Got a favorite hammer?

[john k]

I have several, but the ones I will hang onto are these.  In 72' I was working in the local Ford garage.  My father came in one afternoon, handed me a sack, "think  you will need these".   I was a little astonished as he was never one to part with a dollar unless necessary.  He had bought brand new 2 ball peen hammers,  a 12 oz. And 16 oz. Both stamped Coast to Coast stores.  Some wrenches were in there too.  The heads still have little traces of the blue paint that long vanished store chain used.  There is a little 6 oz. ball peen I rather cherish.  It has Craftsman in an oval on the head, it has been here on the farm since my folks came here in 1947.  Jobs were scarce in Chicago when the defense plants closed, the decision was made to sell out, buy a farm in Nebraska, my uncles chipped to buy a new set of Craftsman tool to take with them.  Most of them have survived near 75 years use on this farm.

[slip knot]

I've got a no name claw hammer thats been with me for 50+ years. I've replaced the handle several times but I will never intentionally get rid of that hammer. I dont recall where or when I got it. its was my hammer as a kid growing up. Nailed tons of shingles on, smashed lots of thumbs and fingers. Flipped several houses... I made a lot of money with that hammer.

[hickory n Steel]

When it comes to claw hammers the Vaughan & Bushnell rip claws are king.
I've got 3 of the 10oz #9 ,2 of the 16oz #99, 4 different 20oz #999, and a couple of the 28oz 505m.
I'm still planning to get the 2 largest sizes.


And this 50's Craftsman is also a Vaughan #999, well made by V&B and based on a #999 anyways.

It's definitely one of my favorites, and most used claw hammer.

I'll have to get a picture of my 2 favorite ball peen hammers tomorrow.

[goodfellow]

Still using my old 1960/70's Stanley and TT "Rocket". Also my dad's 1960's vintage Millers Falls. Notice that the price is still visible on the MF  - $3.87 back in the early 1960's. They're all a bit worn, but they will outlive me.

[bonneyman]

I've got a Craftsman claw hammer I picked up back in like 1980 - used it on a construction job. Still have it around here somewhere.
I like the old Malco tinner hammers, with the leather ring handles that slowly conform to you hands with use. When broken in they're like a worn in pair of boots - can't live without 'em!

[hickory n Steel]

These are my two most used ball peens.


The first is a Chrome vanadium Craftsman,  made by Macpherson Huff in the 40's before they became MAC, I think it's about a 14oz

You just don't see a lot of chrome plated hammers, my assumption is that it's chrome vanadium.

My second most used is this 2oz Champion De'arment, because of course I'm a huge Channellock fan.

It's used for gunsmithing type work, so I keep both faces smooth and mirror polished.

[TexasT]

I too like the craftsman wood handle ball peen units. the big one is my favorite. when I was a youngster(probably late teens) I got a "tool set" as a christmas present from my grandmother. I'm sure she went down to sears and bought one for each grandsons who was old enough for tools. unfortunately I already had most if not all of the tools in the kit. So we thanked her and made the trip to the Sears for an exchange. Traded it for that big ball peen hammer and a tap n die set. still have the both.

the smaller one with the $12 was picked up a few months back at an. estate sale. it was half price day so for $6 it came home with me.
I'm also a newly acquired fanness of shining up the striking surface. so these along with a few others got the sand down and some buffing compound and the wheel to make em "nice"

[Lookin4_67GalaxieConv]

I got so many hammers I've picked up over the years.  You can't beat being able to choose the perfect hammer for the job.