Estwing framing hammer - something I've wanted for years now

[Charlie_K]

There's really not much I can say on the matter. I've wanted this hammer ever since I discovered it existed 10 or so long years ago, but was never in a position to spend the money on one. Its size and heft just struck me as being worthwhile.

Then one day I found an old, well-used one in the pawn shop for $6 and just had to have it, and I've loved it ever since. I've been using it on numerous jobs, even when a framing hammer isn't necessary. But despite that I've always wanted a brand new one.

Today that matter has finally been rectified.

And for the five people in existence on this forum who still don't understand the size difference between a framing hammer and regular hammer.

 

[BJE]

They are great hammers, I love mine just like my dad loved his, he used to be a roofer way back and it was a prized possession for him.
They aren’t all that expensive though, certainly over the coarse of ten years, $25 would have gone unnoticed from nearly anyone’s budget.

 

[dld]

my favorite is the
Estwing Asian Pattern Hammer

 

[the-accumulator]

I hired on as a carpenter for a summer job while in college in the late 70s. I acquired the Estwing waffle-faced framer (pictured) and a used Plumb framing axe and learned the pros and cons of each.

In the photo I also show a like-new Vaughn 32oz framer (too big for my arm) and an Estwing finish hammer for comparison. For me, when framing (which is not my occupation), I like having both the Estwing framer and the axe at hand. But neither works for me for non-framing tasks due to the waffle face. That would leave a pretty ugly scar on finish work. I have many Estwing tools and have no trouble understanding how you can grow attached to them. Enjoy your new tool! T-A

 

[Hickory n steel]

20oz Vaughan 999 or Craftsman hammertooth variation is my preference as I only do wood handles, but understand the estwing is a quality tool and well respected.


Congrats on your purchase.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I hired on as a carpenter for a summer job while in college in the late 70s. I acquired the Estwing waffle-faced framer (pictured) and a used Plumb framing axe and learned the pros and cons of each.
View attachment 1371792
In the photo I also show a like-new Vaughn 32oz framer (too big for my arm) and an Estwing finish hammer for comparison. For me, when framing (which is not my occupation), I like having both the Estwing framer and the axe at hand. But neither works for me for non-framing tasks due to the waffle face. That would leave a pretty ugly scar on finish work. I have many Estwing tools and have no trouble understanding how you can grow attached to them. Enjoy your new tool! T-A

Nice riggers axe you've got there.

 

[FLINT77]

There's really not much I can say on the matter. I've wanted this hammer ever since I discovered it existed 10 or so long years ago, but was never in a position to spend the money on one. Its size and heft just struck me as being worthwhile.

Then one day I found an old, well-used one in the pawn shop for $6 and just had to have it, and I've loved it ever since. I've been using it on numerous jobs, even when a framing hammer isn't necessary. But despite that I've always wanted a brand new one.

Today that matter has finally been rectified.

And for the five people in existence on this forum who still don't understand the size difference between a framing hammer and regular hammer.

Nice Hammer! glad you were able to get a nice new one!

I have one just like it, except it's a waffle faced one. Here it is with some of his buddies

from left to right,
12oz curved (leather!), 16oz curved, 20oz straight, 22oz straight, 16oz ball pein, 32oz ball pein, 3lb sledge, 4lb sledge, 12oz rock

 

[Charlie_K]

I finally got around to taking pictures of both framing hammers together, the old and the new.

It's interesting how, despite being the same model, they're not quite the same.

At some point Estwing must've modified the design/mould, because the haft is bigger on the new hammer, and the claws are longer and straighter compared to the old hammer.

 

[stevewest]

I am partial to the Hart 25. I have found that the Estwing, with the steel shaft, is a little tougher on my elbow than the Hart which is wood handled. I am always careful with the Hart framer as far as pulling nails/demo - that's what I use the Estwing for. The Hart really does a good job driving nails. I used to buy the Tru Temper steel shaft, but after breaking the 2nd one, shifted over to the Estwing for demo and concrete forming.

 

[Charlie_K]

my favorite is the
Estwing Asian Pattern Hammer

I've looked all over the Estwing site, I can't find that particular model anywhere.

 

[Charlie_K]

Nice Hammer! glad you were able to get a nice new one!

I have one just like it, except it's a waffle faced one. Here it is with some of his buddies

from left to right,
12oz curved (leather!), 16oz curved, 20oz straight, 22oz straight, 16oz ball pein, 32oz ball pein, 3lb sledge, 4lb sledge, 12oz rock

I've found out only too late that Estwings are just as addictive as any other drug or good tool you can get your hands on. In addition to two ripping hammers and two framing hammers, I've got one of their 22 ounce Bricklayer hammers as well. And even though I don't need them, I'm thinking about getting one of their Hammertooth models. Maybe one of their Ultra series hammer.

My sister wants one of their 2 pound Drilling hammers.

 

[Stelth]

Estwings are excellent. I just picked up a framing hammer at an estate sale for $5. I'm now on the prowl for their carpenter's hatchet.

 

[RayseM]

My very first tool which I still have and use after 40+ years is an Estwing 16oz. leather wrapped, bought in a pawn shop for maybe $2.00. NOT A FRAMING hammer by any stretch - due to the light weight but also NO ANTIVIBE. It has built lots of stuff and NEVER bit me!

BUT - Man do yourself a favor and get an ANTIVIBE framing hammer, of any brand. Will potentially save your body much abuse Still for $6.00 - you dun good

 

[Hickory n steel]

I am partial to the Hart 25. I have found that the Estwing, with the steel shaft, is a little tougher on my elbow than the Hart which is wood handled. I am always careful with the Hart framer as far as pulling nails/demo - that's what I use the Estwing for. The Hart really does a good job driving nails. I used to buy the Tru Temper steel shaft, but after breaking the 2nd one, shifted over to the Estwing for demo and concrete forming.

My first hammer was an old 25oz Hart farmer my dad gave me as a kid.
I was so proud of the work I did taking the rust off the head and the handle I carved for it.
Somehow that homemade handle I jammed in there stayed tight enough for me to use the crap out of it.
Way too much hammer for 13 year old me, but it was mine and I loved it.

No clue what became of that horrible homemade handle, I probably removed it when I decided to put a real handle on it years ago.

 

[Hickory n steel]

My very first tool which I still have and use after 40+ years is an Estwing 16oz. leather wrapped, bought in a pawn shop for maybe $2.00. NOT A FRAMING hammer by any stretch - due to the light weight but also NO ANTIVIBE. It has built lots of stuff and NEVER bit me!

BUT - Man do yourself a favor and get an ANTIVIBE framing hammer, of any brand. Will potentially save your body much abuse Still for $6.00 - you dun good

Nah, hickory is the original " antivibe " handle
that word never even appeared in the same sentence as the word hammer till this problem was created.

I could see myself using a little stacked leather 8oz ball peen if Estwing made one, now that would be one classy little hammer for my airgun smithing kit for sure.

 

[RayseM]

Nah, hickory is the original "

antivibe " handle
that word never even appeared in the same sentence as the word hammer till this problem was created.

I could see myself using a little stacked leather 8oz ball peen if Estwing made one, now that would be one classy little hammer for my airgun smithing kit for sure.

Maybe - I've never tried a hickory handle but I have hammered with a wrapped handle on a 20oz hammer and went through a spell of not being able to lift my arm for nearly 2 weeks. Very painful experience. With the anti vibe - never again was that an issue. YMMV.

 

[Stelth]

 

[Charlie_K]

My very first tool which I still have and use after 40+ years is an Estwing 16oz. leather wrapped, bought in a pawn shop for maybe $2.00. NOT A FRAMING hammer by any stretch - due to the light weight but also NO ANTIVIBE. It has built lots of stuff and NEVER bit me!

BUT - Man do yourself a favor and get an ANTIVIBE framing hammer, of any brand. Will potentially save your body much abuse Still for $6.00 - you dun good

What counts as an "antivibe" hammer in the Estwing lineup?

 

[RayseM]

What counts as an "antivibe" hammer in the Estwing lineup?

They claim that the one you have features their "shock reduction grip" - but not in my experience. I use a Stanley these days for heavy nailing. Well, truth be told, I use a Paslode or GRK screws with an impact driver. My real framing days are behind me.

 

[Charlie_K]

They claim that the one you have features their "shock reduction grip" - but not in my experience. I use a Stanley these days for heavy nailing. Well, truth be told, I use a Paslode or GRK screws with an impact driver. My real framing days are behind me.

I'm the same way. Most framing work I get involved in anymore involves battery operated tools and screws rather than a hammer and nails. Most stuff the framing hammer gets used for could easily be done with a regular hammer so it's probably overkill. But sometimes the wood is a lot more stubborn and hard than you give it credit for.