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+--- Thread: $265 for a hammer? (/showthread.php?tid=289988)
Re: $265 for a hammer? - RAMd®d - 09-05-2024
Clearly, about 96% of the posters, including me, have never heard of a Ti hammer, let alone used one.
That makes most of the responses laughable, as in not with.
Wirecutter does get carried away, and I don't trust a lot of their picks, but that doesn't mean they're always wrong.
From the article that apparently went unread by most:
If you’re looking for a hammer that weighs noticeably less than the others, hits harder, is easier on the arm, and has a number of unique features such as a well-designed side puller and a level of customization with the grip area, we recommend the Stiletto 10oz Trimbone Smooth/Curve Titanium Hammer. Titanium hammers, a favorite of framing crews and other relentless hammer-swingers, are lighter than their steel counterparts and transfer more of your swinging power into the nailhead and less back into your arm. This 10-ounce hammer is an inch longer than our 16-ounce top-pick Estwing, but it weighs about the same as the little 12-ounce Estwing. We’re longtime users and admirers of titanium hammers, and this compact model is about as comfortable to use as they come. But titanium hammers are not cheap compared with steel hammers, so at just under $300, this is a hammer that you really need to use in order to justify purchasing. In the end, there are a lot of reasons to go with the Stiletto hammer, but price isn’t one of them.
Surprising as it seems, Ti hammer are actually a thing, and apparent with people who use hammers for a living, and not just to adorn an upscale workbench.
Not being the most ardent home handyman type, I'm just guessing here, but I'd bet most nail guns, cheaper though they can be, are heavier than this hammer, and can't be used everywhere a hammer can.
My guess is that's one reason why hammers still exist after the invention of nail guns.
A titanium hammer transfers 97% of your energy from swinging the hammer to the nail, while a steel hammer transfers only 70% of your energy to the nail. That means titanium drives the nail more efficiently and that there is less recoil energy to travel back into your arm (3% vs. roughly 30% with steel). This clarifies the claims that titanium is roughly 45% lighter than steel but hits just as hard, and that titanium can help to save your elbow from the shock of hammering.
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/framing/whats-the-difference-titanium-hammers-vs-steel-hammers
A quick DuckDuck shows a lot of sites that talk about Ti hammers and say pretty much the same thing - lighter, more efficient, less tiring.
I've seen no tests or reviews by someone like Tom or Charlie Silva, Kevin O'Conner, or Norm Abram whom I would accept at face value.
Some information supporting Ti hammers came from Bob Vila, which might have some sway, but I never cared for the guy much.
I know, irrelevant.
Me, I won't be buying one of these, not even when the next COLA rolls in.
But if someone who works for a living says 'this is the best thing since zinc nails', who am I to argue.
At this point, based on a cursory search and no personal experience, not even 'I know someone...' I'm happy to leave it with I get it and if you know, you know.
Re: $265 for a hammer? - RAMd®d - 09-05-2024
You folks haven't priced any Snap-On tools lately, I surmise.
I happened to be visiting someone who was at thes Snap-On truck, and I had to bite my tongue at the pricing.
It's one reason my tools are Craftsman, but decades old.
This is where I shake my brolly at the sky and say they don't make 'em like they used to.
Unless you want to pay bigger bucks.
Re: $265 for a hammer? - rgG - 09-05-2024
I remember getting grief, years ago, about paying $30 for a rake.
My mom insisted I had to get it. Lol
It was always referred to as “the $30 rake”
Re: $265 for a hammer? - jardster - 09-05-2024
To be fair, the "Top Pick" is $26.
Re: $265 for a hammer? - Acer - 09-05-2024
I'm looking for a study that supports "A titanium hammer transfers 97% of your energy from swinging the hammer to the nail, while a steel hammer transfers only 70% of your energy to the nail." And, that if is true, it leads to better real-world performance. The googles just lead me through a web of forum threads, handyman blog posts and marketing materials all referring to each other.
Re: $265 for a hammer? - NewtonMP2100 - 09-05-2024
…..Hammer…..pants…..
Re: $265 for a hammer? - Rick-o - 09-05-2024
> Surprising as it seems, Ti hammer are actually a thing, and apparent with people who use hammers for a living, and not just to adorn an upscale workbench.
Not being the most ardent home handyman type, I'm just guessing here, but I'd bet most nail guns, cheaper though they can be, are heavier than this hammer, and can't be used everywhere a hammer can.
Well, I retired as a journeyman carpenter back in 2007 and I can say in my neck of the woods we ALWAYS grabbed a nail gun over a hammer if available or useable for a particular application. Yes, we carried hammers on our sides, but that was mainly for pulling nails or using it to beat on something to get it into position.
I've framed quite a few walls and a hammer just doesn't keep up with a nail gun. Think of this when framing a wall:
Hammer:
bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang.
Nail gun:
kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk-kchunk.
What do you think would be more tiring?
Re: $265 for a hammer? - cbelt3 - 09-05-2024
Rick-O has the truth of it.
Listing to roofers at my neighbors… sounds like machine gun burst fire.
Remembering helping to replace the roof at my in laws house hand nailing the shingles… damn my arm got tired. Used my 70’s craftsman fiberglass handle claw hammer all damn day. $200 bucks to go faster and less shoulder pain would have been worth it..
Re: $265 for a hammer? - MikeF - 09-05-2024
Screw titanium when you can impress everyone with a GOLD-PLATED hammer (and for less, even) with your name engraved on it:
Re: $265 for a hammer? - Buzz - 09-05-2024
This thread isn't complete until Peter B chimes in about his titanium hamsters.
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