Is a Stiletto Hammer Worth it?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 พ.ย. 2023
- A great hammer is more like a partner than a tool. Hammer like
a blacksmith: • Hammer Like A Blacksmith
Free Starter Blacksmithing Tool List bit.ly/blacksmithingtools
Free Guide - 100 Tools Every Craftsman Must Have bit.ly/EC100tools
Enjoy EC? Learn about Essential Craftsman Academy!
essentialcraftsman.com/academy
This is the best way to support Essential Craftsman and you get a LOT of perks as a bonus.
Check it out.
PODCAST👇
Spotify spoti.fi/39ezy3d
Apple apple.co/33dbrJQ
Stitcher bit.ly/3NWy8sY
TH-cam bit.ly/2n4HCLG
Second Channel (Podcast video, family, misc content) bit.ly/2n4HCLG
If you are going to hire a contractor for a big project PLEASE read our ebook first!
amzn.to/2v6qZ6j
T Shirts, Hoodies, and other Merch: bit.ly/2C7JFRv
Instagram / essentialcraftsman
Twitter / ecnatwad
Facebook / essentialcraftsman
Amazon Affiliate Links:
Amazon Store amzn.to/2pcUk8G
Makita 18v Impact amzn.to/2R9uamN
4 ft level amzn.to/389qsQa
Utility Knife amzn.to/2RjVRJL
Palm Nailer amzn.to/2LhvTTd
Spencer Tape amzn.to/2EQWxPy
Carpenter Bags amzn.to/2XeBaC1
Belt bit.ly/3MsdijV
Hammer amzn.to/31y4q66
Tape Measure amzn.to/2WYg23Q
Skil Saw amzn.to/2UcQyLi
Video Equipment and Misc.
Main Camera amzn.to/2WG9qSC
Secondary Camera amzn.to/32tS2Vx
Microphone (for narration from office) amzn.to/2WquPnM
Wireless Microphone amzn.to/2IGpNto
Other Wireless Microphone amzn.to/397VmxJ
Tripod amzn.to/2XOJcOd
GoPro amzn.to/3znHgTA
GoPro Tripod amzn.to/3aL8pFH
Battery Bucket amzn.to/3GVR9cV
ActionPacker amzn.to/2l7Msqv
www.essentialcraftsman.com/
![THE TOYS x NONT TANONT - ดอกไม้ที่รอฝน (spring) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pPa1d5cC8M4/mqdefault.jpg)
I don't do a lot of framing purely with hammer, but me and my buddy did build his house last year just with framing hammers and nails and I have to say, sitting up on a ridge beam out in the PA back country and hearing the woodpeckers doing their own hammering, and ravens calling, autumn leaves turning and the cool wind blowing, while you joke with your friend and sink nails is a feeling that can't be duplicated. Sometimes it's good to remind yourself that you're a human, and not a production machine. Sure we took our time and spent five days doing what could have taken three; but I don't think it was time lost, it was experience gained.
I love story’s like yours man that’s the kinda shit i live for just busting it up with a buddy getting something done that needs to be done that’s what being a man is all about
All true I work in lake arrowhead ca mountains love hearing the nature
Hell YES! I built a tiny house with my dad. One month, then he went home to hang out with mommy. Then another month. We were working slowly, and hauling ass at the same time. And it was so FUN! Zero stress!
Awesome
40 year framer here
I use a lot of your tricks just by working all these years
You learn from great teachers.
Maybe if you're lucky you run into 3 in your lifetime.
Then , you learn your own tricks .
But your evolution of the hammer is basically exactly the road I lived.
Great videos.
All your string tying tricks I've done on my own and lots of stuff you show.
I go awe
Yeah
Respect
I framed for 15 years before going back to school to become an engineer. The Stiletto was the best hammer I have ever owned. It once dropped out of my bag, between the floor joists, it hit the concrete floor below, and bounced up just far enough for me to reach between the joists and snatch it back into my hand.
What made you want to go back to school? And the best advice can you give a young guy in the trades
@@mustafabashir8127 I stopped drinking and using drugs and got bored of what I was doing. As far as advice I would give... Live sober, be curious, raise your hand and ask questions. Finding the answer to something is often easy with digital copies of solutions manuals and Chegg, but sometimes they are wrong. As yourself how they got to that answer instead of just what is the correct answer.
@@mustafabashir8127 realizing you can make the same amount of money working 40hrs a week. less fights with your wife, more time to do what you want, less pain.
@@mustafabashir8127head down work hard earn your pay and you'll be the boss one day.
this channel, people... i am a law graduate, and this MAN has undoubtedly ignited a fire for work generally, but most of all, it introduced me into wood working/ carpentry/ etc and I know all you guys will probably be blue collar workers, and trust me, I admire you all, but let me just say that me, a person without much of a previous interest in manual labor, have began to work on myself in this aspect and this channel is SUCH a great influence, not only regarding working but life advice and habits and being a man driven to feed people that he cares about.
I love being a part of this community, even though I know you guys, working hard, would eat me alive :D
I grew up framing with nails and a hammer. Today things have changed and I use a 15 oz titanium hammer for most of my framing work. With nail guns and screws we use today most of the uses for the hammer is finishing a nail that didn't completely drive or adjusting framing. One thing I really appreciate is the reduced weight that I carry in my belt. Everything in my belt is as lite as I can find.
Including the word light, you saved one letter there, ha ha. :-D
No vibration is good too.
Same
As someone who does not work in the trades, when I was building my 3500sf pole barn shop, I bought a Stiletto framing hammer and a finish hammer specifically because I knew I didn’t have the strength built up from swinging the heavy hammers every day. They were phenomenal and I still use them whenever I have a project that needs nails driven.
I run the same hammer with a different handle (shaped more like an axe handle) and I agree that at the end of the day, my elbow feels great. I’m 58 and carpenters half my age are complaining about elbow pain but won’t take my advice on investing in their health by purchasing a stiletto. Love your content and your message.
We call that shape a California framing handle.
You are such a great communicator. The tone of you voice, the choice of words you choose, mixed with your video content. Amazing. I’d listen to a motivational talk or sermon given from you.
You said it much better than I could. Thumbs up to your comment.
I was thinking the exact same thing.
Yes
That tono of voice and personality
A gentleman
A person you want a conversation
The Stiletto Hammer is a great Christmas gift for anyone in the trades. I was gifted one from my brother as a thank you gift and I think about that fact every time i use it...which is a lot.
I just noticed that Homedepot has a few models of Stilleto on sale. $90 each for both smooth and milled face 14oz models, and a little smooth face 10oz model. Lowes does not carry Stilleto.
I was gifted my T15II by my nephew, best hammer ever!
*see my comment above
Agreed--if your star young employee or handy hubby doesn't own one of these, nothing makes a better gift for any carpenter with enough experience to have seen these things but never dared to splurge. Certainly for any pro carpenter the benefits more than make up for the cost. Buy the all-titaium Ti-bone if you can afford it. The hickory handle, titanium head described in this video is super light and great for nailing, but it sucks for everything else (pulling nails and demo and using the hammer like an ice pick handle to pick up and transport window headers, etc.). About half of carpenters who purchase the hickory handle because it's much less expensive end up sinking another $300 later on what they really want.
The all-titanium Ti-bone (or other brand of your choice) are pretty, work greate for nailing in normal grip positions and obviously are better at pulling nails/demo BUT try using it when you're up in the trusses, setting hips/perlings-when you're swing your hammer sideways and super choked up on the handle (about the only way you'll see framers setting perlings on flat top trusses before sheathing is on. The all metal handles are terrible for out of posiition nailing, particularly when you have to choke up on the handle. At least that's my oppinion and experience with wood (or wood shaped) handles versus all metal handles. The all metal estwing, 28 oz, waffle or smooth face, is an AWESOME hammer, just absolutely terrible to choke up on the handle. Plus the skinny metal handle almost acts like an axe if it ever accidentally hits a finger (think out of position nailing, like putting on joist hangers on an elevated deck when standing on the joist/rim-joist) @@zacharyroyce
@@Ifishmo Interesting. I am trying to understand exactly what you mean by out of position hammering. I suppose you mean when you have to swing up or sideways or maybe at an oblique angle like for tight in work with hangers or whatever, but then I don't follow how that is different with a wood handle. I do see how my dad's old small (or normal sized, not framing) metal handle (with leather ring grips) and my 28oz Estwing (my first framing hammer) with their blade-like shafts between grip and head would be unpleasant for choked up grip and an edge hazard if you get either your grip or support hand in the way, but my Tibone (and I suppose the same applies to Martinez) is not nearly that narrow and sharp and I have not noticed issues with awkward hammering or hitting choked up. You might use your hammer more than I do and thus run into situations I don't. I don't use my hammer much setting trusses except for metal hangers. I do hit choked up all the time when no one is looking who might think less of my manliness. I am trying to understand what you mean about flat-top truss purlins--I wonder if you mean cross bracing on the underside in which you would be nailing up, or like barn trusses spaced too far apart to span with your stance so you have to maybe hammer down while standing underneath?? Forgive me, I've been doing this less than ten years and there's still lots of things I haven't done.
Every video is more inspirational than the last. This channel is a jewel.
Started with a Estwing back when I poured concrete because they are tough and last forever. When I started framing, I went to a Cali style framer and used a 16oz Estwing for overhead work. Now that Im older I switched to a Martinez and my elbow and wrist thank me for it everytime I pick it up.
When I broke into drywall in the mid-70's, I started off with a plumb ax. It worked because I didn't know any better. I soon tried a 14oz 'Wallboard' and never looked back. I've tried others on occasion but still use my wallboard. I've replaced the handle 3 times and resurfaced the face twice.
I think it comes down to 2 things. The right tool for the job and what works for you. Might seem silly to some but I only use specific brands because others just don't 'feel' right.
I splurged on a Stilletto, like that one, based on watching this channel. For general building and often just setting screws, I love my stiletto and for hard-to-reach spots, I really love that magnet nail setter.
For demo work I still grab my weight forward Estwing as it is also an awesome nail puller and I don’t like beating up my stiletto, banging away on a cats paw.
Haha. I do the exact same thing. I always carry both. Estwing is demo and overall beating on 😄
I too similarly mimic Nicholas' comment. Bought the 14 oz Stilletto based on watching your video, and use a 20oz Bostitch Ripping Hammer for everything "dirty". I also recently purchased something new, that you will know- a 5lb. Formsetter. It's not a tool that I need, but will still get fair amount of use, and it's purchase is primarily due to my intrigue and desire to support the work you do and share with us, and the inspirational work ethic that Andrew Larson possesses. You guys are awesome. Keep up the good work.
Get an all-titanium hammer and use only one hammer for everything. My full explanation in separate comment above.
if you bought a Ferrari would you park it in the garage or drive it like you stole it ? don't baby that stilleto treat it like a two dollar whore ! that's what it's made/designed for or don't then you have an expensive paperweight just sayin'
I used to hang siding where you must use a hammer. Buying a stiletto was life changing. I think it's a 10oz. Pain in my arm/wrist was gone and the weight on my belt greatly reduced. I don't work construction anymore but to this day it's one of my prized possessions.
I will never come close to using a hammer for a living. Unless I'm intent on getting hurt. But damn what a pleasure it is to hear a professional talk about his tool and profession.
He could talk about making Jell-O and make it sound interesting.
"Unless I'm intent on getting hurt."
That's just a part of the job. There isn't a single week that goes by that I make it without leaking a little "vital fluid" for my living.
@heman5954 As my wife tells me I put a little piece of me into everything I make
Every thing we enjoy in our day to day life that most don’t think about; is the guys with hammers either building or maintaining everything.
I'm a carpenter you do hurt yourself but you get used to it and it stops hurting as my h when you do
1000000% worth it.. working with a guy this week up in N Dakota and dang they are so light, yet powerful. Get one; never look back.
Thank you! The first time you talked about the Stiletto on the channel i bought me one and have used it for some small stuff and building a workshop and it feels grate! I work all day in front of a computer and my hands, wrists and forearms are not harden for the use of a hammer for 20 h on a weekend. So this is a super advice for those of us who do some intense hammering, but far in between =)
I still have the Stilletto I bought in 1999. At the time I was just breaking into my commercial superintendent position, which I retired from nearly 20 years later. Consequently, the Stiletto still has the original handle, though the corrugation is nearly worn off. It is a very good tool. I’ll have until I am no more.
Not sure what use a hammer is for hosting meetings and submitting for hot work permits.
For the last 20 years of my commercial construction career, the hammer did not get much use. But, it was in the truck, with the nail bags. One of the carpenters helping me was getting s tool out of the truck box and noticed my nail bags in the box. He expressed surprise that they. were there, and asked me why I still had them with me. I told him that I might need to jump in and give a hand some time. And I on occasion, when the situation allowed.
As a commercial electrician, i always buy the best for the tools i use all day everyday. Not only are they better quality, but they are a joy to use and you enjoy reaching in your bag for them.
Stiletto hammer and Vaughan rigging axe are my everyday carry as a carpenter. I love them both. Love your videos. Keep up the good work!
It might seem crazy to spend a ton of money on quality ratchet to do your job to an outsider. But as an auto mechanic my cushioned handle fine tooth long flex head cornwell 3/8 ratchet was life changing. Gives me confidence. Just works. Good tools help you do your job and sometimes I forget that. Every battery powered doodad will never be as reliable as that rachet. I totally get your point here. Eloquent and poetic video on tools.
Like AvE said (quoting someone else) "Quality isn't expensive, it's priceless"
Thanks for all the awesome content and amazing videos!!
Thank you for your recommendation sir, I've been looking at these hammers for about 6 months and been shy of pulling the trigger on one. The passion you show towards it has convinced me to try one for myself, and, I'm sure I will love it as much as you do. Thank you again and may God bless you and those you love.
I bought my stilleto a couple of weeks ago , because of your advice on it and man , I love it ! I've nailed over 500 nails today and have no pain in my arms at all , thanks for the tip. Greetings from far away Brazil
Fala cara, onde você comprou seu martelo Stiletto? Estou de olho em um na Amazon Brasil, mas está o olho da cara. Mas vou encarar ele assim mesmo!
I’ve had my stiletto for 8 years. Absolutely love it
Your videos are an inspiration...and super informative. I buy and restore old hand planes, and using them is the best experience to be had. Good tools are like fine cookware for a chef. It doesn't feel like work when you have a fine tool in your hand.
This style of hammer was invented in the early 70's when we used to cut the axe side of a rigging axe off and then weld on claws that were cut off of a Vaughn framing hammer. The weight was customized to your liking. We did this because the rigging axe was uniquely balanced and was really great for that but lacked the claws that we needed for pulling nails. All this made sense because we were driving 75-100 lbs of nails a day by hand. I doubt any framer could do that today. When we showed up to the jobsite before dawn you would see several fires burning on the site. That was because we mixed parrafin with gasoline which made a milky soup that we sprinkled on the open box of nails which was then lit on fire. When the gas burned off, a light coating of parafin coated the nails making them easer to drive home with one swat. unfortunately, they would back out just as easy which obviously wasn't good so the nail manufacturers started coating the bright nails with a heat activated green glue film. We called them " green stinkers". Then someone invented the nailgun and the mohicans took over the trade and everything went to shit as far as quality was concerned. It was fun to watch. Glad I was part of it. Southern California track carpenters. Best in the world.
Good to know, thanks for the recommendation.
My crew doesn’t do too much framing, mainly interior remodels. Every once in a while we get a bigger framing job, and I always love watching the younger guys realize that they are just as capable at driving nails with a 19-22 oz wood handle hammer as they are with their 28oz estwing. Because I did the same thing! I took the job and went out and bought an estwing and showed up feeling like I was ready to do some real work and then after the first large project we did I immediately went out and bought a lighter wood handled hammer like all the old hands were using! Still love my estwing and one day I’ll teach my kids about building and let them have it, but for now my elbows thank me every evening for the switch!
Keep up the good work!
Good job. Thank you 😊
We always choose the tools that get our job done with the least amount of effort, if you have your head on straight. We also have multiples of tools that are built differently and perform differently for the job at hand. I have my favorites too in my field of work. They are just an assistant to my hands. Whether hammers or something else, all the same. Good video. Thanks.
Thank you!
They are nice but i'm partial to my Dalluge titanium made in the Douglas Tool hammer pattern. The handle connection is unique and the over strike protection they have along the side nail puller make it super useful.
Great video enjoyed listening to you talk about hammers.
I have that exact same hammer and have carried it for years. It's always with me on the job.
im interested in hearing you talk about rigging axes since i dont know anything about them. Great video as always
Started with Plumb, Vaughn and Hart hammers. Still have most of them although I need about 6 new handles. Many sizes, types and smooth and corregated. 47 years, now retired. Thank you sir for all the great videos and the memories that they bring back.
The 14 oz curved handle milled face Stiletto has been on my Amazon wishlist for over a year now. I don’t do enough framing to justify the purchase considering I already own a 19 oz Estwing, but I definitely know it will be more fun to swing given the opportunity to.
I do however own the 10 oz smooth face Stiletto and it is a pleasure to set trim nails and little tappy things. I even used it as a framing hammer on occasion instead of going to the truck to switch to the Estwing.
Good choice for a video. Enjoyed watching.
As someone who frames something only every few years I still rely on my first 23oz Vaugn California framer and my Dad's 70's 16oz finish, but I do have an axe too, it is a great addition to the general construction kit. But if I did more I would love the side pull and magnetic nail holder, those are great improvements to the hammer!
I’m with you my friend but I use a 19 oz. California framer
The 23 California framer was my hammer of choice for almost twenty years. I still have my last one from before I changed professions. Every morning at the site I found some sap oozing out of a board and rubbed it on the handle, Florida heat and humidity keeps you pouring sweat. Having it slip out of hand at full swing can be devastating.
Keep up the good work.
As usual. Nice video
As a Concrete guy I really like a 16 oz Estwing rubber handle with a 2" mark on handle for use in wall straightening faster than getting a tape measure out of a pouch. I also use as a pick and can use hammer side ways to put grade in a 8" wall. For $25 I get 10 years of use before claw wears out and doesn't pull nails.
Great video
I did some rough framing in my early 20's before joining the military... I still have my stiletto in the tool box over 10 years later, just incase!
As a siding installer, I can definitely say YES.
A satisfying video 👍🏼
This channel and project farm is where I go to for an opinion
Pretty sure what brought me to this channel was the hammer comparison video years ago back when I got into construction. As a plumber now, a 20oz rip claw Estwing is the most versatile for me because it's also great for digging and trenching but I do feel tempted to get a Stiletto sometimes.
My handyman business specializes in picture hanging. I opted for a 10 oz, Stiletto with a wood handle. Loved it so much, purchased a second. My watch is Timex. Jeans & shoes are from Walmart. I love my Stiletto hammers. And yes, your elbow will thank you.
Your video "framing hammer hall of fame" was the first video I watched of yours, and I did end up getting a Stiletto, and if you can afford it, they are great.
Love these videos, it's like listening to my Dad.
I remember saving to buy my first stiletto. 20 years later, I have four and have gifted numerous others to the brothers I have served with.
What a story teller.. felt like listening to old radio program
I have one of these I inherited from my uncle. I was just searching the internet to find out what it’s all about. Very cool.
Iv been in construction 80 percent of my life, what you said brings back memories, I have used rigging ave because of it's balance and wieght, an I have the hammer, the titanium/ Ruger hammer, ( got it used for 10.00) a smooth face great for 'no waffle hammering/ finishing, it's been a while though sence the elites are killing are economy, good video!
And their eBay value just shot up, Thank you an amazing video as always.
I hope to someday buy a ti hammer, I’ve been looking for years.
i have a t bone 15 once and its saved my elbow so much doing scaffolding.
I’ve been doing construction and renovation for years have all my own tools, but when someone on site lends me they’re stilleto the odd time I feel the difference! Definitely not necessary for me my hammer is pretty great 50 dollar range but if you’re a framer or in the trades and want a cool hammer that will flex on people that’s the one!!
Bought a TI bone in 2013 when I started doing more formwork until I snapped the claws off in 2018. Bought a 14 oz wood Stiletto after that and used it for about 6-7 months. The lack of a steel face just made it wear out crazy fast and mushroom and I'd have to file off the burr every month or so since it would get so sharp. Bought a Martinez M1 in 2018 and it's going to be the hammer I retire with unless it grows legs. A tool you use every day is something that deserves to be a tool of quality.
I had the very same fun 32 ounce waffle hammer. That thing was great. 40 years ago couldn’t beat it like you said you wouldn’t wanna hit your thumb on it nailing up trapping.
Surprised you didn't address the TiBone I have and many others in commercial carpentry. If you're pulling dups, the side puller on that is superlative. But I can see if you are mostly using a nail gun, the 14oz framer you showed may be more comfortable to carry around all the time. I've felt one, and I always say it was like swinging a cloud :)
I agree 100% Vaughn 999 20 ounce was my favorite but a rig axe is a marvel and used a fair bit.
Best money I ever spent! I'll never regret it.
Love mine.
Last week I scheduled shoulder surgery for January. Just bought a Stiletto to use when I am back to normal duty.
Does anyone else get old Warren Miller ski video vibes when listening to Essential Craftsman? Great memories.
Your list is about right, been at it about the same, used a rigging axe until pneumatics, than switched to hart hammers, which had axe handles, got a ruger when they came out $65, still is my go to unless trimming than it’s back to a hart finish hammer, I have a top 5 tool list and the ruger is on it.
1. Ruger
2. Hydraulic impact
3. Cordless framing saw
4. Cordless multi tool
5. Multi plane laser, with plum dots
All makita
List changes occasionally but ti hammer always remains.
Thanks for the videos, you remind me of a gentleman that I worked with for many many years.
Forgot one that edges out laser, cordless track saw,
I remember back in the 70s framing in the Bay Area, we would take the rigging axe and cut the blade off it then weld claws on it. The main reason was, back then, most of the jobs were union and it was illegal to use the rigging axe. If the business agent came out on the job site, he could easily see that framers were using a rigging axe. And your right, they will do a number on your thumb.
I have both the wood stilletto like yours and the all titanium horribly expensive stilletto. The wood handle one is the better of the two. I love it. I do grab my straight claw Estwing framer once a week because I’ve had it since I was 18 (30 years ago) and it’s a good old friend….. kind of like my occidental bags, a good old friend.
I have a wooden handle stiletto hanging on the wall in my garage. It was a gift from my father for completing Carpentry Trade school. Now as a Journeyman my daily hammer is the Martinez M1.
Also, A few years ago someone on site shared a hammer trick, when you hold it rest your thumb up on back of the handle. You have a different range of motion then just your wrist and it honestly helps with power and balance too
I use that technique, it gives one much more control and I find it less stressful on my wrist.
Another trick is to extend one's trigger finger down the handle, it works well when driving small nails and pins.
@@TheToolnut thanks!! I’m gonna try this!
@@TheToolnut I'm a Chippy in New Zealand, 35 years in the trade, as we call it here, & I've owned a fibreglas handled Vaughn 20oz for a very very long time & I worked out by observation many many moons ago that the hard rubber type handle grip has grooves in it for the side of your palm & for your trigger finger & Thumb for grip! Not many people like it as a Hammer, BUT I do & I'm the one using it!!! Personally, I don't like Eastwing hammers, I don't see or understand why people love them so much..... When I was a kid my Dad had a "Plumb" fiberglass handled 20oz Hammer (my Dad is 87 still has it 47 years later... he lost it for years!!!) & I grew up using that so perhaps that influenced me a lot.... I have bought 3 Eastwings over my 35 year time span in the construction though - I think a 25 & 28? oz 14" Framing hammers but don't like the long handles on them - too hard on my elbows ( I've had Tennis elbow in both arms probably 10 times or more ( & had 4 Quaterzone steriod injections in ea. forearm muscle to help heal it.... ) I really bought them for building/constructing timber/lumber retaining walls.
The other Eastwing I bought is a 21oz Fiberglass handle are they ??? "Weight Forward" hammer, I bought it in excellent 2nd hand condition because it looked eye appealing, I liked the "weight forward" concept as that's what my Vaughn is exactly like I.e. all the weight is in the head of the hammer... & personally, I like a hammer in that style/format.... plus it has very flat Claws & also they're very tapered to quite a thin end & it's the same on my Vaughn & I also like that as a feature on a Hammer too.
In New Zealand, 95% of Chippy's use Eastwings..... Very very predominantly we use 20oz in N.Z. rare to see higher weighted hammers in use....
I still use a 16oz, I have a "Bollox" a Japaneese made steel handled one for lighter duties..... bought it 2nd hand for $5.00!!! & My 22 year old 325 model Paslode framer gun is still going strong!!!
I've still got my pneumatic "Senco" SFN70 Framing gun & SFN 40 Trim guns that I bought when I was 22 years old now I'm past a 1/2 century in age!!!
My elbows hate framing nail guns but I like them. Good ole' estwing blue fits me. Thanks for the insight.
I'm 29 and I'm still in my big estwing stage 😂 30 oz and i love it. But your right for overhead work. Thanks for another great video
Definitely worth it. I'd like to try a Martinez
I know u love ur wooden handle. But the TB3 with the side nail puller is awesome. Especially when stripping out forms the leverage you get in that little side puller is truly impressive. For commercial work when duplex nails specified everywhere: it’s the perfect driver and puller
Dude you making a generation of smarts workers 🖖🏻
Never thought that a hammer could have such an interesting story! 😊
Ive been a carpenter for 10 years, spending a large majority of my time framing large houses and additions. 3 years ago I bought a stiletto tibone III and i love it, its way easier on the body than a solid steel hammer and performs better than any other hammers ive owned
My goodness after a 30 year career I finally splurged. A friend let me try his for the day about 6 months ago. The difference was immediate. I bought the Mini 14 which is all titanium. Heads can be changed out, and a nylon cover turns it into a dead blow hammer. I’m building a set of stairs right now, two things stand out. Way better precision with a nail set, and I have way more feel for tapping. Used that same Vaughn 20 Oz. Then moved to Vaughn fiberglass curved claw. The Stiletto is my last hammer. Was interested in a Martinez, but they are 400 clams. The framers I know love the Stilettos. Thanks for the review. !
@ @casterman2, I'm a Chippy in N.Z. & use a 20oz curved claw fiberglass handled Vaughn!!! Had it for many many years, I'm 35 years in trade!!!
I recently got a couple Toughbuilt brand hammers, a 22 oz framer with the waffle face and a 16 oz finish hammer. The big one has a shock absorbing spring and they both have an interesting shape. I don't use them daily but when I do they're just about perfect. And they're pretty cheap at Lowe's. Toughbuilt makes some interesting stuff.
I’ve always wanted a stiletto hammer. But as a concrete guy that frames maybe five weeks a year I haven’t been able to justify one. I do have a full metal estwing that I am proud of. I hope to have this hammer for many years. The reality is concrete is you can lose any tool at any time to damage, abuse, or literally dropping it into a wall being filled with concrete. But as silly as sounds I look forward to trying to wear out a hammer that should last me forever. And I hope I can hang on to the hammer long enough to admire it’s patina.
If you don't lose it, that Estwing might retire with you, they're great hammers. I've got a Stanley 20oz which isn't made anymore, if anything ever happens to it, it'll be replaced by an Estwing.
I’m in the same boat as you, can’t justify the expense of titanium. Now that I’m retired, i really can’t justify it. My 20 oz estwing has been faithfully at my side almost the whole time and i’ll probably have it for the rest of my life. I do count my blessings that i’ve never had to deal with the arm problems that plague so many, even in my youth when spending lots of time nailing strapping on ceilings by hand. I don’t know who invented nailers but i hope he’s filthy rich, he deserves it.
I went from a 25oz estwing on a hickory handle to a stiletto about a decade ago when I started to get tennis elbow and haven't looked back. I don't regularly swing a hammer anymore but I am framing my own house right now, and I just decided to get a Martinez M1 solely because I feel like I'm going to rip the head off my stiletto pulling nails out of bracing, and I've almost thrown the thing across the jobsite multiple times wearing gloves (it's below freezing), so extra grip is needed. The milling on my stiletto is completely gone - it's a smooth face and has been for a long time. Ultimately, I was skeptical of the newfangled titanium hammer back then, which is why I took so long to adopt it, but it was a great decision that I don't regret.
Spinal injuries from a car rollover back in '96, been using a stilleto hammer for a few years now, one of the best purchases I've made, couldn't do any overhead work otherwise.
Got a titanium dalluge 13 years ago, never looked back. I have a steel version I had for several years before getting the titanium version. Night and day difference.
I hear you , I was raised with a Plumb rigaxe and Plumb fiberglass rip claw
Absolutely
As a framer/carpenter for the last 40 years i have always chased the weight of a tool, started with a 28 oz estwing for all day hand drives. When I could afford a framing gun droped down to a 19 oz blue max with a wood handle. I currently us a 12 oz Stiletto its more of a tap stick. Years ago I ditched the skil 77"boat anchor" for the milwaukee left hand tilt lock it was half the weight. I parked my leather OXYS for nylon bags saved several pounds, I run the Badger trimmers great bags and lite. Cordless saws are getting heavy so I will still run a cord if I can. The old body is not what it used to be, but I'm still out there with the young guys, watching them see who can carry the most studs and doing what I love building stuff!
Use to love my 28oz when framing walls on the ground. The extra weight would drive the nails with ease. Then the gas powered nail guns hit the scene and that was pretty much all we used when framing. It was just so much faster and if you were doing piece work that meant more money.
I picked one up recently from Home Depot for $90. I’m just a DIYer but couldn’t resist it for that price
In 1995 I bought a Hart 25 ounce California Framer. I loved the feel and the look of.the axe-shaped handle. After that, I never bought a straight-handled hammer again. They're just not as accurate, not as easy to swing, nor as effective at driving nails.
I switched to a Vaughn 19 ounce framer in the summer of 2000. Its my favorite hammer, as such a tool of course becomes after decades of use. I use it every day, and I absolutely love it.
But my son says the Stiletto actually drives nails BETTER than a steel hammer, and nowadays I have pain in my thumbs, so I'm seriously considering getting one. Your video might have been just the final push.
Get one! I used a 19 oz. California framer for years and going titanium made my swing more accurate and harder hitting with less body wear.
@W1ldt1m I did, in fact, spend $130 on a new Stiletto 14 oz framer. First thing I noticed was how the waffles immediately became smashed flat when I struck my cats catspaw. Very soft face. But the jury is still deliberating.
Yea titanium is softer than steel and the waffles don’t last as long. I’ve known guys to recut them with a grinder but I never bothered didn’t seem to make much difference once your old and hit square.
@W1ldt1m the hammer in the thumbnail looked like it has a steel face.
Great hammer, sadly I lost mine and I went onto a titanium 16oz Vaughan dalluge both brilliant.
Nice.
I got the stiletto ti bone 3 a couple years back I really loved it and I doubt I would ever replace it, then I heard about Martinez hammers and it just made sense. If a claw broke off on my hammer it’s pretty much done. Or if the grip brakes there’s no replacement. But with Martinez hammers you get replacement grips and heads and you can pick and choose the head and colors, I would recommend going with Martinez hammers titanium but with replacement parts
I love my martinez m1. I have tennis elbow and setting concrete anchors was really hurting. Haven't felt that twinge in my elbow since I picked up the martinez.
I think the worries about Stiletto durability are silly and I suspect they are a combination of Martinez marketing and forum fan boy tool fetish nonsense. I have had the Stiletto full-size Tibone for about five years as a framing subcontractor as well as for a good deal of roofing (especially tearoff) and demo. I have beat the living heck out of it and used it for everything so that others have winced at my risking a $300 hammer to demolish walls and concrete and steel and rock and rip off roofing shingles and pound in ten million roofing staples and dig holes in frozen ground. And still I haven't caused the slightest functional damage to the hammer. The original waffle head is still going strong, haven't chipped the claw or bent anything and the rubber handle is worn smooth but still works great. The magnetic nail slot goes out of alignment about once a year, and it just tap it back with a nail set and a second hammer like a castle nut on a motorcycle shock. I suppose Martinez is about equivalent with Stiletto to the extent it matches its design, but I don't see it as superior and would question whether any changes Martinez made to the original Tibone design is an actual improvement, or just a gimmick introduced in place of some patented feature they are not allowed to reproduce. Stiletto got it right the first time and usually the company owns the design not the engineer.
@zacharyroyce not knocking the stiletto, 99% of users will never wear it out. I've seen a couple worn out stilleto claws. If you've used it that much I think it's more than paid for itself.
What I mainly liked was the what if? If I baker a claw with concrete I can just buy a head and not a whole stiletto and the ability to change grips to your liking is grate. I love my stiletto but If I had to buy another one I would pick Martinez.
@@nutoriousclown4107 It looks to me that the Martinez head is all steel, which would make it heavier than Stiletto Ti-bone, which has a titanium head with a ~1/4-inch-thick steel hammer tip. I wonder if the head would become sloppy after years of hammering on those threads, and I wonder if that lip where the head sticks up proud over the V-notch in the handle would interfere with using the V-notch to scoop up your 1/4"-proud nail heads (which is how you use the V-notch to best advantage, like when you've levered apart sistered boards or pulled off wall braces and you have to pound out a bunch of nails--one little tap does it per nail---the same applies to pulling many nails with a catspaw---just start em all real fast and then pling em out like bullet casings all at once.)
I used a...28oz? Stanley Fatmax wood handled framing hammer for years. I also had a Stiletto finish hammer for finer work. The heavier steel head framing hammer served me so well for most of my work, but the titanium head Stiletto became quite important.
The right tool for the right job. That's what's most important.
I was never a production carpenter, but i have but I have built on 2 room additions to my house. I used a 20 oz. flat faced Vaughan the entire time. I cannot foresee the need for me to buy a $150 Titanium hammer. But were I to be swinging a hammer 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for production, I would be happy to spend that money, and more, just to save my elbow and shoulder from repetitive motion damage and shock. Thanks for the video. Jon
I just bought a stilleto hammer and I liked the weight, but the factory handle was not well suited for my hand. I put in a mile of fence staples which normally doesn't bother me much, but that handle made my had so sore that I couldn't use it the next couple of days. I think if I shave the handle down it will be a winner.
Vaughn 23 ounce with a fat head and curvy wood handle for power called the California Framer. It started as a waffle head but after 20 years is now like a smooth. For lighter work or overhead stuff I used a 19 ounce straight wood handled hammer with a semi smooth face that had sort of a texture like 180 grit sandpaper until a laborer used it to pry something and broke it the handle. After that I did everything with my Framer. For delicate work I used my grandpa's 16 ounce straight claw hammer that I restored. I get a good feeling every time I use it because I remember him and the time he spent with me when I was little. Same when I use my Dad's block plane.
Yes
I use a 23oz Vaughn for framing, as I gave up on the 28oz when I switched from framing floors to general carpentry.
With my elbow in the shape it is now, a lighter hammer is starting to be more appealing. I provide for my family with a hammer, and I want to keep them in good shape; anything that keeps me sharp keeps them fed.