 12 years--built the eqivalent of three houses with it. The handle's great at absorbing shock, plus when it gets knocked over onto tile the handle has a good chance of minimizing damage. :)
 
I've got a Stanley with a harmonic balancer in it. It really works at reducing the ring when you hammer something. At ~$20, it's more then most people want to pay but, it is worth it if you want to retain feeling in your hands ;)
 
I framed houses right out of HS for a few years. I used a 24oz Estwing all day and sunk many a 12d sinker with one. It was my favorite. I preferred the 20oz for finish work. Some guys didn't like them and preferred a wooden handle for shock reduction. I never had that problem.
 
I love mine and wouldn't hesitate to get another. I think they're the best hammer you'll find without spending too much. They're also the best hammers you're going to find in places like WalMart, Lowes, and ACE.

On one of the construction jobs I worked, several of the guys had ~really~ nice hammers that cost a couple-hundred dollars. Guess you could write it off as a business expense if you're a carpenter...

-Bob
 
Bob W said:
I love mine and wouldn't hesitate to get another. I think they're the best hammer you'll find without spending too much. They're also the best hammers you're going to find in places like WalMart, Lowes, and ACE.

On one of the construction jobs I worked, several of the guys had ~really~ nice hammers that cost a couple-hundred dollars. Guess you could write it off as a business expense if you're a carpenter...

-Bob
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I worked a job with a carpenter that had a very expensive hammer that he had owned for many years. There was a 16 year kid who was working on the same job and picked up the expensive hammer and proceeded to tap the hammer on a big granite rock he was sitting on while chatting over lunch. It distroyed the face of the hammer. I don't think I have seen someone as mad as that carpenter was on that day.
:grumpy:
 
Estwings are definitly good hammers. Personally, I prefer a 20 oz. to a 16 or a 24 oz. Right now I use a Wavex I got at Home Depot for $20. My dad has a 22 oz. Estwing, its got to be 20 years old. I roofed a whole house with it, its pretty nice.
 
I have 6 Estwing products ,all work very well.Most of them I've had for years .I highly recommend them .
 
I use a 22oz. smooth face Estwing. Heavy enough for framing and demolition, light and well-balanced enough to swing all day. Used it daily on a job for a while, and now it stays in my truck's toolbox so it's always handy.

Estwing also makes a 18" I-beam construction prybar that makes a good companion for a hammer. Lots of uses, and an excellent tool.
 
I worked a job with a carpenter that had a very expensive hammer that he had owned for many years. There was a 16 year kid who was working on the same job and picked up the expensive hammer and proceeded to tap the hammer on a big granite rock he was sitting on while chatting over lunch. It distroyed the face of the hammer. I don't think I have seen someone as mad as that carpenter was on that day.
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Oh man! I can't imagine the amount of restraint that carpenter must have used that day. Of course I never saw anyone leave one of those 'nice' hammers laying around... An Estwing, sure why not toss it in the back of the truck. But the nice hammers were never out of hand's reach.

-Bob
 
I'll agree with everyone else that they're very good hammers. They have a 20-24 oz smooth faced estwing where I work. I've beat the hell out of it on many occasions, using it for what it was intended once in awhile and things it was never designed for alot more often. We just don't have many tools there, they always wind up lost or broken thanks to a few people who don't know what they're doing, and won't put things away :mad: :mad: :mad:
So if I need to hammer on something, my choices are a generic 4lb hammer and the estwing. One has usually been left laying somewhere and I wind up trying to drive rebar stakes 18" deep into hard ground, or knock steel pins out on some peice of equipment with the estwing.
It has great balance, and hits like a heavier hammer. Despite hitting things with it that you REALLY REALLY aren't supposed to, the face is in pretty good shape too. The heat treat on it is very well done.
Heavy prying is no problem thanks to the one peice design also. I used it in place of a spud bar last week :eek: Still straight and in one peice :D

And I suppose I should add that I've actually used it to drive nails (imagine that) and its very good for that too.
We have a handful of vaughn, stanley, and craftsmen hammers at home and while they are all good quality, I think if I buy anymore I'll get an estwing.
 
Estwing fan here. Hammers, rock picks and hatchet in the inventory. Good quality stuff.
 
GarageBoy said:
What's a "nice" hammer brand?
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Stanley isn't bad and more cost friendly, they have been around a long time too. But you are comparing apples to apple pie as well. Sid Post bought a good one for $20 something dollars, if you can go to a hardware store where you can get service. Ace comes to mind. They usually don't ask any questions on a returned hand tool should you have a problem because they'll just send it back to the manufacturer anyway.
 
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