Estwing disappointment
- Thread starter vhol5
- Start date
Seppala
Well-known member
I've never worked as a framer, but I've swung a hammer all day as a blacksmith. I wouldn't go near a steel hafted hammer. The effect it would have on my arm through shock would be too much for my arm. I got blacksmiths' elbow once just from swinging a too heavy hammer (3 lbs.). Btw blacksmiths' elbow is more commonly know as "tennis elbow". I've since moved on to a 2 lb. hammer and have had no problems.
Last edited:
Me too, 28 Estwing FTW. If you cant handle a 28 oz, don't work as a framer.
^^^THIS^^^
Yes, the steel hafted ones kill me too. And I know the feeling about lighter bashing hammers too. Next to my cheap, wood hafted claw and framing hammers, my second most used hammer is my cheap HF 2 pound drilling hammer. Takes about a solid hour of swinging it before I start to get really tired as opposed to just a few minutes with a 3-4 pound Engineer's or Cross Pein.
tgb
Well-known member
I definitely agree on the steel handle hammers and elbows hurting. I have and still use Estwing 20 and 22 hammers, but if I am going to be driving a lot of nails by hand my go to is my Vaughn 20 oz. fiberglass handle. I have been using them for like 20 years and for myself anyway it is just the most comfortable and well balanced hammer.
lbgradwell
Well-known member
Age is a BIG factor.
When I was in my 20s, I could work with an Estwing without issue. Now that I'm close to 50, my arm and wrist simply can't take the impact anymore. And this is new over the past 2 years or so...
When I was in my 20s, I could work with an Estwing without issue. Now that I'm close to 50, my arm and wrist simply can't take the impact anymore. And this is new over the past 2 years or so...
woody 73
Well-known member
dutchgray
Well-known member
I'm still in my 20's (just) and the impact from the Estwing is too much for me now, hence why I have wood handled Vaughan hammers now, Still have the Estwings and my 20oz is still my go to hammer for some work, but nailing all day long is wood handles only now.
2mJps
Well-known member
I framed for a while and started out with a Estwing. A guy i worked with used a Vaughan californa framer. I Started useing one and liked it alot. The only problem with one was it wasnt much good for any thing else.
gahrajmahal
Well-known member
I have a 22oz eastwing with blue rubber handle that is so old the rubber is hard and dry. I needed another hammer while on a job and didn't want to go home to get the eastwing so I bought a Stanley anti vibe. I like it because the handle flares out at the bottom making it easier to hang onto. Do any of the eastwings have a flare at the handle bottom?
duke5572
Well-known member
ALL of the Estwing steel hammers have a flare at the handle bottom. It isn't extremely pronounced, but that's a desirable feature when you're instinctively dropping it into a tool belt hammer loop all day long.
As someone who does a whole lot of framing and siding (much more hand-driving with siding), you guys recommending a 28 oz. Estwing are nuts. A 22 oz. will accomplish nearly any task in those two trades. If I'm in a position to need a 28 oz. hammer (which would mostly be for NON-nail-driving tasks), a 10 lb. sledge will do the job.