Great video. Reminds me of the trips to Sears shopping with the wife and kids many moons ago. My usual announcement as we entered was, "when your done you can find me over by the hammers"!
@cyh6092 I was working carpentry in San Diego in 1977 I'm thinking around 78-79 I'd see fellas sporting a new waffle hammer. I remember a good carpenter Jogensen brought one down from LA or good William D. Ludwig I do believe had some in his tools, back then Bill had been working carpentry for near as long as I have now. Bill is 90 something yrs old now rougher shape but I'm sure Bill can still swing a hammer, aka Lud the Stud. Or old dad. Gotta love that great guy. BTW my father was a shop teacher among other things @ U of Washington
I could not care less about weird american hammers. But what is refreshingly nice: no affiliations links, no sponsorship just the intension to give some decent advice. Nice.
I love my stiletto but you know what I love more? Is someone who uses the phrase "I could NOT care less" correctly. It bugs the shit out of me when someone says, "I could care less."
Men let me tell you Dave, every time you say "see you soon" at the end of the video it feels like a good old friend says it, thats what makes your videos special. The feeling that you are a good old friend that tells you a story until he sees you next time. Im excited for the cabin videos on this property. All the best, greetings from bavaria, germany.
Thanks Dave! You are one of a very few people that hold the hammer correctly. When you swing a hammer you hold the handle at the end to maximize the swing of the hammer. All the Best to you and your family.
Haha! I volunteer every week with Habitat for Humanity and I have to constantly correct many of the volunteers who are holding the hammer practically right up at the head. They tap away at the nails as we are framing - what I call 'woodpeckering'. Harbor Freight has these little handled hammers -like 5 or 6 inches and I am tempted to bring one and as a joke say, "Oh wait, you have the wrong hammer and hand them one of the small ones." But, I need to be encouraging and positive and not joke about them. I do try to demonstrate the proper grip and placement and show them how much easier it is to let the weight of the head do the work for you.
@@Pete_R63 Its almost as if knowledge needs to be passed down through demonstration. I wouldn't know anything about that though. When my Ma fire me from the womb, I landed directly into a pair of steel toes, and have been a GC ever since.
I haven't hammered a nail in 4 years but I will again soon. I am finally putting in the final cabinet and last of the trim to finish the bathroom I was working on when the cancer hit me. After that I am out of the remodeling business. I have the hammers I bought at garage sales over the years, they'll get me through this last job. Still I appreciate that you took the time to show us some new kit and how it work. Thanks
Great video. Got a 14 oz Stiletto years ago and really like it. A great lesser known model is the Stiletto 12 oz with smooth face. Makes a great all rounder, can do light framing and works great as a finish hammer.
I’m a general contractor and I would say for the homeowner get the harbor freight. For a contractor spend the extra money on the stiletto. Stiletto’s customer service is top notch. One of my employees had a stiletto 16oz titanium and it cracked at the eye. Stiletto overnighted him a replacement hammer the same day at their cost. Not sure of Harbor Freight could match that.
@@dylano7242 Its become a serious problem. Don't they know that Americans only want either cheap garbage or to pay 10x the cost for a cool logo and the street cred?
My basement and garage are basically a Harbor Freight. It used to be when they sent out those 24 page ads every 2 weeks, I could find something (or a lot of things) I own on almost every page. Actually, what brought me to your channel originally and got me subbed was your review of the Harbor Freight piece for mounting and removing tires from rims.
Harbor Freight has really raised their game over the last several years. I have the Stiletto titanium framer you show here, and have swung it for projects for 20 years. If Harbor Freight had offered their hammer 20 years ago, I’d have bought it.
I was taught in trade school by our concrete forms instructor that the handle vibration is what is hard on your body. The steel handle, while being near indestructible, transfers the most vibration. The wood handle transfered less vibration to your body. The fiberglass handle transfers the least vibration. I am not sure if the titanium handle has any bearing on vibration. I always just thought people liked it more because it was lighter.
I personally like a 16oz straightclawed steel Estwing hammer. The handle is also steel, and the whole thing is one solid piece. It has a rubber grip that's supposed to be shock absorbing, though I couldn't tell you how well that works because I haven't used anything similar to compare it to. I've done every bit of construction work with that hammer for the past 3 years. Nailed up tons of electrical boxes with it, tacked in countless cable staples, framed a deer stand or two, built a couple pieces of furniture, and probably some more stuff I'm forgetting right now. I think I paid like $15 for it at the local hardware store. It might not be the best for specific jobs, but if you're only going to buy one hammer it wouldn't be a bad choice.
I have a hammer I’ve had for probably 35 years. It was a cheap hammer when I bought it but managed to not loose it. I call it lightning… never strikes twice in the same place!
My Stiletto is a waffle and came with a rubber covered handle that I loved but is now about spent. If the HF one comes in a smooth face I will probably get one. Love the Stiletto.
Thanks for the video Dave ! You're always a source of practical advice. I still like my 25 oz. California Framing Hammer from Harbor Freight. I see that they're on sale today for $8 which is 20% off the usual $10.
Unfortunately in today's world, if you look at most industries that way you end up either paying way too much or buying a piece of junk from a company that some union caused problems in trying to remain relevant. There's a handful of things where "made in America" is still a selling point, but there's also a reason why most of the stuff you see at the store is made oversees. Made American products competitive again.
Interesting comparison, Dave, and you've pointed something I've always said about "Chinatown" (Harbor Freight). IF you know your tools and you know what you're shopping for, Harbor Freight has some excellent quality stuff. I've used Titanium hammers and I like them. Enough to spend the money? Well, if I was 25 again instead of 77, I'd get the Titanium. At my age, I'd never pay for it. I've swung the same, 16-ounce fiberglass hammer for half a century, so you could say I've become used to the way it swings. Give me those 52 years back, and I'll get a different hammer.
Funny Dave I started framing in the 70's and I used a 32oz Vaughn rig axe and sometime a 22oz plumb both with waffle heads. We were one hit wonders back in the day even at 68 I can still drive nails with the best of them. But I'll feel the pain for a few days now lol. Anything under 22 Oz we called tac hammers lol!
I'm a homeowner in my late 20s. Found a rusted hammer with a broken handle in a buddy's uncle's construction trailer in a bucket full of broken tools. Asked hey can I have this? He goes 'a broken hammer? Yea its yours.' It was a USA made 21 ounce California framer that had been in that bucket for two decades. Put a beautiful handle on it from Beaver Tooth handles.
I’ve used a 20oz Vaughan my whole construction career but I have noticed as age has crept in a 16 oz is easier to swing. I agree as we get older weight,comfort and price are all factors.🙂Good video 👍
LOL! ... "You could just beat it on a rock to take the pattern off the face of it." That's how I adjust all my tools, don't 'cha know? Nice comparison, Dave :) Later!
As for harbor freight tools I use the Hercules brand 20 volt tool line every day for my work. It handles the punishment I deal it very very well. The warranty is why I choose Hercules
Great breakdown. I've owned plenty of harbor freight tools, but I would be concerned with buying a $60 harbor freight premium hammer. 30% is quite a discount, but for a "premium" item like a titanium hammer, I would just save up for the "real" thing. Take one for the team and do a full durability/damage test --smash them up, cut them up, scratch them. Anything to compare quality of metal
You would have to do a lot of hammering daily to notice these differences so you must know your stuff. I tend to use a hammer a lot and then it is shelved until the next project. Estwing has suited me very well for being comfortable, durable, and up to the task. The tool does not always get used correctly cuz it passes thru many hands but it stands up. I’m not sure I could say that about any wooden handled hammer. The Menonite in my area seem to seek out what they prefer with the price being a close second deciding factor.
Thanks dave for the comparison, and the style of hammer. Think I'll stick with my old trusty estwing. I've never broken the handle and when I was younger I used it for a machete 😂
I switched from a conventional 8lb splitting maul to one of the modern mauls (Fiskers brand is what I got) which rely more on velocity and head design than just sheer mass. The amount of wood I can split before I'm tired and sore is much greater with the lighter maul. I suspect it would be exactly the same with these titanium hammers, so I may need to pick one up and see.
I’ve had my stilletto for 25 years. I love it and It’s my favorite tool. I’m not even a contractor anymore I’ve been retired from that for 20 years. I’m a woodworker now/guitar builder. Mine has the dog leg handle and it has such a great feel. I think you need to be very experienced to get the true benefit out of the titanium hammer. It’s lighter weight so it’s not gonna drive the nail in as well but if you use the speed, finesse and leverage… grip it down really low you can really snap the nails in. The only thing I don’t like is the ringing sound bothers my ears.
Even $60 is more than I can imagine me needing to spend on a tool as simple as a hammer, but I bet come black Friday that hammer will be closer to 45 than 60. Then I'll probably grab one. Thanks for the informative video.
I love Ti, but I don't think I want a lighter hammer. We use a 4# hammer at work, because the 3# takes too much swinging. And I keep a 5.5# on a longer handle for really pushing on the steel. I'm setting pins (rebar) for survey staking, and survey stakes. My ancient framing hammer is from one of the box stores when the still sold a lot of stuff with good handles. I like wood and leather, all that rubber and fiberglass never feels right. Hickory handle snob I might be. Thanks for the video, I don't mind better deals on similar equipment and totally get the handle reshaping thing. I use draw knives, rasps, and scrapers to reshape 'em or fit 'em (don't have belt sander). I'll be hanging more tin than putting up boards. Titanium bottle opener saves me some effort carrying it around all day. 🤣
I was asking about hammers the other day, Dave. That Stilleto in the UK comes in at £151.00. That's $116.00 with p&p. I'm still looking at my needs as I'm not building cabins but more household chores.
I’ve been swinging the 14oz. Prototype Stiletto that Mark Martinez gave me back in ‘99, and I still use my 21oz. Hart Strongback, too. I can drive a sinker with on set and 2 strikes to sink it with either hammer. It takes practice, but there is really no difference. I use my Hart Strongback more for demolition and the Stiletto for carpentry. Why? Because I love both hammers and I’ve had them for 27 and 25 years respectively. I have always used wood handle hammers. Anything but wood will tear up your arms, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands, because nothing absorbs shock like wood.
Great info Dave, just wondering just how many hammers do you own ? I’m a women but to me a hammer is a hammer. I’m sure all the guys are happy with your input on them. 😊
The HF one could get a dress up with a flap wheel on the angle grinder to get rid of that sharp crosshatching. Personally I use an old Powr Kraft 16 oz that I used as a teen 50 years ago. I have various models hanging in the garage as well as one or two in the truck and some in the house. They are fine for the non professional although they were used by the pros for ages. You can never have to many hammers. Buy a decent old one at a farm auction or garage sale. Scatter them everywhere you might need one. Even better get one with a bad wooden handle and learn to install a new handle as well as fitting it to your hand. If you have a wife that would use one help her fit one to her hand.
Harbor freight isn’t the same company they used to be. They are producing some quality tools now. Just look at the Hercules stuff. There some pretty influential people making the switch because of price and warranty. I have started collecting tools; when I can justify something higher end, I will go that way, but if there is no cause, I will not waste the money. It has led my collection to be very diverse and practical.
After being a paratrooper for 8 years and a plumber for 15 years, Absolutely anything that saves wear on the body is worth the $. If the Amish spend money on it that tells me it's worth it, if your going to swing one on a daily basis. I still use my Vaugn from 20 years ago same handle and we plumbers abuse our hammer handles. It doubles as a pry bar regularly.
Amazing when you gto the hardware store or big box and the amount of hammers for sale and how little we use them since the advent of the nail gun ànd the cordless drill!! With so many available second hand,it makes you wander who is buying all these hammers ?? I guess we americans are suckers for new flashy features!!
I hate it when companies (not just harbor frieght) undercut their competition by a small margin and try to use that as their selling point. There's an audio company named Behringer that makes not-quite-knockoffs of well known brands like Korg, and undercuts them by $30 or $40. I would rather buy a Korg just on the principle. But boy do I love a good deal on tools lol!
When it comes to tools, I am in the group of if it's a tool your going to use often or rely on for use over time. Buy quality and buy once. If it's a one and done tool, buy cheap.
Speaking of waffle prints, years ago I knew a builder who hired two of his framers to build a very expensive redwood deck. When finished he had 1500 sq ft of waffle prints on every galvanized finish nail. Oops!
That waffle head, though. I have a feeling I'd buy a Doyle, hate the waffle, and then buy a Stiletto. I'd spend a total of 160 bucks instead of sucking it up and spending the $100 the first time.
![일상 속 기분 좋음 [Proto disco meme]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DwmEIaZ7XGQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video. Reminds me of the trips to Sears shopping with the wife and kids many moons ago. My usual announcement as we entered was, "when your done you can find me over by the hammers"!
Great review Dave, I appreciate your approach and how you explain things. I love watching your videos. You’re a down to earth sensible guy. 👍🏻👍🏻
Two videos in one week! My lucky week!!
47yrs carpenter good evaluation of hammer great description
I don't recall seeing waffle faced hammers decades ago, when did waffle hammers come around?
@cyh6092 I was working carpentry in San Diego in 1977 I'm thinking around 78-79 I'd see fellas sporting a new waffle hammer. I remember a good carpenter Jogensen brought one down from LA or good William D. Ludwig I do believe had some in his tools, back then Bill had been working carpentry for near as long as I have now. Bill is 90 something yrs old now rougher shape but I'm sure Bill can still swing a hammer, aka Lud the Stud. Or old dad. Gotta love that great guy. BTW my father was a shop teacher among other things @ U of Washington
"A waffle on your wall" haha!
Great video as always Thanks for the tips
THANK YOU! I have never ghought about sanding down the handle to fit my hand!! Brilliant!
I could not care less about weird american hammers. But what is refreshingly nice: no affiliations links, no sponsorship just the intension to give some decent advice. Nice.
I love my stiletto but you know what I love more? Is someone who uses the phrase "I could NOT care less" correctly. It bugs the shit out of me when someone says, "I could care less."
@@travisk5589 i would love to know how to use it correctly. Greetings from Germany
@@JanHansyou used it correctly!
Your videos are just great! Very informative, entertaining and give me such an inner peace. Thanks Dave
Well why not watch a hammer comparison video!
Men let me tell you Dave, every time you say "see you soon" at the end of the video it feels like a good old friend says it, thats what makes your videos special. The feeling that you are a good old friend that tells you a story until he sees you next time.
Im excited for the cabin videos on this property. All the best, greetings from bavaria, germany.
Thanks
Great information! Can't wait to see more about that abandoned cabin! That's going to be an awesome project!
Thanks Dave! You are one of a very few people that hold the hammer correctly. When you swing a hammer you hold the handle at the end to maximize the swing of the hammer. All the Best to you and your family.
Haha! I volunteer every week with Habitat for Humanity and I have to constantly correct many of the volunteers who are holding the hammer practically right up at the head. They tap away at the nails as we are framing - what I call 'woodpeckering'. Harbor Freight has these little handled hammers -like 5 or 6 inches and I am tempted to bring one and as a joke say, "Oh wait, you have the wrong hammer and hand them one of the small ones." But, I need to be encouraging and positive and not joke about them. I do try to demonstrate the proper grip and placement and show them how much easier it is to let the weight of the head do the work for you.
"You know what grinds my gears? They way these youngins hold onto their framing hammers. Sickening. Who wants to listen to some AM radio?"
@@Pete_R63 Its almost as if knowledge needs to be passed down through demonstration. I wouldn't know anything about that though. When my Ma fire me from the womb, I landed directly into a pair of steel toes, and have been a GC ever since.
bless you man honest reviews , thank you for your work , you inspire people to build affordable cabins all over the world
I haven't hammered a nail in 4 years but I will again soon. I am finally putting in the final cabinet and last of the trim to finish the bathroom I was working on when the cancer hit me. After that I am out of the remodeling business. I have the hammers I bought at garage sales over the years, they'll get me through this last job. Still I appreciate that you took the time to show us some new kit and how it work. Thanks
Great video. Got a 14 oz Stiletto years ago and really like it. A great lesser known model is the Stiletto 12 oz with smooth face. Makes a great all rounder, can do light framing and works great as a finish hammer.
I really appreciate the video and content. We are about to build a cabin on 62 acres in middle of nowhere PA.
Once again, thanks, Dave! God bless you and your family! ❤
One of the best and usefully comparison videos I've seen in a while. Great Job!!!
I’m a general contractor and I would say for the homeowner get the harbor freight. For a contractor spend the extra money on the stiletto. Stiletto’s customer service is top notch. One of my employees had a stiletto 16oz titanium and it cracked at the eye. Stiletto overnighted him a replacement hammer the same day at their cost. Not sure of Harbor Freight could match that.
Thanks Dave, always a great day when you drop a video.
One of those 25% coupons would be a plus lol
havent seen one of those in a while
Harbor freight coupons almost nothing can be used with them now, only on their cheap generic brands not on higher name brands.
@@dylano7242 Its become a serious problem. Don't they know that Americans only want either cheap garbage or to pay 10x the cost for a cool logo and the street cred?
@@cardrivingdudeThat’s why they come up with all those fake brands to label their products
3:17- 50 cent piece! 😂
My Grandfather & Dad would always give me grief when I would make them as a kid! 😂😂😂
My basement and garage are basically a Harbor Freight. It used to be when they sent out those 24 page ads every 2 weeks, I could find something (or a lot of things) I own on almost every page. Actually, what brought me to your channel originally and got me subbed was your review of the Harbor Freight piece for mounting and removing tires from rims.
You were born to tell stories. Yes you are a builder and nature person but I think you could describe worm racing and make it sound interesting!❤
Harbor Freight has really raised their game over the last several years. I have the Stiletto titanium framer you show here, and have swung it for projects for 20 years. If Harbor Freight had offered their hammer 20 years ago, I’d have bought it.
Always enjoy watching your videos.
Hurray!
A new post from Dave!
Don't know why your channel is so interesting but it is.
I was taught in trade school by our concrete forms instructor that the handle vibration is what is hard on your body. The steel handle, while being near indestructible, transfers the most vibration. The wood handle transfered less vibration to your body. The fiberglass handle transfers the least vibration. I am not sure if the titanium handle has any bearing on vibration. I always just thought people liked it more because it was lighter.
Good afternoon Dave 🤗 very helpful tips when wanting a new Hammer 🔨
Great review Dave. Thanks for curing my curiosity! I'm going to stick to my antique Pexto.
I personally like a 16oz straightclawed steel Estwing hammer. The handle is also steel, and the whole thing is one solid piece. It has a rubber grip that's supposed to be shock absorbing, though I couldn't tell you how well that works because I haven't used anything similar to compare it to. I've done every bit of construction work with that hammer for the past 3 years. Nailed up tons of electrical boxes with it, tacked in countless cable staples, framed a deer stand or two, built a couple pieces of furniture, and probably some more stuff I'm forgetting right now. I think I paid like $15 for it at the local hardware store. It might not be the best for specific jobs, but if you're only going to buy one hammer it wouldn't be a bad choice.
As always, good honest strait forward advice.
Good video Dave!
I’ve been looking for a Titanium hammer, thanks for the heads up 👍👍
Good to see videos more often lately
I have a hammer I’ve had for probably 35 years. It was a cheap hammer when I bought it but managed to not loose it. I call it lightning… never strikes twice in the same place!
My Stiletto is a waffle and came with a rubber covered handle that I loved but is now about spent. If the HF one comes in a smooth face I will probably get one. Love the Stiletto.
Thanks for the video Dave ! You're always a source of practical advice. I still like my 25 oz. California Framing Hammer from Harbor Freight. I see that they're on sale today for $8 which is 20% off the usual $10.
I'll take the one that supports American workers.
Unfortunately in today's world, if you look at most industries that way you end up either paying way too much or buying a piece of junk from a company that some union caused problems in trying to remain relevant. There's a handful of things where "made in America" is still a selling point, but there's also a reason why most of the stuff you see at the store is made oversees. Made American products competitive again.
Harbor Freight employs more Americans than Stiletto. How does one choose?
@@lanedexter6303 Cashier jobs
@@hochhaul That’s true. I have seen very few American made products in HF (but a FEW, so one can hope).
Interesting comparison, Dave, and you've pointed something I've always said about "Chinatown" (Harbor Freight). IF you know your tools and you know what you're shopping for, Harbor Freight has some excellent quality stuff. I've used Titanium hammers and I like them. Enough to spend the money? Well, if I was 25 again instead of 77, I'd get the Titanium. At my age, I'd never pay for it. I've swung the same, 16-ounce fiberglass hammer for half a century, so you could say I've become used to the way it swings. Give me those 52 years back, and I'll get a different hammer.
Those Hammers are awesome especially with the way it holds the nail for you. I would get both of them and keep the cheaper one as a backup.
Funny Dave I started framing in the 70's and I used a 32oz Vaughn rig axe and sometime a 22oz plumb both with waffle heads. We were one hit wonders back in the day even at 68 I can still drive nails with the best of them. But I'll feel the pain for a few days now lol. Anything under 22 Oz we called tac hammers lol!
Always teaching us something useful!! 👍
I'm a homeowner in my late 20s. Found a rusted hammer with a broken handle in a buddy's uncle's construction trailer in a bucket full of broken tools.
Asked hey can I have this? He goes 'a broken hammer? Yea its yours.'
It was a USA made 21 ounce California framer that had been in that bucket for two decades. Put a beautiful handle on it from Beaver Tooth handles.
I'm a framing nailer guy these days but I would definitely pick one of those up at that price.
Woah, a tool review without affiliate links in the description? Talk about radical!
I’ve used a 20oz Vaughan my whole construction career but I have noticed as age has crept in a 16 oz is easier to swing. I agree as we get older weight,comfort and price are all factors.🙂Good video 👍
25 years, same hammer. 25 seconds into the video pretty much everything that the viewer needed to know was already stated, loud and clear.
LOL! ... "You could just beat it on a rock to take the pattern off the face of it." That's how I adjust all my tools, don't 'cha know? Nice comparison, Dave :) Later!
As for harbor freight tools I use the Hercules brand 20 volt tool line every day for my work. It handles the punishment I deal it very very well. The warranty is why I choose Hercules
Great breakdown. I've owned plenty of harbor freight tools, but I would be concerned with buying a $60 harbor freight premium hammer. 30% is quite a discount, but for a "premium" item like a titanium hammer, I would just save up for the "real" thing. Take one for the team and do a full durability/damage test --smash them up, cut them up, scratch them. Anything to compare quality of metal
Today I got a lesson on hammers that I didn’t know I needed
You would have to do a lot of hammering daily to notice these differences so you must know your stuff. I tend to use a hammer a lot and then it is shelved until the next project. Estwing has suited me very well for being comfortable, durable, and up to the task. The tool does not always get used correctly cuz it passes thru many hands but it stands up. I’m not sure I could say that about any wooden handled hammer. The Menonite in my area seem to seek out what they prefer with the price being a close second deciding factor.
I bought my titanium framing hammer at a yard sale for $8.00. I love it.
Interesting video,Dave. I'm a bit of a tight wad,I would probably go with the Harbor Freight hammer.
Thanks dave for the comparison, and the style of hammer. Think I'll stick with my old trusty estwing. I've never broken the handle and when I was younger I used it for a machete 😂
I switched from a conventional 8lb splitting maul to one of the modern mauls (Fiskers brand is what I got) which rely more on velocity and head design than just sheer mass. The amount of wood I can split before I'm tired and sore is much greater with the lighter maul. I suspect it would be exactly the same with these titanium hammers, so I may need to pick one up and see.
I’ve had my stilletto for 25 years. I love it and It’s my favorite tool. I’m not even a contractor anymore I’ve been retired from that for 20 years. I’m a woodworker now/guitar builder. Mine has the dog leg handle and it has such a great feel. I think you need to be very experienced to get the true benefit out of the titanium hammer. It’s lighter weight so it’s not gonna drive the nail in as well but if you use the speed, finesse and leverage… grip it down really low you can really snap the nails in. The only thing I don’t like is the ringing sound bothers my ears.
Even $60 is more than I can imagine me needing to spend on a tool as simple as a hammer, but I bet come black Friday that hammer will be closer to 45 than 60. Then I'll probably grab one. Thanks for the informative video.
Try buying a nice hammer. Its worth it. Especially it you use it to make money or save money.
Thank you so much for teaching and sharing Brother 😊❤
For comparison, Larry Haun swung a Hart 21oz. What a legend.
Now review the DOYLE 16 oz. Steel Nailing Hammer from Harbor freight.
Great video, thanks Dave
16oz estwing is my go to. Same one for 26 years
Thank you for the commentary.
As a full-time carpenter I love my stiletto but for the price you can't go wrong only they need to make a smooth face
Great content, very helpful information.
I love Ti, but I don't think I want a lighter hammer. We use a 4# hammer at work, because the 3# takes too much swinging. And I keep a 5.5# on a longer handle for really pushing on the steel. I'm setting pins (rebar) for survey staking, and survey stakes. My ancient framing hammer is from one of the box stores when the still sold a lot of stuff with good handles. I like wood and leather, all that rubber and fiberglass never feels right. Hickory handle snob I might be.
Thanks for the video, I don't mind better deals on similar equipment and totally get the handle reshaping thing. I use draw knives, rasps, and scrapers to reshape 'em or fit 'em (don't have belt sander). I'll be hanging more tin than putting up boards.
Titanium bottle opener saves me some effort carrying it around all day. 🤣
I was asking about hammers the other day, Dave. That Stilleto in the UK comes in at £151.00. That's $116.00 with p&p. I'm still looking at my needs as I'm not building cabins but more household chores.
I use the 21 oz. East wing and I'm pretty happy with it. It's a solid metal hammer though so it's pretty heavy or the balance is different I think .
I’ve been swinging the 14oz. Prototype Stiletto that Mark Martinez gave me back in ‘99, and I still use my 21oz. Hart Strongback, too. I can drive a sinker with on set and 2 strikes to sink it with either hammer. It takes practice, but there is really no difference.
I use my Hart Strongback more for demolition and the Stiletto for carpentry. Why? Because I love both hammers and I’ve had them for 27 and 25 years respectively. I have always used wood handle hammers. Anything but wood will tear up your arms, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands, because nothing absorbs shock like wood.
Great info Dave, just wondering just how many hammers do you own ? I’m a women but to me a hammer is a hammer. I’m sure all the guys are happy with your input on them. 😊
Doctor Dave ! Sir , I love to watch your videos and Brooke also THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA... PS.. Only looking about the doctor comment......
The HF one could get a dress up with a flap wheel on the angle grinder to get rid of that sharp crosshatching. Personally I use an old Powr Kraft 16 oz that I used as a teen 50 years ago. I have various models hanging in the garage as well as one or two in the truck and some in the house. They are fine for the non professional although they were used by the pros for ages. You can never have to many hammers. Buy a decent old one at a farm auction or garage sale. Scatter them everywhere you might need one. Even better get one with a bad wooden handle and learn to install a new handle as well as fitting it to your hand. If you have a wife that would use one help her fit one to her hand.
Where is each hammer made? That could have a motivational effect for some when purchasing either hammer.
Ergonomical = Ergonomic + Economical
I like it!
Hi love your videos keep it up
Easting is the standard here
Great review Dave!! 🐾🙏🏻✌🏻
This might be a stupid question. What are the advantages of nails aside from screws besides cost?
Thanks for another great video Dave! I assume the HF is made in China; where is the Stiletto made?
Harbor freight isn’t the same company they used to be. They are producing some quality tools now. Just look at the Hercules stuff. There some pretty influential people making the switch because of price and warranty.
I have started collecting tools; when I can justify something higher end, I will go that way, but if there is no cause, I will not waste the money. It has led my collection to be very diverse and practical.
After being a paratrooper for 8 years and a plumber for 15 years, Absolutely anything that saves wear on the body is worth the $. If the Amish spend money on it that tells me it's worth it, if your going to swing one on a daily basis. I still use my Vaugn from 20 years ago same handle and we plumbers abuse our hammer handles. It doubles as a pry bar regularly.
Amazing when you gto the hardware store or big box and the amount of hammers for sale and how little we use them since the advent of the nail gun ànd the cordless drill!! With so many available second hand,it makes you wander who is buying all these hammers ?? I guess we americans are suckers for new flashy features!!
Awesome review
I hate it when companies (not just harbor frieght) undercut their competition by a small margin and try to use that as their selling point.
There's an audio company named Behringer that makes not-quite-knockoffs of well known brands like Korg, and undercuts them by $30 or $40. I would rather buy a Korg just on the principle.
But boy do I love a good deal on tools lol!
When it comes to tools, I am in the group of if it's a tool your going to use often or rely on for use over time. Buy quality and buy once.
If it's a one and done tool, buy cheap.
I like my old rubber cushion metal spiker framing hammer, yeah I know, I know it is nice I'm just stuck.
Estwing. That's the only hammers I buy. ;)
Keep doing this.
My Harbor Freight tool kit came with a hammer.
Great video !! Thank you
It’s a pretty hammer
Buy tools that make you proud of the work you do
Most the Amish I have been around have got a lot of money I know a couple that used to come to the horse show they would have suitcases of cash lol
I haver a German hammer which i love! Best tools you can get
Speaking of waffle prints, years ago I knew a builder who hired two of his framers to build a very expensive redwood deck. When finished he had 1500 sq ft of waffle prints on every galvanized finish nail. Oops!
Just put a little syrup on that waffle design you get and its just yummy.
That waffle head, though. I have a feeling I'd buy a Doyle, hate the waffle, and then buy a Stiletto. I'd spend a total of 160 bucks instead of sucking it up and spending the $100 the first time.
I’d definitely go for the Harbor Freight one because anyone who names a hammer after high heel shoes is… well you know.😅
LOL
Woah cool I want one!