Vintage Williams Ball Peen Hammers

[p51p28]

Hi there everyone. I'm currently on the hunt for a couple of vintage ball peen hammers. I need an 8oz and 12oz. Once of the hammers I'm looking at is a Williams No. 3-0. I've noticed that some of the Williams have the prefix "HBP" on them. Are these an earlier vintage that the "No." prefix? Its not big deal really, just curious.

On another note, vintage hammers are much more interesting to me than the new ones. Higher quality steel? Who's hands have they been in etc. What are your favorite vintage hammer brands and why? Proto? Plumb? Williams? Vaughan? Collins Legitimate?

What say you?

 

[slowtwitch73]

I like the heads fine, but what I really like are the original handles esp ball peens.

I shop by handle.. if I find a 'survivor' I grab it. I have a little Plomb that is a joy to use.. perfect handle geometry.

 

[p51p28]

I like the heads fine, but what I really like are the original handles esp ball peens.

I shop by handle.. if I find a 'survivor' I grab it. I have a little Plomb that is a joy to use.. perfect handle geometry.

Interesting. Never thought about it from the handle perspective. The old hammer is a deep rabbit hole for sure. I love the old Plombs/Plumbs

 

[slowtwitch73]

There's plenty of heads out there... not so many nice original handles.

I also have not quite had enough Kool Aid to accept that modern metals are trash compared to old stuff... ugly with all the warnings etc sure..

But fact that the old handle shapes/proportions are not around nowdays..

 

[p51p28]

Thanks a lot for the info and advice

 

[Ricky Joe]

Most of my ball peins have no discernible brand, though they are all old and American made, I’m sure. Of the ones with a brand name, I have Vlchek, Craftsman, Blackhawk, Blue Point, Plumb, and I have your Williams. I’ve probably got twenty or more. I’ve always appreciated the forging, and, like p51, never thought about it from the handle perspective.

 

[p51p28]

Most of my ball peins have no discernible brand, though they are all old and American made, I’m sure. Of the ones with a brand name, I have Vlchek, Craftsman, Blackhawk, Blue Point, Plumb, and I have your Williams. I’ve probably got twenty or more. I’ve always appreciated the forging, and, like p51, never thought about it from the handle perspective.

Thanks a lot for your thoughts. There's also a couple of Vaughans I'm looking at as well. I'm mainly looking for a couple that are in good enough shape so that I don't have to re-handle them. The vintage hammers just speak to me.