tuna,
I have been using one for two or three years. There is a lot less vibration and shock than with a steel Estwing.
Another benefit of the Stanley (and probably a lot of others) is that the grip is shaped so you need to use a lot less force to hold it than you do with an Estwing. That alone reduces the stress on your arm quite a lot.
I used an Estwing for going on 20 yeas. The pain went away when I switched.
Ron
Replies
Bought one about 4 years ago, a 22 oz & didn't notice one lick of difference from my fiberglass handled Vaughn. I used it maybe 6 times.
The ones that really make a difference are the California style head with a long wooden handle like a Hart or Douglass. I treated myself to the Stiletto titanium 14 oz framer and 10 oz finish for whacking the nails and use my old 22 oz Vaughn for moving of material or demo work.
Forgot to add, the grip on the Stanley is good. It's the curved ax grip and it gives you the maximum in throw. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad hammer, I would prefer it to an Estwing, but not to a wooden handle.
Tuna, are you hand nailing all day? Not many of us do that anymore. I'm from the days before nail guns and totally destroyed my arm with an Estwing. I would repeat what Ron said. The Stanley has a similar feel to the Estwing. I also have a Rigid hammer. This absorbs vibration better than any other hammer I've used but it is a weird shaped hammer and a little small. The problem with it is that it has a hole in the cheek, as do some other hammers. There are too many times you need to use the cheek to start a nail in a tight area. If a hammer has a hole, I don't want it. Wood handles break too easy for me. I like the Stanley but I like nail guns more. I don't think I could go back to hand nailing without that throbbing, that wakes you up all night, returning.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Estwing now has anti vibe as well
alrightythen,
I've seen ads for it in FHB and elsewhere, but for the reasons that hammer said above it just isn't that important any more.
Thanks
Ron