Really like my Stiletto 14 its what I use for framing, easy on the elbows and hands when driving nails or banging stuff around, but for formwork I like a straight claw 20oz estwing, indestructible.
Made my living for a few years with a Vaughn rigging axe- sure swung nice. I gave it up when Hitachi finally made a good nail gun. I still have Harts, a Stilletto and a couple of California Framers. Never met a real framer who used a blue handled Estwing- good way to ruin your elbow.
I used to file my hammer face every weekend to keep it sharp. I don't bother anymore. I do have an Estwing for doing demo work though!
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Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
For rough/framing, i like my Estwing 22oz straight-claw. I grab it first for most things though my ancient, red fiberglass-handled 16oz Plumb with straight claw is always close to my carpentry tools.
Like many, i was able to earn enough using them to keep food in the fridge during those rough in-between times
This is s great video showing the virtue of the Vaughans..
Its worth watching..The forging and heat treating steps are instructive. Apparently they use a water hardening alloy that they differentially harden and temper in a brine solution..
When I framed, I was the only one on the crew who carried two hammers. One framer, and one smooth head trim hammer. Both straight clawed. I did a lot of punch out work and needed both. Saved my life once, when the cut man was sawing cut pieces for the roof, but cutting the wrong direction. Threw sawdust where the ladder hit the roof, and both feet were hanging in space with both claws buried in the surface before my mind caught up with my actions. (I was three floors up and just hooking on to the safety tether.) I like fiberglass handles, but the grips come loose. Wood sometimes loosens up, and steel handles get damn cold. I've reinstalled a lot of grips on fiberglass handles with spray adhesive.
An unemployed Jester, is nobody's Fool.
the only real difference between a good tracker and a bad tracker, is observation. all the same data is present for both. The rest, is understanding what you're seeing.
Estwing framer instigated "framer's elbow" in me - years ago. I went to a wood handled 20 oz vaughan, healed up, and that hammer has had the "waffles" re-cut 3 times. I quit building 24 years ago, but that hammer stays.
Another vote for a wood-handled Vaughn claw. Anything else tore up my elbow and messed up my golf game.
Volunteered enough times that Habitat for Humanity asked me to be a supervisor. My fav is a 22 oz-er. Not only for nailing nails but knocking out misplaced studs the volunteers erroneously placed.
Make Gitmo Great Again!! Who gave the order to stop counting votes in the swing states on the night of November 3/4, 2020?
Busted the handle on my Vaughn framing hammer about a year ago. Been limping along with the various Harbor Freight type POS I have around. One day I’ll get around to re-hafting the old hammer.
Have a few ball peens I use quite a bit.
Scored the ball peens and about 10 pounds of various files at a yard sale.
They are never the same after replacing the handle. I just toss it and buy a new one.
He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.
I use ball peen hammers when planishing by hand. I have a couple of planishing posts, and a chainmail spinner.
An unemployed Jester, is nobody's Fool.
the only real difference between a good tracker and a bad tracker, is observation. all the same data is present for both. The rest, is understanding what you're seeing.
I've never bought a hammer. I have 4, and found every one of them lying in the road. Finders keepers, as if I hadn't picked them up, someone else surely would have. When I was a rural mail carrier, and driving a 100 mile route, I found all kind of stuff. Haven't had to buy tie-down straps either, as I've got enough of those to strap a dozen tarps down.
I've never bought a hammer. I have 4, and found every one of them lying in the road. Finders keepers, as if I hadn't picked them up, someone else surely would have. When I was a rural mail carrier, and driving a 100 mile route, I found all kind of stuff. Haven't had to buy tie-down straps either, as I've got enough of those to strap a dozen tarps down.
Oh, like the 4' step ladder on my truck right now.
An unemployed Jester, is nobody's Fool.
the only real difference between a good tracker and a bad tracker, is observation. all the same data is present for both. The rest, is understanding what you're seeing.
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