What do you think of estwing hammers

I have 5 of them. 3 with the classic leather washer handles, 2 of the new I-Beam construction. Picked up the first one when I was in High School and needed to build my tool kit. Reason for buying one then was the Estwing design of a single forged head and shaft meant the head won't be flying off like many other hammers were proned to in those days.
 
My first hammer was a Stanley. 16oz finishing hammer with a fiberglass handle. I must've been 5 years old when my Dad gave it to me. I still have it, thirty years later, and use it all the time.

Still, I prefer the Estwing brand. And I would like to test one of those $215 titanium things.

-Bob
 
I've handled them at the store and I just don't understand it. Maybe if I got to drive some nails with one, but for now they just don't make sense. I like a heavier hammer where the weight does the work most of the time. Then if I'm really wanting to smack something I can try to swing it faster, and you have weight and speed. Titanium seems like its just going off how fast you can swing it :confused:
 
If you are a rough carpenter by trade like I am, you already know that estwing's will hurt your elbow after much use due to vibrating, and that heavy steel or titanium heads with hickory handles are the only way to go.

If you are looking for a hammer that will last just about forever and be used only seldom, and even then for nothing too hard, than by all means get an estwing. But to anyone who is just starting out as a constuction worker, your economical option is a stanley fatmax 22 ounce, and your better but more expensive options are deathstick brand hammers, either the $40 24 ounce steel version, or the $100 15 ounce titanium version that hits like steel without the effort. Although I have never bought one, Sears also makes some decent hammers, and if you were ever to wear out a milled face Sears hammer, or just want a new one, you could break the handle and make full use of there lifetime warranty.

For a homeowners hammer, a 16 ounce estwing would do fine. Although, you can get away with using a bigger hammer for a lot of small detail work, and the option is there to use it for bigger projects, so if you ever have any plans for any type of hard use, I would reccomend you get one of the above mentioned rip claw framing hammers, and never one with a metal handle.
 
Matt, I own a titanium deathstick. I don't understand why, but titanium hammers work well without having to swing any faster than with steel, at least for me. They are kind of expensive, so they are really only for people who love expensive tools they don't need, and carpenters.
 
GarageBoy said:
Sorry, but I was referring to the hundred dollar hammers. Thanks!
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I know a certain living legend knifemaker who I might could prompt his wife into putting his initials on a 10.00 hammer. I'll sell it to you for 250.00 but all kidding aside, you've got me on that. I don't know if there is anything nicer.
 
I always found the Estwing Hammers to be very user friendly, they just seemed to sit right in your hand, each to his own I suppose.
I used to work at a builders merchants and the Estwings were the ones that always left the shop via armpit express 'till we put 'em on a display board behind the counter.
 
M1911A1JohnBrowning said:
Matt, I own a titanium deathstick. I don't understand why, but titanium hammers work well without having to swing any faster than with steel, at least for me. They are kind of expensive, so they are really only for people who love expensive tools they don't need, and carpenters.
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Must have something to do with rebound, titanium must absorb less energy than steel. I guess it works in golf clubs, why not hammers :confused:

Those deathsticks look pretty sweet :cool: I've always been kind of fond of my old 28 oz vaughn (hickory handle), but I've never got to play with anything higher end. Haven't used the estwing for a long enough stretch to have any trouble with vibrations causing pain.
 
Thanks guys for all the great replys, I think im gona get the estwing but i also saw the stiletto Ti-bone wich is sooo sweet, but also crazy expensive.
 
Ti ? I've never used one but it's the momentum that drives the nail.If you have a hammer that's half the weight ,that's half the momentum and twice the number of blows to drive the nail. Did you ever do heavy hammering ?Do you know the phrase 'use a bigger hammer' ? When you but up a post and beam house or barn they use a 'commander' or 'persuader' which you make with a large chunk of hardwood. Trying to move a beam with a framers hammer is a joke.
 
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