The Framing Hammer Hall of Fame

Get a hammer you love, and you won't be sorry. I will admit that there are some new hammers on the market that I have not tried yet...maybe someday I will. However, it is going to take a lot to convince me to abandon my current go-to hammer.

The First Framing Hammer I bought:
My Current and Most Beloved Hammer:
My Hammer Recommendation for Homeowner/DIY/Wedding Gift

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[Dreamster]

When I was in college, I was pretty poor. I was an Army vet getting some assistance, but I couldn't make it on that alone. (Thanks, UCLA.) My brother hooked me up with one of his surfer bros whose dad was a big contractor in Santa Monica. The son was the foreman. It was summer of '84 when I showed up on a job site to build a restaurant in Beverly Hills. All these old pros looked at me and laughed at me. I didn't have nail bags or anything. The only thing I brought were brand new gardening gloves and a household Stanley hammer, one of those hollow-tube jobs for hanging pictures. I spent the day bloodying myself with that goofy hammer and 12p and 16p nails. The next day, the boss yells for me to get into his truck to go to Builders Emporium (classic Los Angeles place before the big box stores.) He gets what he needs and I'm following him looking like an idiot, and we stop at the hammers. He was 5-9, and I was a big dude, 6-2, 225. He grabs a Vaughn 32.oz framing hammer and says "Here's your new hammer. You can give the other one back to your mom." Thus began my lifelong love affair with Vaughn. His mantra when pounding nails was "one set, two strikes, one finish." The sound was like "Thwip, whawp whawp, thwoop!" Anyway, as I've gotten older, I mostly used the leather-handled Estwings. My working career wasn't in construction. But I've always fancied myself a decent carpenter. I remodeled a home on some acres in the Pacific Northwest, and built a large horse barn from scratch in my off time. I was building that barn, and there was just something "off" about the experience. I rummaged through my shop and I found that old Vaughn. My old boss had just passed and I thought about the day when I was just a pup and he gave that thing to me as a gift to make myself better. I used it to finish the barn in any instance where I couldn't use a nail gun (a luxury back in the day) and when I look at the barn I always think of that hammer and my old friend who gave it to me. It's still in my big rolling toolbox and everytime I see it I think of the time my boss said "you can give the other one back to your mom." Because that old Stanley is in that drawer, too. In fact, not a day goes by when I'm tinkering in my shop that there isn't a tool in my shop that doesn't remind me of family or friends or the things I've done along the way. I've been married twice, lived overseas, worked in 10 different countries, have two sons, put myself through college--twice--and served in the US Army for six years. The one constant is that I still have that Vaughn hammer. One set, two strikes, one finish.

[myfathersbusiness]

if the world was right side up, boys would have posters of men like him hanging in their rooms and ask him to autograph their hammers. Grew up without a Father figure and really appreciate the calm expert advice from a genuine man like you. thank you

[donjuan]

You make me love my job as a framer. And see it with much more respect and honor. Thank you

[RRogers]

Started framing with an Estwing and my fathers old nail apron. After a year, the owner surprised me with a 16 oz stiletto. After I bought new occidental pouches I LOOKED like one of the big dogs. I don’t frame homes anymore but am watching this content avidly so as not to screw up projects on my own property. Such superb content and actually.. incredibly therapeutic. This is what YouTube is for.

[AJ-odmv]

The hammer selection in that store is absolutely incredible. I wish there were something like there around my area

[Tbonethompson]

The blue grip on a steel Estwing hammer can be chewed off by a Labrador at any stage in the hammers life. I agree that for the most part, with regular every day use, it is indestructible. Yet about ten minutes around a full grown lab and the blue handle coating is done for.

[CD-hcds]

Grew up with old school carpenters. I've watched many of this man's videos, his advice & knowledge are golden! A true craftsman.

[garethwilmut]

Been following you for ages, love the channel, I could sit and chat with you for hours about work, tools, and philosophy's about anything, you strike me as that type who cares, and educates. And I could learn a lot from you. You have an incredible work ethic and I've learned a lot from you, sounds silly learning something from YouTube, but you have educated me more than I realised! So thank you friend.

[eriksalmon]

My father in law is Bob Hart, the founder of Hart Tool Co. who you mentioned Hart Tool who made the California Framer. The company was sold off in the early 2000's to a cutlery company who continued the Hart Hammers under Dead On Tools and then sold again at least in name to TTI and is now the Hart tool line you see in WalMart now.

[MrKerry]

My brother gave me a brand new Estwing framing hammer 30 years ago, and it is still my go to hammer to this day. You are spot on about the handle aging...it looks great. Thanks for the tour.

[chrisb]

I’m a hammer guy and really enjoyed this video. I’m pushing 60 and I’ve been having some pain in my arm when running an air nailer and I use an Estwing hammer. I decided to try a Stiletto. Picked one up at my local hardware store - 14 oz, axe handle type. Hammered numerous nails today framing a small shed for a friend. What a delight! No pain, 3.5 inch nails driven with 3-4 swings and just a beautiful tool! Very happy and looking forward to many, many years with this tool. Thank you.

[JM-jdyp]

Every video has the quality of authenticity running through it. I learn from everyone of them. In a world where words are twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools these films are so refreshing and so honest. Thank you.

[callmeishmael]

I started framing as a summer job at 17. Erwin Seutter and Ernie Hildebrand taught me everything I know about framing. I started on a 16 oz Stanley and then a 20 oz waffle face estwing then a 22 oz Vaughn then finished up with a 22 oz Vaughn rigging hammer which I carried on using till today whenever I frame. I have them all still and wouldn’t sell any for a thousand bucks. They define me. I’m a retired architect now and have huge respect for a framer and his trade. During summer months I help friends build sheds and additions. I love sinking those spikes and building as true as i can.

[edbigtruck]

The way you explain things and the honesty when you don’t know or not sure. Gives you such a relatable side. Really makes your channel enjoyable. I’ve really enjoyed your videos.

[steely]

I started framing in 1972. I passed the carpenter's union apprenticeship entry exam and was hired to stand walls. The first day on the job the boss gave me a used 20 Oz Vaughn framing are. I still have it. It is perfectly balanced and can be swung with ease and it produces extremely energy. I used it 17 years, all of my framing career. It was fun driving 16 Penney vinyl coated nails...a 2 hit operation. 1 set nail 2 drive it home. I liked driving nails so much I'd practice driving nails in the floor of my apartment. But yes, if you want to be proficient framer get a framing ax.

[williampriddy]

The hammers you mentioned were my favorites. I'm 67 now and I worked as a carpenter or super all my life. I have always felt that the Plumb rig fitters hatchet was the finest nail driving hammer ever made. I still have a the Vaughn waffle headed framing hammer and rigster hatchet in my van. When I did trim my goto hammer was a straight claw 20oz Estwing with the leather handle ( but I always hated how those plastic washers would crack and fall out ). Love your channel keep up the good work.

[thomasbacon]

I bought my 28 oz estwing when I was 17. It's been everywhere I've built houses (New England, Georgia Oklahoma, Arizona, and Hawaii). I took it everywhere with me when I was a Ranger in the Army. It has earned its jump wings on multiple jumps and been to Afghanistan in multiple deployments. I don't build houses any more but it's still my most valued posession. I would give it to my son when he turns 16 but I'd rather him get his own and give it the story of his life.

[LifeinFarmland]

I am not sure what it is about your videos but I could listen to you talk about anything for hours. Found you from the chainsaw videos. Something I feel I know a great deal about, but for some reason I was sucked in. Lol, I guess what I am trying to say is I really enjoy your videos no matter the topic. Keep up the good work.

[timdouglass]

As a a carpenter for over 50 years, I've seen the evolution of framing hammers. I haven't got on the 14 oz bandwagon. You make well made videos. I wish I had YouTube when I was starting.

[jmyers]

i have driven my share of nails but i am always amazed that all these wood structures we build are held together with little steel pins and friction