DEWALT DWHT51054 20 Oz. Rip Claw Hammer

Product Information

Wood-handled hammers: These have a nice, traditional look to them, and they are loved by framing crews for their natural shock-absorbing properties, but the connection between the head and the handle is less stable. Curved Claw Finishing Hammer is only about an ounce and a half heavier than our pick, but it feels out of balance in comparison.

I’ve worked with countless hammers, using them to drive everything from teeny-tiny brads to massive framing spikes.

And though they offer benefits with weight, power, and shock absorption, they’re simply too expensive for the casual user.

Mike Lancelotta, with 13 years of construction experience, told us, “When I first started doing construction, I noticed that all the older carpenters all had Estwings.During that time, I used hammers to pound nails, bust up brick, demolish plaster, chip concrete, break tile, and knock framing lumber into place.

At 1 pound 10½ ounces, it was one of the lightest hammers we tested (weights ranged up to just under 2 pounds). The handle is also extremely squishy, and there’s a seam along the middle of the grip area where it transitions from the squishy part to hard plastic. Ultra Series Hammer is comparable to the E3-20S; this one adds a few flourishes, but none of them are necessary or successful. Even with their fairly light weight, the hammers—each about 2½ inches longer than the 20-ounce Estwing—are still too long for any kind of finesse work. The first dozen 16-ounce hammers we tested ranged in weight from about 1½ pounds to nearly 2 pounds.During my 10 years working in the construction industry, I saw more carpenters using this hammer than any other model. Compared with steel hammers, these models are lighter in weight, and they have increased striking power and better shock absorption. One difference: The raised logo on the Ox Tools hammer’s handle makes it a little less comfortable to hold.

In my own extended use of various Estwing hammers, I’ve found the negative effects from vibration don’t really occur— with occasional use. I really get the feel that it is one unit and not just a heavy head on a handle that I’m swinging around like a sledgehammer.The handle also has an odd bulge in it, which felt off when we held the handle either higher or lower along the grip.