Ball Pein Hammer

[TexasT]

I didn't want to get the "look what I got" thread too far off topic, so I started this one to look at the difference in the Grayvik and Vaughn hammers.
It appears they start out the same and are then graded to where some become Vaughn and others go on to be Grayvik. I had bought this Vaughn a while back and thought some might like a comparison.










Unfinished where the Vaughn had been run over some kind of abrasive to knock the over flow off.
I don't think it affects the function. Just not as refined.


Also came across this victor torch but will start another thread for it and my questions.

[muddy]

Nice hammers!

Sent from the twisted mind of the Mudman

[hickory n Steel]

Just think that these are pretty much their seconds and they're still better than the best HF has to offer.

[goodfellow]

can't go wrong with Vaughn -- even seconds are on par with the competition.

[lauver]

gang,

Don't forget that Vaughn made hammers for Sears for many years.  The series code found on the Vaughn-made Crafty hammers is -M-.

The quality of these Vaughn-made Crafty hammers is excellent.

These great Crafty ballpein hammers can still be found on the cheap at pawn shops, flea markets, & swap meets.

[goodfellow]

gang,

Don't forget that Vaughn made hammers for Sears for many years.  The series code found on the Vaughn-made Crafty hammers is -M-.

The quality of these Vaughn-made Crafty hammers is excellent.

These great Crafty ballpein hammers can still be found on the cheap at pawn shops, flea markets, & swap meets.

Good point -- remember back 10 year or so, when Sears regularly had their Craftsman ball pein hammer set on sale pretty much year round? That was a great set, and was Vaughn sourced. I bought a few of those sets as Christmas presents to my BILs and some friends. A great value for a primo set.

[fatfillup]

Well balanced, they just feel good in the hand

[hickory n Steel]

gang,

Don't forget that Vaughn made hammers for Sears for many years.  The series code found on the Vaughn-made Crafty hammers is -M-.

The quality of these Vaughn-made Crafty hammers is excellent.

These great Crafty ballpein hammers can still be found on the cheap at pawn shops, flea markets, & swap meets.

Absolutely.
And IIRC Vaughan had a relationship supplying hammers for Sears as far back as the 1890's, literally the longest relationship Sears had.

[TexasT]

I got another new unit in this week. It has a flat pien on one end and a square head on the other. I wasn't sure what to expect as I got it off the ebay for $14.99 plus tax($16.19 i think). Kinda dinky but it is a hammer so Ill give it a whirl and see how she does. 


Four inches across the top.


About a foot long with the hook over the end of the handle.


Claims to have an American Hickory Handle but no where on the unit or tag does it have  coo where it was made or assembled.


I guess the brand is Valley








The square head






Handle is kinda rough. I was gonna run some abrasive over it and dose it down in boiled linseed oil.



Over all I think Ill get some use out of it.

[Matt_T]

Apparently it's a body hammer.

http://www.valleytools.net/app/stx.productdetail.asp?did=2686

[skfarmer]

the real pics look better  than matt t's  link. i have been less than impressed with most valley tools i have seen. that hammer may be the exception.

[hickory n Steel]

What's the COO on that hammer ?
I have a scar on my cheek from where an asian import hammer I was using as a kid chipped on me, and now I just will not touch ( unless it's to throw it away ) a hammer that's not made in the US or Europe.
Never run into one from Europe in person,  so that just leaves me with USA but I don't mind.

[strik9]

Yup, a fairly generic cross pien body hammer design.  One of my old jobs the boss could make miracle repairs with one.

[skfarmer]

don't underestimate our friends south of the border. i have seen some damn fine striking come through from mexico.