Afternoon all, Just looking for some recommendations on a new claw hammer for the garage. I think my current one might have been my wife's out of an ikea toolbox once upon a time, but it could definitely do with replacing. Are Estwing / Fat Max worth the premium and if so, any preferences? Thinking probably a 20oz Thanks all
Most chippies use Estwing and then your choice is between a leather or rubber handle, straight claw or curved claw.
Perfer 20oz myself, but I just got the Dewalt 22oz,wasn't intending to buy a new hammer, but the balance, a lovely hammer, it's the heavier mate of the Dewalt DWHT51054 below . You need to try a few hammers & see what suits you. DEWALT DWHT51054 is hard to beat, nice balance,good nail pulling. https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-one-piece-rip-claw-hammer-20oz-0-57kg/7142h https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-one-piece-rip-claw-hammer-22oz-0-63kg/7729h https://www.dewalt.com/products/han...ry-bars/22-oz-onepiece-steel-hammer/dwht51064
If you want something a bit cheaper, then look at the Estwing Sure Strike Claw Hammer 20oz, stocked by the competitor.
That's a sparky's hammer. Mind you, a sparky I work with quite a lot uses anything that comes to hand to hammer things with - cordless drills, vacuum cleaners, back boxes - literally anything that is outwardly harder than his hand. He is banned from using my tools - even for their intended purpose!
I bought an Eastwing Force forward hammer 17oz, good for nail pulling but heavy for normal odd jobs and instead of round bruises (on wood and thumbs) you get square ones!
Tried a estwing forward force gave it back in an hour found it put unnecessary stress on my wrist, back to the old faithful short leather handle straight claw estwing 20oz bit pricey and take an age for the handle to ware in but will never brake
Rarely put any nails in with a hammer, mostly use screws or cordless nail gun (1st fix , 2nd & finish) . Pulling nails, I tend to use pry bars or nail pullers. The only job I had to use a claw hammer for recently was to put staples in for some pig wire.
Get one of these and after a few you will be happy just to bang the old nails in flush! https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Trend-Hammer-Crusher-Stainless/dp/B00EUBUR94
Must admit I used for decades an old 16oz Stanley claw hammer which has very strong metal - years of pulling nails has hardly worn the claws. It has been a very decent hammer. I bought a 20 oz Estwing (for no good reason other than it has a good reputation) and the balance is superb and blow strength. I also have a nice looking cheap fibreglass shaft 20 oz claw hammer that came with a kit of cheap tools and am sure it will do the job, but feels very heavy
Good point! I now have checked the OP and see he has been a member for a few years, so maybe completely genuine post.
Back in 1974, that's right, 74, I got a hickory handle claw hammer from Tooting market. It's been the most faithful friend now for some 44yrs. I can still remember the cost, was the best £6 spent on any tool.
£6 would have been a lot of money back in 1974! Probably like paying £60 now at least Your nickname isn’t Trigger is it? Good programme that Only Fools & Horses.