Choseing a hammer!

Go with the Estwing. I’ve had mine for 17+years still works well. I also have the hand axe that looks the same that I’ve had for 25 years and is still very sharp.
My son is a contractor and said to avoid the titaniums. They actually can hurt you because they don’t absorb the shock. He also said the Vaughn was good but he also likes the Estwing.

Jack

-- jack -- ...measure once, curse twice!

I have a titanium hammer but it aint no good!

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

Estwing hammers are the best…. They will last you a LIFETIME!.

-- My terrible signature...

I’ve had both and either is a good hammer. I currently use a 20oz Douglas that I think is the best hammer I’ve ever had in my 40 plus years as a carpenter. But they are not cheep $60 plus. If I’m not swinging this I use a 16oz Estwing with a blue handle or for fine work my 13oz Blugrass. I started out as a young man swinging a 16oz hollow steel handled True Temper, broke a lot of those.

You’ll go through many hammers in your life so enjoy each one as your craftsmanship improves.
corrected to an estwing because Sawkerf made me realize I messed up

-- ~Just A Guy With A Hammer~

Hammer choices are really subjective, and it’s all about what you prefer and are most comfortable with. My “go-to” hammer is a 16 oz Vaughn (I actuallt have two of them) with a wood handle. I have several others ranging from a 22 oz waffle faced framing hammer (Eastwing) down to an 8 oz claw hammer that I’ve had since Moby Dick was a minnow. For overall comfort, I grab one of the Vaughn’s every time.

-- Adversity doesn't build character...................it reveals it.

I use nail guns for 90% of my nailing so I rather have a 16oz.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

I switched from estwing to plumb.Much more comfy to me.I used estwing for yrs and my bro in law helped me on a few jobs 2 yrs ago and was sold after using his a couple times. Driving 7d up to 60d ringers you will feel a difference.They also wont spontaneously fly out of your hand as much either.Seem much more balanced.I paid a hole 24 bucks for mine.

-- They just don't get my chub on.-Bertha on modern handplanes

Stilleto titanium.

-- Clint Searl.............We deserve what we tolerate

For one thing, with Uncle Arthur working on my hands, I can not hold an Estwing handle. Well I could for about one good swing, and then yell “Heads up!” because it will go flying out of my hand. I also prefer WOOD handles. For a long time, I have been using a couple 24oz rip claws. Nice long WOOD handles. Not much “shock” comes out of the handles.

Try this, if you will: Go into the store, and start picking up each type of hammer they have. Use the same swing that you’ll be using on the job. What you are looking for is control of the hammer. Can you control the swing? Hurt the hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder? Does the handle FIT you hand, and is it comfortable to hold? What might work for my hand, won’t work for your’s. Any other questions?

-- A Planer? I'M the planer, this is what I use

If you are going to be using it a lot, wood handles are the most comfortable. Of course they won’t last as long as a solid steel handle which are indestructible but wood handles can be easily customized to your grip and of course can be easily replaced when wear out.

-- Bondo Gaposis

http://www.japanwoodworker.com/product.asp?s=JapanWoodworker&pf_id=01%2E515%2E1&dept

Has anyone used and or like this style of hammer? I think the balance of the hammer and striking capabilities
would be interesting.

I have a couple of cheap claw hammers for grunt work and a 10 oz warrington hammer that gets the most use, though I’m not happy with the fit or finish. This will be my next one.

-- He who dies with the most tools... dies with the emptiest wallet.

i have the estwing blue handle. i would reccommend the 20 ounce ,the 16 ounce estwing does not handle as well

-- may not always be right,but,never in doubt.

I agree with terry603,the Estwing with blue handle ,20 oz.is a good all around hammer.that is all i used in my framing days.I had one of the Estwing with the leather rings on the handle,it looked good ,but the rivits in the end of the handle worked loose and the leather started moving back and forth and wasn’t very comfortable to use.It went back to the store and they replaced it with the blue handle hammer.I won’t buy any other hammer,than Estwing.

Sounds like you need to have more than one. I also like a good wood handle. I have an old “Plumb” that I use sometimes.

-- jack -- ...measure once, curse twice!