If It’s Hammer-time, They’ve Got The Answer

My Dad used to tell a story when I was young, about his days as an apprentice carpenter. He’d developed the habit of holding his hammer halfway up the handle when working, feeling this technique gave him somewhat more control. At one point his boss came over to him, pulled the hammer from his grip and proceeded to saw the tool in half. The lesson was soon obvious.

A metal-handled hammer would have made this demonstration somewhat more difficult but the effect would have been the same. Half a hammer doesn’t work real well. After a day the hammer was repaired (by replacing the damaged handle with a new one) and Dad was coaxed through this experience to learn the proper way of holding this kind of tool. As a result, his speed, accuracy and power were all improved.

Tools are something that, if well made are usually going to be fairly expensive to buy but if not well made are basically worthless. No one who uses a tool frequently is going to want it to be some substandard replica of the ‘real’ thing. Poorly made, cheap tools are difficult to work with, frustrating and dangerous. Their only redeeming quality is that they’re cheap to buy but here, the term ‘you get what you pay for’ holds true in more ways than one.

It’s nice to know the best hammers are still American made, although the market is flooded with cheap imitations that are produced in volume from all points East (read: China). Estwing Hammers are a sterling example of a quality-made tool. They have made innovations in the technology responsible for producing what may be said to be the most ergonomic hammers available. Their patented, shock resistant grip takes the pain and drudgery out of an often monotonous and painfully repetitive task.

Stiletto is another acknowledged leader in this market and Stiletto Hammers are basically in a class of their own. Made from titanium, these hammers weigh about half what a normal hammer weighs but are still capable of delivering the same force when striking. This high-tech, lightweight material (titanium) is also exceptionally strong and produces a recoil shock of about one-tenth that of a typical hammer.

Recoil shock is a major concern for those who make a living swinging a hammer and a ninety percent reduction is a pretty big deal. Common complaints from those who use a hammer on a regular basis are tennis elbow and carpal tunnel. These problems are virtually eliminated with the use of an extremely lightweight, shock-absorbing tool.

One of my favorite sayings and one that has served me well is, “Cheap things aren’t good and good things aren’t cheap.” This is especially appropriate when considering the purchase of a hand tool such as a hammer. Spend a little more. Get a WHOLE LOT more for your money.

Bob Proctor has been writing articles since 2006 and is an expert on hydraulic cable cutters, however he also likes to write about stiletto hammers