Estwing Hammer

[demographic]

I have a leather handled 20 ounce Estwing and a straight clawed 24 ounce framing hammer.

Currently I'm doing timber framing so I'm using the 24 ounce framing hammer (along with a gas Paslode) but if I'm working in the workshop or finishing I use the 20 ounce leather handled one.

Problem with the blue handled ones is that they grow legs more than the leather ones and anyway.
If you work on the big sites you know that at the end of the day the aprentices often clear up some of the tools for the old hands, as there are blue handled Estwings all over site its easy for them to accidentally pick the wrong one up, that seems to happen less to the leather ones as there's less of them about.
Also I just prefer the leather one.
Me and it get on along just fine and I get quite grumpy if I have to use someone else's hammer, its just not right.
Mind, as soon as I got it I sanded the quite frankly manky looking varnish off it and treated it to a bit of Danish oil instead, far and away better.

If the leather washers get to the point where they rattle, its not rocket science to peen them over a little to tighten it up again.

 

[scooby074]

Scooby,
Estwing still makes leather handled camp axes, which are small like a hatchet. Sears has 'em on their website.
Next time I go to Sears, I will have to feel their hammers.

Thanks. I just checked their site and this is the same one i used to have http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=1600

They call it the sportmans axe. Now to find a retailer as CDN tire has dropped the eastwing axes.

EDIT: Homehardware appears to have it. $52.99. Better start saving my pennies

I should have added that the sportmans was more for nostalgia and i currently have a eastwing long handled camp axe that gets regular use. Its pretty decent steel so it holds an edge and the steel handle helps when you miss hit (not that i ever do) Great for splitting up kindling when camping.
http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=1200

 

[pdham]

I've had 2 of the 20 oz framers, they were great. the leather would mold to your hand after it was broke in. Unfortunately they both walked off. I now use the blue handle framer its good but doesn't mold like the leather one

 

[chevydriver37]

ANYTIME!
PS-I think Estwing will repair that hammer for you, if you want to send it to them. Think I've heard that before somewhere.

Called Estwing up today and the nice lady said they'd repair. She transferred me to someone else but I only could hold for so long and had to hang up as I was at work

Will try again tomorrow. Heck for 32 bucks I might just buy a new one. I want one of them English Style ones - think it's just cool to have...

 

[electrodude]

I like the Estwing hammers and have several....but I will take the functional shock absorption of the standard blue elastomer handle version over the leather one, any day of the week.

Years ago I did work for an old guy who actually paid me partially in estwing hammers, God's honest truth. I still have a couple of them in storage, I think I got seven or eight hammers from him off different jobs (He worked as the General Contractor on some big dam and powerhouse projects, he had all kinds of tools!). I didn't mind getting the hammers because I didn't have squat at the time.

 

[dirtrider]

What the hell are those things used for???
What's that v-claw thing where a ballpeen should be?

Looks like something you would use if you had a block of wood.....................and didn't have a car or motorcycle to work on.

I had a piece of wood once. Didn't like it, too soft and brown. Wouldn't throw sparks either......I threw it out.



Rob

LMFAO I feel exactly the same way, no blocks of wood for me but I try not to put people down if they can't handle working on real machinery LOL!

 

[TMCCuda]

That hammer really reminds me of my grandfather. Thumbs up for Estwing.

 

[Solo]

Called Estwing up today and the nice lady said they'd repair. She transferred me to someone else but I only could hold for so long and had to hang up as I was at work

Will try again tomorrow. Heck for 32 bucks I might just buy a new one. I want one of them English Style ones - think it's just cool to have...

I have a sportsmans axe that the leather washers have rotted off. I've it for more than 20 years. I looked at Estwings website and could not find a phone number. Could you post the number you called or send me a private message?

Thanks
Solo

 

[Solo]

I have a sportsmans axe that the leather washers have rotted off. I've it for more than 20 years. I looked at Estwings website and could not find a phone number. Could you post the number you called or send me a private message?

Thanks
Solo

Well I found the answer to my own question. I called Estwing and the lady I spoke with said they cannot repair the leather handles because of liability issues. Guess I'll have to buy anther one.

Solo

 

[demographic]

Its worth noting that Estwing aren't the only show in town when it comes to hammers though.

Picard of Germany make loads of different types of hammers, including leather washer handled ones with a nut on the end so you can just tighten it up if needed.

 

[MacTexas]

I thought I was the only one that had a love affair with a hammer. This is my grandfathers hammer. He died in 1949 so no telling how old it is. No fancy chrome plating just painted black. This is a great hammer, I use it all the time.

 

[demographic]

I thought I was the only one that had a love affair with a hammer. This is my grandfathers hammer. He died in 1949 so no telling how old it is. No fancy chrome plating just painted black. This is a great hammer, I use it all the time.

Looks like a 20 ounce Estwing to me, although its a lot older than mine.
There's two peened over sections of the steel shaft sticking through the end plate on mine and there's still a bit of writing on that oval plate but it wears off in time as the end of the grip touches the floor when you kneel down fitting skirting boards and the like.

If the hammer needs new washers it wouldn't be that hard to grind the peened over parts off, remove the plate (maybe replace the plate if its too worn) then put new leather washers in there (Some knifemakers sell them) and weld on some threaded rod, that way you can use a couple of nuts and can tighten them up as needed.
That or plain bar and peen them over like before.

 

[MacTexas]

Looks like a 20 ounce Estwing to me, although its a lot older than mine.
There's two peened over sections of the steel shaft sticking through the end plate on mine and there's still a bit of writing on that oval plate but it wears off in time as the end of the grip touches the floor when you kneel down fitting skirting boards and the like.

If the hammer needs new washers it wouldn't be that hard to grind the peened over parts off, remove the plate (maybe replace the plate if its too worn) then put new leather washers in there (Some knifemakers sell them) and weld on some threaded rod, that way you can use a couple of nuts and can tighten them up as needed.
That or plain bar and peen them over like before.

It's a 16 oz. The writing on the oval plate is ESTWING with something I cannot make out ****ford NJ Made in USA 16-OZ HEAD.

 

[Mcstiff]

I have some old stuff but it is in a different state. Just bought the composite handled 16 oz Husky for the house.

 

[cashishift]

All my friends couldn't believe I spent like 30 bucks on a hammer..

then they used it

I love my Estwing, and will probably buy a ball peen one someday.

 

[moparmuscle88]

not to disagree with everyone, but i dont like the estwing leather handles at all, they are too slippery for me, ive had them go flying more than once.

the long handle framers seem too flimsy of a shaft for me ive seen bent ones before...

i think its just cuz im old school with hammers, but i like thered fiberglass octagon head straight claw hammers by plumb (before cooper tools bought them) and the klein octagon head stanley made hammers with the blue fiberglass handle

there just seems to be no comparison of any other 20 or 22 oz hammer

 

[demographic]

not to disagree with everyone, but i dont like the estwing leather handles at all, they are too slippery for me, ive had them go flying more than once.

the long handle framers seem too flimsy of a shaft for me ive seen bent ones before...

i think its just cuz im old school with hammers, but i like thered fiberglass octagon head straight claw hammers by plumb (before cooper tools bought them) and the klein octagon head stanley made hammers with the blue fiberglass handle

there just seems to be no comparison of any other 20 or 22 oz hammer

Were they bent sideways from some complete spanner using it wrong or bent from pulling a nail properly?
Weird about the losing grip on them as I've used mine doing concrete shuttering (think you guys call it formwork) in the lashing sleet without chucking it into the countryside but its all down to personal preference.

 

[J Persons]

Need a hammer?

I just got a bossing mallet from these guys. They have just about all type of hammers.
www.hammersource.com

 

[koditten]

I too love my Estwing hammers. Most of my friends as well use these "swatters". The only thing that is different is that we call them Estring hammers. For some reason ,almost all the estwing hammers that we have used, they all will ring when you hit 16 penny nail. Has anyone else noticed this characteristic?

I was sorry to hear that I can't get my leathers replaced on my estwing rock pick hammer. I guess I will have to try the home repair methodes listed above.

 

[Furious D]

I have a thing for Eastwings as well. I probably own about 15 but can only find a couple at any given time.


I bought one of the leather handled ones to put in my sons toolbox I am putting together . I want to give it to him for an 18th birthday present ( In 12 years ). It nearly full of American made tools, Something that may not be made in the very near future.


.

 

[Jayincali]

Heres a pic of my Grandfathers 50 year old hammer. Still going strong, although I don't use it anymore, just hanging up in the garage as a reminder.

<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/?action=view&current=Hammer1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/Hammer1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

16 oz

<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/?action=view&current=Hammer2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/Hammer2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[onefinecar]

Have owned the leather handle model since the early 80's and the blue handle for at least 10 years. Good American quality that lasts.

 

[luckylogger]

I don't give a hoot what color the handle is, if it's leather, rubber , bare steel or wood. If I pick up a claw hammer in my right hand I guarantee I will beat the living day lights out of my left hand. Never fails. Maybe it's the nails fault. You think ?

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

GGreat hammers. I have a blue handle I use in the shop. And an older eastwing hatchet with the stacked leather grip. Thought so much of them I got one of their axes to take camping

 

[Motorhead Extraordinaire]

I have been using Estwing hammers all my life. My Dad also used them. Why do I use them .... They are simply the best hammer made and yes they are made in America.

Buy an Estwing and you'll throw out every other hammer you have.

IMHO

Joe

 

[JML2]

It's gorgeous, and I've had a 16 oz leather handle Estwing for a long time, but it transmits plenty of shock, and after a little while of hitting nails, your arm will know it for sure. The Estwing sits in a backup toolbag, but my wood-handled hammers get used when I need to drive nails.

 

[jvitez]

Ditto on the wood handles. I really notice the difference between steel shaft and wood, especially when sinking a bunch of 3 1/2" nails. I definitely feel a sting with the steel shafted ones, but I guess my soft little girly hands aren't used to a manly framers hammer. But seriously, I've got a few thumb/shoulder/neck issues that let me know they're there from time to time. Wooden handled hammers absorb the most shock for my slowly deteriorating body.

But if I was a framer or concrete guy, no question it would be blue handled Estwings for me.

I still really want the 12 oz leather handled Estwing for my basement shop though.....

 

[JML2]

Leather-stacked handles are certainly classics. For certain tools, they just look right. for example, these Randalls:

 

[MartyO]

I really notice the difference between steel shaft and wood, especially when sinking a bunch

That's what she said!!!

 

[Jim Johnstone]

I have a soft spot for Estwing hammers too. My grandfather was a builder, and I can remember being a kid, hanging out in the backyard with grandpa while he built a fence, or a shed, or a picnic table, and always had his green rubber handled Estwing hammer at his side.

Flash forward to today, and I just purchased my Great Uncle's house, who was the original owner since the house was built in the 50's. It has a garage that was built in the 70's by my great uncle, dad, and grandpa, where I keep all my own tools.

Guess where my grandpa's old green handled Estwing lives now.

 

[demographic]

Heres a pic of my Grandfathers 50 year old hammer. Still going strong, although I don't use it anymore, just hanging up in the garage as a reminder.

<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/?action=view&current=Hammer1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/Hammer1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

16 oz

<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/?action=view&current=Hammer2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/Hammer2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I recently bought an old 20 ounce Estwing from my local secondhand tool seller, he does a lot of house clearances so its quite possible its from someone who has died and could well be quite old.
I noticed that the head on your 16 ounce Estwing is of the same type and that they have changed design now.
The claws on the old hammers curve in a tighter radius on the old ones and the shaft is different also.

Here's a picture showing the old type on the left and the newer type on the right, both are due some fresh leather washers to replace the crappy plastic ones that degrade over time.