I always welcome an opportunity to review my tool box. Knowing I would soon be undertaking on a large timber building project, I took time to check through my equipment and see if anything needed up dating. All was looking fine until I came to my hammer, this veteran of many a years hard service was looking tired and beaten. And considering it had come free with a tub of nails, I think it had served well.
So a new hammer was needed. I don't know why it is, but I hold hammers in such low esteem. I'm always happy to had over an unreasonabley large amount of money for a chisel, saw or bless them a new plane. But for some reason I've never felt the same excitement for the humble hammer. To be fair its not a tool that I reach for that often, and then it's only to tap home a wall fixing, or a packing wedge. However this new venture was going to call for some serious framing work, so I decided to treat myself to a hammer with a bit of credibility, that would hopefully ignite a new respect and passion for striking tools.
Part of the pleasure of purchasing a new tool for me is in the research that has to be done. I'm not someone who can just pop into a hardwear shop and pick up the first example I see, no I like to spend hours reading reviews and cross referenceing other opinions. Online woodworking forums and blogs (I would say that) are great for this sort of thing.
After much research one name stood out above all others, and that was Estwing, in particular the Estwing 16oz leather handle framer. Not one to go againsted public opinion I promptly placed an order for this hammer, and I have to admit the new tool buzz was kicking in.
When it arrived my first impression was, how can I hit anything with this, and then casually throw it in my tool box after? For the Estwing is truly a thing of beauty. It has the grace and style of an object that has be engineered to preform its task with no pretentions. Pick up a new Estwing and compare with one from the sixty's, there is no difference. This is because this design works and needs no refinement.
Estwing was founded by Swedish immigrant Ernest O. Estwing in 1923. The family run business, which is still based in Rockford Illinois, produces a large range of specialist striking tools.
Using the Estwing framer you soon become aware just why its the choice of many a woodworker. The leather handle, which covers the hammers body, cast from single piece of tool steel, moulds to your grip and doesn't slip when wet from rain or when your working up a sweat. The hammers balance is perfect as it delivers all of its 16oz to the nail head. Turn up on site with this hanging from your belt and you will have the respect of all around.
Now I must go and study the Estwing catalog, my eyes have been open to the beauty of striking tools.
