If your husband does a lot of hammering like a framer then you should probably consider the Titaniums. They are lighter than the steels but have the same striking force as the steels. They cost more than the steels though. If not then the standard steel Hammers are just fine. I prefer the Eastwing line of hammers. Ergonomic handles like the axe types will add to comfort while hammering.

The heavier the hammer the more tired he will get and he will get tired faster as well.

Rubber handled hammers are good when they are new but the real draw back to them is that the rubber wears out and gets a lot of black residue on everything. The Eastwing rubber that is blue doesn't do that. I have a hammer from them that is about 20 years old and no sign of the rubber breaking down.

Fiberglass handles over time tend to breakdown and shed some of the fibers especially when the handle gets beat up like in a tool box. This can cause very painful glass splinters. These hammers are pretty good at absorbing shock though.

The basic rule on hammers is you get what you pay for.

I almost forgot about the claw. I prefer the straight claw over the curved claw. I use my claw for demo as well as pulling nails. I haven't broken a tine yet. To me the straight claw is more versatile then the curved. I think it comes down to preference though.

I hope this helps you decide.

U.S.M.C. Semper Fi !!!

check this web site for large selection of estwing hammers: http://www.contractorstools.com/estwing1.html

stanley also makes a very good hammer.

If you buy 2, i would get on each of the straight claw (frammers hammer) and one with the curved claw.

JMHO

Carl

Hey there Hammerquest,

Your hubby will probably love to hear this, but...

Believe it or not, after many years in remodeling projects, I will probably soon be looking into buying a framing nailer, or at least a finish nailer.... It's a bit of a pain, as it means hauling a compressor around for nailing. But if there's a lot to do, it's the only way.

For those that have followed my posts for the past year or so, I now have a "tennis elbow", induced by a manually operated floor nailer. But the dr. says it could've been any repetitive motion...but it was the nailer...

Anyway, for me, I'm not long for old-technology hammers.

Respectfully ask your hubby not to overdo it, ok? And if so, an air-driven nailer may be the only way to go.

Regards,

-k2 in CO

Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum

http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous

how do you pull nails with the air nailer

:o) :o)

JMHO

Carl

Thank you all for your help. Though my husband no longer does construction for a living but he does do everything from building houses to finishing work in his spare time. His hammers now are all Stanley that's why I was leery of the Death stick brand.(Death Stick TI7XXX Steel-Tipped Titanium Hammer with Hickory Handle Death Stick DS21C 21-Ounce Milled Face Hammer with 19" Curved Hickory Handle )

I looked at the Stiletto TB15MS-SR TiBone 15-Ounce Titanium Hammer but am not sure if he'll like the open sides. Maybe I'll have to look a little more. As for the air nailer he does have one for trim work, but he doesn't get the satisfaction out of it. He loves to pound and loves his hammers. (his hammer, his sawz-all then me :-)

Thanks guys, you've been wonderful.

Hi Carl,

I just put the nails where they belong in the first place...then I don't need the claw! :)

But seriously, I find a good prybar pretty good for pulling nails.

And I still haven't bitten the bullet on the air nailer. Yet. But every time I pick up the hammer, I wish I had!

Regards,

-k2 in CO

Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum

http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous

Hi k2,

I use the Stanley-Bostich finish nailers 16 and 18 gauges and a crown stapler. for any framing, i still use a 20 ounce estwing framing hammer.

JMHO

Carl

Hi again Carl,

Thanks for the recommendations. I am definitely looking into the nailers (as I have no choice) but it's kind of a low-priority item (at least as far as budgeting for it goes :)

My hammers are really ancient. I have an old wood-handle framing hammer (probably about 40 years old) and an old fiberglass 16-oz (probably about 20 yrs old).

I'm probably due for a technology update anyway!

But TITANIUM! Who'd'a figured! :)

Regards,

-k2 in CO

Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum

http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous