I’ve been thinking of laying the old Estwing Framing Hammer to rest and splashing out on a Stiletto. There’s no chance in hell I’m getting the all Titaniun $250 model but am considering one of the $100-range wooden handled framers.
Any opinions, experiences, fors, againsts?….
My arm can be twisted pretty easily.
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The Stiletto is a great hammer for framing, especially over head nailing and big nails. It's all in the speed of the head, not the weight, and that's what makes the hammer easy on your arm. I really noticed a difference in my arm when I didn't use it the other day to do some framing. I have the original aluminum handled model which is now replaced with the full ti model. Only drawback is the advice not to hit a cat's paw with it. I'm not sure if they still tell you that or not. The company has always stood by it's product, which is a plus too. D.C.
It's worth it unless you have to beat a board into submission. Let the grunts and hacks carry the heavy hammers and the let pros use the ti's.
I'll never go back to a 24 oz hammer again.
I needed a new handle for one of my Harts, I think it's the 20 or 21 Decker. I bought a Stilletto handle, it's a hatchet style, and man do I hate the shape of that thing. I think from so many years of using Harts my hand is molded that way. I suppose I should say I'm not a big-swing framer but a detail guy who taps more than he blasts.
What I need is to find someone still selling Harts, and buy enough new hammers and handles to get me to retirement.
David, Hart's been sold...I use a 16oz straight claw for everything...got one for my son from these guys, says Dead-on, but it's a Harthttp://www.hartvilletool.com/search.php?search_id=dead%20on%20hammer&numSearchview=20&start=0don't know about that link...they're at Hartville Tool under dead on "I am the master of low expectations." Georgie Boy, aboard Air Force One, June 4, 2003
If you buy a stiletto, you will never go back to anything else. Its suppose to prevent tendinitus in your elbow and its alot easier to swing one of those all day than anything else I have tried. Even if your not swingin it that much, it will make a big difference in lessening the weight of your bags.
Hart Woody
Best feel, nice features - way less than $75
Forrest
I got both the 10 oz. finisher (my fav), and the 14 oz framer. Both curved handles. I use either one every day of my life and every time I pick them up (they jump into my hand), I bemoan the lost time I spent without them because I didn't get them earlier.
Keep your old 23 oz around for demo and really beating on something.
Amazon has them.
Stilletto wood handle. Do it. I did. Life has never been the same.
Buy the solid TItanium one, I have broken enough handles on my 14 oz to make up the price difference.
I don't have the keys to success.
I know how to pick the locks.
I've got the 10oz., smooth-faced finish hammer - and I love everything about it.
The wooden handle is smooth and comfortable in the hand, just the right length, and hasn't begun to show any signs of loosening yet.
The head is great too, nicely polished and smooth, claw is deep enough and sharp, I don't get much use out of the magnetic nail holder, but I suppose for the right guy it would be handy as well.
I think you will like their hammers.
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
I got the solid titanium and can swing like one of the kids again.I swung an estwing for twenty five years, and nearly wore the grip off of it. It nearly wore my elbow out along the way.
I purchased mine on sale for $179, money well spent.
Greg in Connecticut
Does everyone think there's sufficient rocker shaped into the claws for good nail pulling action or do they lack finesse like a Daluge? What I mean is that really straight claws mean the top of the hammer face is going to contact the work surface right when the pulling starts. I find the leverage sucks with this geometry. Just the right curvature puts the fulcrum more in line with the shaft. Just wondering if Stiletto fits that category.
Any comparisons to Douglas?
my TI has awesome rocker and the proper hook to grab nails that are "just sticking there head out"unreal feness"i would love to get the finish hammer ....why do they put a magnetic head in that model? the only thing i dont like about that..i will never go back to a steel hammer...TI is worth 500 bucks too me ive had mine for 3 years and the handle is still good..i wouldnt get the 15 oz with the wild shaped handle ...its too heavy.
the framer is 14oz
I'm attracted to the all Ti models because of the replaceable faces (thinking I'd have both faces and would actually switch 'em out when needed - is this a silly thought?), and maybe the ti shaft is damper.(?)
I'm really curious if those straight shafts with the molded grip are nice or awkward.Perhaps someone would suggest going wood, saving money, and getting a framer and a finisher...
I have the replaceable face, have yet to use it.Seems like a pain to chang over.
The grip and the staight handle take a day or two to get used to.I love the hammer.
Greg in connecticut
the axe handled all ti stilleto has the best grip I've ever used
i personally haven't liked having an axe handle on my framer, but maybe there's is different, and...
how about that side nail puller on the all ti's? can you use that cheek or the other for tapping in tight quarters? why is it a pain to change faces on them?
STILETTOS...
I like them. Got five of them including the rare Al. handle model - superb ergonomics on that.
If you are framing, I think the space to be in is the 16oz. models. Had the Dalluge Sweet 16 and loved it. Stolen. Replaced with the Vaughn 16 oz Ti with steel nose (can beat on nail puller). So far, so good. Balance a bit different.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.