Estwing, are they moving production?

[Renegade1LI]

I was just at home depot and noticed all the estwing hammers marked down. I hope there not moving production out of usa, I'd really hate to see an estwing made in China. Or maybe hd is just phasing them out, I bought a bunch just in case, plus the price is great. Hopefully it's just a hd thing.

 

[LB-1911]

They won't leave Rockford .

Company - Estwing

Company About us Since 1923, the Estwing family and its employees have taken pride in designing and manufacturing the world’s most durable, comfortable and attractive striking and struck tools. All claw hammers, axes, specialty tools and pry bars are manufactured to the highest possible...

www.estwing.com

You could ask them;

Contact Us - Estwing

Estwing Manufacturing Co.2647 8th StreetRockford, IL 61109 General Sales and Information Phone: 815-397-9558Email: [email protected] USA Custom Forging available for quoteEmail: [email protected] Find your Sales Representative To find your Estwing sales representative, please select from the...

www.estwing.com

 

[Jbullfrog]

It looks like they were higher then most retailers and discounted down to what everyone else sells them for.

 

[FloorPaint]

Let’s not start any unnecessary speculation or rumors here at GJ. I think it’s a huge leap to say that markdowns in a single HD, or even a particular HD service area, indicate that the manufacturer may be making a significant strategic change that would include abandoning U.S. production. It’s more likely that HD has some excess inventory that they’re clearing out. They could also be making room for updated models. Or perhaps HD is more interested in selling hammers of foreign origin to make a quick buck rather than offering higher-priced, American-made alternatives. There are probably thousands of possible explanations, but let’s not start a potentially damaging rumor and a potentially self-fulfilling prophecy. Vote with your dollars and buy American!

 

[qqzj]

No. HD is phasing out Vaughn and Estwing. Vaughn is actually the first to go and Estwing is the next. The dynamic duo of Milwaukee and DeWalt are eating their lunch. And I think DeWalt is making Husky branded hammers for HD. If you ever take a look at their garden tools aisle, you will be amazed. All those brands like Razorback etc are gone. Now it's just DeWalt plus Husky. HD's strategy is like written on the wall. I was thinking that Vanghn and Estwing's days are numbered before this post today.

 

[scooby074]

Sure looks like HD is dropping Estwing, at least in your location. No sales on Estwing at HD Canada that I see.

I guess the relentless shift to "everything Milwaukee" is continuing.

 

[d.mcfarland]

They also could be getting rid of slow moving products.

Looks like a ton of Crescent branded stuff. Maybe they are hoping the name brand is more enticing.

Gotta remember that most people buy on price and not on quality.

 

[KnurledNut]

Estwing already offshores some products bearing their name. The Sure Strike hammer line, some bars/pullers, dead blow, and licensed partner products like screwdrivers, work gear, some knives, power tools, and Groz-manufactured sledge hammers and other striking tools.

Their main hardline is USA, and I see no indication of that changing.

My personal opinion of their hammers is, while strong and handle abuse well, they are likewise very hard on your body.
Its disappointing after all these years of design and manufacturing they havent improved shock absorption.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Estwing already offshores some products bearing their name. The Sure Strike hammer line, some bars/pullers, dead blow, and licensed partner products like screwdrivers, work gear, some knives, power tools, and Groz-manufactured sledge hammers and other striking tools.

Their main hardline is USA, and I see no indication of that changing.

My personal opinion of their hammers is, while strong and handle abuse well, they are likewise very hard on your body.
Its disappointing after all these years of design and manufacturing they havent improved shock absorption.

As a gc in the heavy construction industry I will say 95% of the hammers you see are estwing. It's the industry standard, they just don't break or wear out. Hopefully it's just a price adjustment.

 

[littleboss]

I still use my dad's leather handled ball peen everyday. Not sure how old it is but at least 50 years. Wish they still made them

 

[nh_yota]

I'm sick of seeing the DeWalt and Milwaukee names being applied to everything under the sun. They are power tool brands not hand tool and consumable brands.

 

[Garcky]

The only Estwing I have is a 22 oz. rock hammer, the one with the long pointy end and square face. I think that hammer saved my life once. I was looking for mineral specimens on an outcropping at a remote beach. Deserted, except for me and the three sketchy guys who were slowly approaching my location. They were stopping to talk and then moving closer. Worried me, it did.

So, I took the Estwing out of the hammer loop of my carpenter jeans and whacked that outcropping a couple of times. The three guys went the other direction. Now, they might have been some nice guys who just wanted to chat with me. I don't know.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Love the leather handles, going to get a few more, give out to the guys. I wish they had more of the ball piens, have to hit a few hds.

 

[m6z]

No deals at my HD, not online anyways.

 

[dchawk81]

Let’s not start any unnecessary speculation or rumors here at GJ. I think it’s a huge leap to say that markdowns in a single HD, or even a particular HD service area, indicate that the manufacturer may be making a significant strategic change that would include abandoning U.S. production. It’s more likely that HD has some excess inventory that they’re clearing out. They could also be making room for updated models from Vaughn. Or perhaps HD is more interested in selling hammers of foreign origin to make a quick buck rather than offering higher-priced, American-made alternatives. There are probably thousands of possible explanations, but let’s not start a potentially damaging rumor and a potentially self-fulfilling prophecy. Vote with your dollars and buy American!

So you're censoring us?

 

[dchawk81]

Wonder when the signs will finally be changed to Husky Depot, Your Nationwide Milwaukee Dealer™

 

[redwrench60]

I would figure deals leading up to Christmas on tools from participating manufacturers tends to be pretty normal. I bet on sale Estwing hammers end up in a lot of stockings this year.

Nobody thinks Stanley is going out of business when they release the Holliday 2 pack tape measures.

 

[FloorPaint]

So you're censoring us?

I’m not a moderator, so nope. I’m just expressing an opinion that clickbait titles and wild speculation are unbecoming of GJ members and add nothing to the typically constructive conversation here. You’re not trying to censor me now, are you?

 

[Griff79]

Estwing is from Rockford I’ll, where I grew up. I am always so proud that the industry standard for hammers came from my home town. I have a 24oz waffle face framing hammer, a 16 oz, general use smooth face and a smaller finish hammer. They are all 50 years old and work perfectly. One year, about 20 years ago I took my hand grinder and sharpened the waffle faced hammer a little as it had been used for 30 years.

I also have a Vaughn 24 oz smooth faced framing hammer that has the original handle that is just as old. The only thing I have done to it is rasp some indentations on the handle for a better grip. Is everyone beat the living day lights out of this hammer and it is still fully functional.

Both are great brands.
Griff

 

[neophyte]

It may vary with Home Depot location.
Home Depot used to be the home center that carried Estwing.
Lowes either carried imports, Kobalt, Plumb, and then later, Vaughan.
Then Lowes had a large sign out front advertising they were now carrying Estwing.
So Lowes had a small variety of both Estwing, and Vaughan, and other brands.
Home Depot has less Estwing now, and I think they must have stopped carrying the Estwing Sure Strike line of imported hammers.

I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Home Depot is just looking for better wholesale costs simply to offset theft, since hammers are fairly easy to steal, either by concealing the hammer, or just walking out with it.
What employee wants to stop a shoplifter carrying a hammer or hatchet?

The other thing is that Home Depot has a habit of switching around suppliers and brands every several years or do, especially with hand tools.

 

[Bubba Fett]

It's time to start panic-buying and then turn around and try to scalp them on e-bay, since that seems to be the norm. Get to it!!

 

[Robinson1]

Last time I was in Home Depot. Which isn't often because the nearest store is 90 miles from me. Anyway. I made a point to check out the hammer display because I've been wanting to handle a particular model Estwing that Lowes doesn't carry. Apparently HD doesn't either and was very far from impressed with the hammers offered. They had the same two estwing models that everyone stocks a 22oz framer and a 20 oz smooth face. The rest was all import junk. Dominated by Dewalt and Milwaukee with a few Crescent thrown in. I wasn't even aware Crescent made hammers until that moment. The Milwaukee hammers looked like the junk Harbor Freight sells. The Dewalt were just as bad. I think both manufacturers should be ashamed to put their names on such junk. Dewalt and Milwaukee need to stick to power tools. Its literally no wonder New guys entering the trade cant swing a hammer when everything offered for sale is some hybrid whizz bang design to address an issue that doesn't exist. There's a reason all the experienced carpenters use estwing or vaughan. Rant off

 

[neophyte]

Last time I was in Home Depot. Which isn't often because the nearest store is 90 miles from me. Anyway. I made a point to check out the hammer display because I've been wanting to handle a particular model Estwing that Lowes doesn't carry. Apparently HD doesn't either and was very far from impressed with the hammers offered. They had the same two estwing models that everyone stocks a 22oz framer and a 20 oz smooth face. The rest was all import junk. Dominated by Dewalt and Milwaukee with a few Crescent thrown in. I wasn't even aware Crescent made hammers until that moment. The Milwaukee hammers looked like the junk Harbor Freight sells. The Dewalt were just as bad. I think both manufacturers should be ashamed to put their names on such junk. Dewalt and Milwaukee need to stick to power tools. Its literally no wonder New guys entering the trade cant swing a hammer when everything offered for sale is some hybrid whizz bang design to address an issue that doesn't exist. There's a reason all the experienced carpenters use estwing or vaughan. Rant off

Crescent is owned by Apex, or Cooper Tools, or whatever it’s called now.
It’s the same group that owns Plumb, so they’re probably just taking the now import Plumb hammer designs, and putting the Crescent brand on them, since “Crescent” is more widely known.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Apex is just as bad for diluting their brands as SBD, maybe worse. They seem to think "Crescent" is name worthy enough for every kind of tool they offer, while the brands that made quality tools (like Plumb, Xcelite) are left to rot.

 

[woody 73]

I do not think Estwing is going to anywhere, at least I hope not. Seems like every 10th garage sale I pick up a nice used Estwing hammer, I think I have enough now for a full work crew.

 

[Renegade1LI]

At the very least I bought a dozen hammers that I plan to give out to the guys. I did buy a nice leather handle hatchet for myself, last one, couldn't go wrong for 25$. Hopefully it's just hd bs, I haven't found anything saying they're stopping us production, I may email estwing and see what they say.

 

[dchawk81]

I’m not a moderator, so nope. I’m just expressing an opinion that clickbait titles and wild speculation are unbecoming of GJ members and add nothing to the typically constructive conversation here. You’re not trying to censor me now, are you?

Asking if you're censoring is not censoring.

 

[dchawk81]

As a gc in the heavy construction industry I will say 95% of the hammers you see are estwing. It's the industry standard, they just don't break or wear out. Hopefully it's just a price adjustment.

Sad part is it wouldn't exactly be shocking if they're clearing out the USA so they don't have imports next to them with the same model number and perhaps even price. Or clearing them out to use the pegs for other brands.

Attempted censorship aside, I don't think it's that crazy of a discussion.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Slight drift. My nephew lives in SC, his neighbor was in sales & marketing for Esab welders … or whatever the correct name is. Anyway, one day about 15-ish yrs ago the neighbor is telling nephew that they were facing a lot of layoffs at the plant, sales were way down. Apparently they had signed a contract with HD i think to produce private brand welders, and there were a lot of conditions attached, like selling to competition, certain spec modifications, etc. And then the customer started making demands that were in the contract, leveraging down the price, messing with factory output, and it dang near killed the factory.

 

[LB-1911]

Hopefully it's just hd bs, I haven't found anything saying they're stopping us production, I may email estwing and see what they say.

Cut from a previous Estwing thread

Estwing has reassured me through an email that they plan on keeping their 'premium' line of hammers made in the U.S.A.

I'm confident that the reply to your inquiry will be similar.

 

[dchawk81]

Cut from a previous Estwing thread

I'm confident that the reply to your inquiry will be similar.

"plan on"

Doesn't guarantee anything.

 

[KnurledNut]

I stopped at Lowes today and they had all the USA hammers yellow tagged too.
They did have a fiberglass Taiwan framing hammer, which I hadnt seen before, and it was normal price. Same for the imported sledge hammers.
This one:
https://www.estwing.com/products/estwing-21-oz-milled-face-framing-hammer-with-nail-starter

 

[reader2580]

I do not think Estwing is going to anywhere, at least I hope not. Seems like every 10th garage sale I pick up a nice used Estwing hammer, I think I have enough now for a full work crew.

You’re certainly not helping Estwing stay in business by only buying used items.

 

[zendriver]

Maybe they have the same problem as other companies, that build products that last forever - you don't sell enough.

My 46 year old claw hammer still has the nylon grip in perfect shape.

 

[Ton ton]

I like the Estwing sure strike fiberglass handle better than the the steel shank estwing hammers. Just my 2 cents.

 

[nadogail]

My helper and I were in my local Home Depot November 26, and he grabbed a new hammer because his had "mysteriously vanished" and of course none of his children knew anything about it. He grabbed a HUSKY that I first thought was an new model Estwing.

 

[fourjeepin]

I was thinking of picking up one of their hatchets. A sale or clearance price would def push me over the edge.

 

[Oldsmobile]

I was thinking of picking up one of their hatchets. A sale or clearance price would def push me over the edge.

I can't swear to it, but I think the hatchet was $42.** and marked down to $36.** at my local HD. I saw this thread and stopped on my errands tonight, and it certainly looks like HD is bringing in Crescent and selling off the Estwing.

Interestingly, the Estwing mini sledges were not on sale at all. Just claw & framing hammers, and the hatchet. I didn't see anything that I felt I had to have.

 

[Farmall450]

No. HD is phasing out Vaughn and Estwing. Vaughn is actually the first to go and Estwing is the next. The dynamic duo of Milwaukee and DeWalt are eating their lunch. And I think DeWalt is making Husky branded hammers for HD. If you ever take a look at their garden tools aisle, you will be amazed. All those brands like Razorback etc are gone. Now it's just DeWalt plus Husky. HD's strategy is like written on the wall. I was thinking that Vanghn and Estwing's days are numbered before this post today.

In 10 more years DeWalt and Milwaukee will have enough products to have their own stores

I like my old Razorback...forgot about them.

 

[superspec]

I have a few hammers and an ax from when I was a teenager. I always thought a hammer was a hammer but theirs always feel better