How are the hammers at Sears?

[TorKe]

I saw some Eastwing (blue looking) and Craftsman, both with big clear indicators that they were made in the USA.

 

[gdocktor3]

I have 3 or 4 of the black Craftsman ball pein hammers with hickory handles and they're great. Estwing speaks for itself.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I have a few C-Man hickory handle hammers and a few Estwings and I generally always go for the hickory handle ones because that is the feel I prefer. Both of them are quite excellent. If you are wary of Sears/Craftsman the Vaughan hickory handle hammers are also very good and made in the USA. Wont break the bank either.

 

[kd3pc]

both have been around for a long time, I go with Estwing on anything to do with bricks, blocks, rocks and such.

Just plain ole' beating, the craftsman, as it is usually a few dollars cheaper.

I have an estwing "rock collector hammer" I got for my 12th birthday, back in the 60's that is still going strong. They were the cat's meow back then.

 

[wrenchr]

They hit stuff............................

 

[Finky198]

^^^ Estwing is still the cats meow for most guys ^^^

Including my self they make great hammer as are the Vaughn/Craftsman

I like to refinishing the handles as I never liked the factory finish...
But all in all very well made for the price point and USA to boot.

 

[KamiCrit]

I quite like the Estwing design. I'm yet to see one with a loose handle.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The Craftsman black hammers work just fine. They are Estwing produced I believe so same hammer different handle shape and colors may vary.


With that said, the Snap On ones aren't that expensive either.

With that said, flea market hammers work the exact same but might need a new handle after a while.

Choose your poison.

 

[outdoorspace]

Vaughan currently supplies all of the Craftsman hammers with the exception of the dead blow hammers, made by Nupla, and the imported flex claw hammer. The hickory handle ball-peen hammers are a great deal.

 

[PelicanPines]

Get hammered @ sears....

 

[woody 73]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=360096

 

[d.mcfarland]

Vaughan currently supplies all of the Craftsman hammers with the exception of the dead blow hammers, made by Nupla, and the imported flex claw hammer. The hickory handle ball-peen hammers are a great deal.

Ah yes that's right. I said Estwing, but then I realized that can't be correct.

 

[Aura]

All I ever swung was Estwing.

 

[davethorik]

Good enough for trolls to use.

 

[T45]

Cman is Vaugn, so is Blue Point...

There is little point in buying something else in terms of brand. The only reason to buy something else is if you need a design choice like dead-blow ball pein or something not offered by Vaugn/Bluepoint.

Little benefit to going with Estwing for ball-peens, IMHO. Metal on metal striking with a metal handle to me is too much. Framing hammers is sort of a different story, your hitting into wood so some shock is absorbed that way.

 

[derosa]

The Craftsman black hammers work just fine. They are Estwing produced I believe so same hammer different handle shape and colors may vary.


With that said, the Snap On ones aren't that expensive either.

With that said, flea market hammers work the exact same but might need a new handle after a while.

Choose your poison.

Flea market may only be good if they started good, rounded hammer faces are great for skipping off the heads on nails and smacking fingers, cheap handles sliding as you hammer and the prying end snapping on one side or the other are all issues I've seen working with people who have cheap or flea market specials. Only time I even tap a finger is using someone's cheap hammer, I've put up plenty of siding and shingles without an ouch with my estwings.