Claw Hammer thread.

[matt stott]

Great idea for a thread- just sorry I am not home to take photos!

Although I don't use claw hammers too often any more, I have that same red handled hammer as Coach James- bought it around 1984 or so and it is still going strong. I also have an older Maydole claw hammer that is a bit heavier and gets used far more often these days.

I also just saw a photo of the new Brent Bailey framer- it almost looks too pretty to use:



Matt

 

[Ton ton]

That's an unusual hammer, Matt.

 

[wood02]

Estwing finishing hammer. That is what my wife's grandfather called "it". He gave it to me when I was helping him remodel some of his rent property in the early seventies. I was laid off at the time. The hammer has about a 3/4" bow from the head end to the handle end. He said a truck ran over "it". I got to be pretty good at hitting nails with "it". I felt as though I could nail around corners...it was that crooked. I use it and think of him even now.

 

[DFB]

Estwing finishing hammer. That is what my wife's grandfather called "it". He gave it to me when I was helping him remodel some of his rent property in the early seventies. I was laid off at the time. The hammer has about a 3/4" bow from the head end to the handle end. He said a truck ran over "it". I got to be pretty good at hitting nails with "it". I felt as though I could nail around corners...it was that crooked. I use it and think of him even now.

Curious does your Grandfathers hammer look anything like this one and also the one McFarmer posted a photo of in response #12?


Seems some these older Estwings do have a distinct "curve" to them...

I'm was curious about mine when I first got it, trying to figure how it could have possible been bent

Or maybe they all just got run over by a truck

 

[matt_i]

I really like the Douglas 20oz smooth face framer. My favorite by far.

Pictured with a 16oz Estwing I used for roofing to avoid wearing out the face on the Douglas, and then a Hart Woody. For some reason I don't like the waffled face and the dings it leaves in the wood.

I think the design of the Douglas has changed slightly. Seems like the version I have was farmed out to contract manufacturing and eventually Douglas in-housed their manufacturing, or at least that's the thought that sticks in my head

 

[Ton ton]

Bump for the love of claw hammers.

 

[lardy1]

Spend your tool allowance wisely.

 

[lardy1]

Double post. Sorry.

 

[Ton ton]

Lardy1, care to explain a bit more about the new hammer?

 

[JradM]

I bought one of these just the other day:


While my initial impressions are good, I haven't used it long enough to pass judgement.

Stanley Faxmax 22oz anti vibe with milled face. I bought it in part because of my affinity for Proto. I figure Stanley Black and Decker is Proto's parent company and they use "antivibe" in Proto (and Mac) hammers, presumably this is the same tech. I don't think there is a Proto claw hammer, so this must be the next best thing.

I also have a distinct preference for milled face hammers for framing tasks.

My go-to for a long time has been the 20oz smooth face Estwing already posted in this thread. That jammer is an excellent jack of all trades.

 

[tyyost]

I was always an Estwing guy, 20, 22 oz flat faced, 28 oz milled, and 16 oz craftsman wood handled for trim.

Tore my rotator cuff, and prior to surgery bought a DeWalt mig welded 14 oz and love it. I feel like it hits like my 20 oz but is light and I didn’t get arm fatigue like I was getting with the others.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

My favorite claw hammer is anything with a wood handle that does the job. A claw hammer is not in my toolbox as it’s not a mechanics tool so it goes in the really small home repair box I have lol or hangs on the wall or on the bench somewhere. I have a few different sized ones all wood handles except one. If I had a choice for only one probably our really old Rocket hammer that was my dads moms hammer.

 

[lardy1]

Lardy1, care to explain a bit more about the new hammer?

It was KC Tools Tool Of The Day a couple days ago. A sweet deal at right around a buck and a quarter. I'm sure the details are on their site.

 

[LOW1]

I find steel handles to be physically painful.

i have two older fat max composite Stanley’s that I like and some newish wooden vaughans from Menards that are comfortable.

 

[Ton ton]

It was KC Tools Tool Of The Day a couple days ago. A sweet deal at right around a buck and a quarter. I'm sure the details are on their site.

Thank you, lardy1.