Ideal Hammer Handle Size

[@prakaimartintarasuwan105]

Awesome book that gives you step-by-step photos kzbin.infoUgkxTNB_zFBSnTo_O1PqfVUwgi7ityw0JlKt and directions to make every day project. I can see myself making a few of these projects and giving them as housewarming and holiday gifts!

[@BNOBLE.]

At 98 y/o my grandfather died last month and after his funeral the grandchildren were asked if we would like anything that he owned... I only asked for his framing hammer. On the ride home my mother asked me why? I said I wanted his old hammer. I told her that, as a master carpenter he swung that hammer his entire life and when he was teaching me as a youngster I could feel the impression of his hand in the handle of his hammer and that will remind me of him for the rest of my life. I'm not sure if his hand left a imprint in the wood but when I hold that hammer I can feel his hand. We used to drive through the neighborhoods of old homes in downtown Buffalo and he would say.... " I built that house and that house and that one to. He truly left his mark in the city I grew up in and he was truly my hero.

[@essentialcraftsman]

What a beautiful tribute...thank you... K

[@kw6713a]

Just moved back to WNY myself, inspired significantly by the lives of my grandparents who spent their years here. Your story resonates, all the good for so many that was done by the people of that generation.

[@susant8809]

Go Bills

[@adamjames1375]

That's awesome, my Grandfather would was a Union Carpenter in Buffalo N.Y. and would have been 96-97 if he was still with us. I have a few of his tools and among my favorites are an 8oz. Ballpein & a 5-6# Ship Maul that's likely much older than he was.

[@mackfisher4487]

Regardless of the subject your communication skills always hit the nail on the head.

[@williamwatson8496]

"A change is as good as a rest". So true.

[@fraserriverforge9638]

With a properly fitted hammer, you won’t need a rest

[@litewatefitr]

Living this right now.

[@IAW888]

This saying applies to anything in life

[@kph220]

Scott, I was hoping you'd delve into how/ why some of those measurements were important. Never gave it much thought by am now intrigued!

[@RedDawn430]

A buddy of mine as a joke has a tack hammer on a 6ft dowell rod right next to a 15lb hammer with a 4inch handle

[@Kim-ek2mt]

Tradesman here, I just moved and was packing up and " found " 17 hammers did not realize i had a problem Thank you Scott for letting me know i don't have a problem

[@craigtaylor7812]

I discovered your channel a couple weeks ago. WOW the things I am learning, even at 64 it's surprising and exciting to have so many ah-ha moments! Your videos span SO MANY things I thought I understood, but thanks to YOU, several times now I see I knew only half the story, especially viewing your 'tips' videos. Just watching how a professional construction craftsman works thru a project (and so fast) has shown and taught me too many things to list BUT they are MANY!! Example: As part of a future pole barn garage build project (next year), I recently purchased a Metabo NR83A5 Nail Gun and a worm gear Skilsaw (M77) SPT77WML-01. Though eager to, I have not yet needed to use either one, BUT once the need arises NOW I'll actually know how to!!! THANK YOU so much sir, truly.

[@rodkraal7255]

Hey there guys, great subject, In the blacksmith shop where I served my apprenticeship ( at the peck of the time when I was there ) there were twenty eight smiths on the floor of the shop, plus up to eight apprentices. Most of us had a full time stricker, a lot of guys, we were all issued with a one and a half pound Stanley ball pein hammer for hand forging. You may think, that's pretty small, but what most of us would do, is remove the standard 12" handle and replace it with an 18" hickory handle that we fashioned our-self. This give more leverage, and more impact at the face, but did not tire out your arm, it also allowed you, by sliding your hand up the handle to do small light work with out having to change hammers . as always great video great subject, love your channel, prayers and thoughts to you and your family. Rod Kraal, Blacksmith Down Under In New Zealand

[@sanityone649]

A while back I was completely remodeling my master bath. I wanted/needed a new hammer. I looked at hammers for weeks. I'm sensitive to weight and balance and feel. After a couple of weeks my wife was becoming irritated by my indecision. I finally narrowed my choice and purchased the winner. A week later I arrived home from work and what do I see...my wife tearing out the bathroom subfloor with my new hammer. She wouldn't give it back. I had to buy her one so i could use mine. And there u go. Apparently the wait was worth it.

[@billbaum1706]

What did you decide on ?

[@michaeldougfir9807]

Another kind of gift should be mentioned here. My sister's "hubs" took my Pulaski and sharpened it. But it was a real fine tuning. This was a surprise. Just before Covid hit. So I take better care of it now. He put skilled effort into this gift. I will remember this for a long time.

[@Nickgowans]

You should be more than happy to modify any tool, taking a great tool and making it perfect for you is not an insult to the gifter or maker, it's a compliment. It means you value the tool so much that you're willing to take the time to make it perfect for you rather than just tossing it out and buying something else.

[@fishhuntadventure]

3:28 I have used a 16oz Vaughn straight claw carpenters hammer with an octagonal wood handle for nearly 30 years. Recently ordered several different ash octagon replacement handles for my 10oz SK ball pein and another 16oz finish hammer, and have a 26oz ball pein that has a long piece of 5/4 red oak (longish for a hammer anyways) I drawknifed into a handle when I needed the hammer in a hurry but had broken the handle. Those octagonal hammers are fantastic. The fit my small hands well and have the secondary benefit of looking unusual and different LOL and the big-ish ball pein was so unusually quick with the thin oak handle I left it that way every since. Handle shape is sortof important imho, and octagonal is much kinder to my tired, achey tendons and wrists. Good commentary here on handles!

[@fraserriverforge9638]

In our experience, any sharp ridges on the handle leads to blisters and calluses. If the work you do deforms your body, you are doing it wrong. Words of wisdom from the Master Carpenters of Les Compagnons du Devoir et du tour de France. They work with rough oak timbers and have baby soft hands.

[@michaeldougfir9807]

"Too many hammers." What does that mean? Thank you for another good tool video. My outlook is, a gift is automatically special because it was a gift. It can be a household item, a tool, or what ever. Last summer I was visiting one of my best friends. A third party present would have laughed at us. But he and I spent probably half an hour reciting tools we had traded or gifted to eachother since the '80s. I was pleased that he still had and valued my gifts. And wanted him to know the same about me. I have a friend I used to cut firewood with now and then. I have long used a 2# cross peen hammer to drive wedges in tree felling. My friend bought and gave to me a modern equivalent. The old hammer is fine. It's just right. But the new hammer (with a plastic handle) was a gift between friends. So I use the newer one. I want him to see my appreciation. I admire the hammers from B.C. They are a special gift to each of you. I am sure you will have them (and use them) all your lives. Thanks for a well tuned video. Michael.

[@morgizmo87]

Nice timing! This past week i bought another hammer, wood handled, and have been personalizing the handle the past couple days. Nothing so nice as those, but good little hammer, being made better for me. Thank you for the content, I've been watching regularly since your first episode on tape measures, and i've learned a lot. God bless.

[@richw9205]

This is going to sound very silly but I bought a Bostitch many many years ago. Smooth face straight claw framing hammer for banging tin as a HVAC installer. Tinning hammers are very expensive and I don’t think they perform that well. The Bostitch was a full metal anti-vibe with an ugly orange rubber handle. A dog of mine chewed the bottom of the handle so I figured it was ruined. I’ve tried shopping for and finding a replacement. For some, again, silly reason I love that stupid hammer. Use it to this day, chewed handle and all. Can’t find that kind of hammer anymore. But there’s something about a tool that you like that fits that just makes a dude feel good inside. Happy hammering and keep up the good work!!!

[@bigoldgrizzly]

Does seem to be a trait among modern hammer makers to oversize the thickness of handles. Perhaps they reckon customers will think - yep that looks good and strong, I'll take it, and many will fall for it ... and the blisters it will bring.. Despite having large hands, my hammer handles might be considered by some to be 'petite' ..... they work for me and, to my mind, give me much more control and that is what it is all about. You can't ' push ' a hammer through a job. The momentum gives the force and your grip directs it to the right spot [well hopefully] regards OG

[@sealteamryx6758]

Speaking of ladder injuries, I'm off work and on workman's comp right now. January 4th 2023 at bout 4:30 pm I was on a ladder bout 7 feet up and guy was above me on a platform he was about 15 feet from the ground. He slipped off and came down on me and we both went to the ground he landed on me. Boss took me to ER cuz it hurt my back, arm, knee and ribs. They did a couple CT scans of My torso. Luckily nothing was broken just very bruised sprained n torn up... however they found growths all over My lungs and thyroid and recommended I got to oncologist ASAP.... pretty scary... they don't know what it is I have to go to lung specialist next month... so yeah ladders are dangerous and can kill you but in my case it saved my life haha I wish it had done it in a much less painful way, but still

[@leeclemon2926]

I enjoy hearing someone say you can't have too many hammers or something to that effect. My favorite hammer right now is a cross pien I bought at a swap meet for $.50. it had a broken handle. I replaced the handle and use it almost daily. Something I do is grind three or four grooves around each hammer handle. A guy I looked up to growing up, grew up in a blacksmith shop. His dad lost the ends of his fingers using a lathe be had built to make wagon tongues. He sat in the drs. office with his hand wrapped in a handkerchief for an hour sitting quietly before they got him in. That's where I learned the grooved in the handle.

[@aevan104]

What's the purpose of the grooves?

[@-S-K-Miller]

Morning, Nate and Scott

[@davidmatke248]

Keep up the good work!

[@dustiestspade339]

I think I figured out the handles I like but I need to work on not splitting the handle when I put in the wedges

[@johncatt1867]

Mr. Scott, this is a great video and discussion topic. The older I get and with my medical conditions I have noticed that I don't have the grip that I used to and I prefer a different grip than I used to.

[@N.A.J.]

I just completed installing handles on 5 ball peen heads that were going to be discarded for scrap at a friends house. Slight coincidence the recent EC upload is about hammers and handles? Maybe.

[@gtbkts]

Thanks for the awesome content and great video!!

[@fraserriverforge9638]

Thank-you for this concise and well explained video!

[@MaverickandStuff]

I love my Plumb hammers. I am always looking for the old ones with the red 8 sided handles. They just feel right.

[@brentrobinson6456]

Kinda like tape measures. They should be everywhere

[@donb8447]

I have 3 original Hart hammers, two framing, one being an original "Woody" framer the 3rd a trim hammer... they all pretty much have a hatchet eye head, and its almost impossible to find replacement handles for them... so much I've learned to make my own. I bought an Estwing, but it just doesn't compare to an original Hart... :)

[@jonnybkuehl878]

Very nice hammer!! Also, very cool tattoo Nate has of the Han Solo blaster!!

[@essentialcraftsman]

Ha! I just asked Nate if that was his arm! It's not! The arm belongs to the gentleman that made the hammer!

[@SonoftheWest316]

I could talk Hammer's all day. I remember when I worked service rig's we built a long handled 4 lber (probably 30-36 inch can't remember). Was so great for hammering line pipe on the ground.

[@alasdairmunro1953]

Love to see the Plum rigging axe! Didn’t really need one, but an Estwing made it to me! When I use it, I think of yours.

[@MoneybagsUkulele]

I literally laughed out loud when he said "and I'm going to try it out for a FEW YEARS and let you guys know what I think". Incredible.

[@warrenmichael918]

I am also a hammer guy, im not a carpenter but i do enough work around the house and shop that i have quite a few different hammers. I have some pretty old hammers that are just weird looking and almost seemingly useless since i have so many but i just can not bring myself to toss them out or get rid of them.

[@paulbeaumont2911]

I’ve lost count of the amount, from sledge to claw to cross peen to planishing, you can never have too many hammers. As I would imagine AvE would say, “if you’ve hammered it and it’s still stuck, your hammer isn’t big enough, rethink the mass!”.

[@firemanj35]

Wow, yes, in the past, I have changed handles just to give my arm a break. Just never fave it much thought

[@CrossTimbersSon]

Fascinating insight into hammer handles!

[@colemanstanford]

You should check out the hammer museum in Haines Alaska, world class

[@ethanheyne]

Quite a few folks here talking about amassing hammers, but remember you can't take it with you. Both my grandmas outlived their husbands and had to deal with all the stuff they'd left behind, including masses of tools. Both of them decided they weren't going to inflict that on their families and started whittling down their own stuff and making arrangements for estate sales.

[@MrElemonator]

We all need to be more essential craftsman

[@ericolson111]

" A man can never have too many hammers" wise words 👍

[@mikes1345]

You definitely can't have too many hammers in the shop but you can have too many in the tool cabinet drawer! I have 4 medium sized rolling tool cabinets but may have to get another just to distribute the weight of hammers.

[@bigoldgrizzly]

I know that problem - I have hammers of all shapes and sizes from one ounce to 28 pounds. I call it a ' comprehensive array of essential specialist hammers ' ... the Wife calls it hoarding ;

[@kwithnok]

time to start a wall of them and make them an art piece.

[@bigoldgrizzly]

@@kwithnokI'm not a fan of wallhangers - if I did that they'd never get used, though most don't get used a lot now ... and anything over 7 pound I'm too old and arthritic to swing, not that I often needed the bigger ones.

[@ADBBuild]

I have a Shun chef's knife that has a triangular shaped handle. Basically the first two sections of your finger (from the tip) form one side, the third section is the second side and your palm is the third side. I find it feels very comfortable and now I'm wondering how it would feel in a hammer handle. The only down side is it is directional, meaning you couldn't put it on a hammer that need to be held from both sides.

[@beurky]

One day, could you please talk about the functional differences of the eyes of hammer heads? My observations: Framing hammers are oval Axes are even more oval or tear drop sledges, mini sledges or your big boy hammers are almost round or sometimes actually round. I get it, the force of the strike is in the vector of the swing, but then why are sledges round? For instance, there are times when I've put a rotational force on the adz of a polaski (I know thats not what its meant for) but when doing that I feel like I can break the handle right at the head, it has no strength in that vector. a round eye doesn't have that weak spot. And then axe handles have that specific shape, with a belly and a back and a fawnfoot (which I like, I don't know why, it just feels better), some hammers handles are straight OR axelike, and sledge handle are always straight... Why can't sledge handles have round eyes and have the belly handle shape? Please teach us

[@contax50mm]

Finding the perfect hammer handle is a neverending quest. It changes by the day, month, year

[@mvblitzyo]

well now I know its not all in my head when it comes hammers and handles on any tools they just need to feel right !

[@mr.smitty1993]

“A man can never have too many hammers.” Words of wisdom that I abide by religiously.

[@54mgtf22]

Love your work 👍

[@baxteroliver3319]

I just saw you where hanging out with andrew larson blacksmith he is a great blacksmith and young man

[@dennispogue9107]

I always say due to my age {64} the knowledge I have gotten over the years, is compressing my spine, making me shorter. LOL

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

I make my own handles as well. I don’t care for the sharpness of edges so all my handles are oval, smooth, oiled and waxed.

[@jasonblankenship8274]

Sounds like he's fix'N to start sanding on his new hammer

[@hermannstraub3743]

I can see to be like a Hammer: hanging around your anvil. And keep up the good work.

[@ricksanchez445]

Do you know of a way to get the groove in a claw hammer repaired x so it’s capable of removing a nail again??

[@clydedecker765]

THAT is what was wrong with my framing hammer .. It was heavy and appropriate but it just didn't want to get in the groove for a while - every day. It was a standard 22 oz crescent with the "store's" idea of shape. It was not straight and had a crook at the end. Never seemed "right" in the feel. I used an 18 oz for a trade off but it was just too light for serious framing. Now that I think about it - I WISH it had had a straight rectangular or octagonal handle... Might have made those days "friendlier" to my body... Yes, there is a science to it but it is based on the person holding it and using it.

[@Fr3sh-Kush]

My dad swore by estwing 22 oz. If it wasnt for the durability factor, he would use his old school ruger stilleto. Those handles feel just right. I love a wood hammer but everyone at my job has one so itll get stolen, and i like the extra heft behind it. Anyways, i was a gifted a 17 oz milwaukee steel hammer. Feels pretty ok, not my favorite but the handle feels wrong. Im a young guy, just to make the motion of swing the hammer hurts with that handle. Its like an even narrower stiletto wood handle but in a bad way

[@mayhemmayo]

THANK YOU KEEP U THE GOOD WORK !

[@carladelagnomes]

That's me. A hammer in the house, a hammer in the garage, a hammer on the Jeep toolbag...

[@Davey768]

Anybody tried a Dalluge 16oz handle? Those are oval, measuring roughly 1,5" to 1". It's feels great! Not a lot different to the Stiletto, but feels totally different.

[@user-ts7zz6lq4x]

The dalluge tend to be skinnier, and have a bigger flare at the end of the handle. I think the flare is probably the same size (width and height) as the stiletto, but since the dalluge handle is more ovally/skinnier, the flare feels bigger. I shape my stiletto to match my dalluge.

[@Gabriel16T]

I need dave Taylor to find me one of those!

[@toddavis8603]

Carpenter's bread & butter☆☆☆☆As a Journeyman, for 40+ yrs, i probably had 30 black and blue fingernails-------OUCH!"My favorite hammer is a 22 ounce Estwing.

[@markkoons7488]

It's reassuring to hear you say a man can never have too many hammers. In my late 70s I find that I must have well over 50. They weigh anywhere between a few ounces to 12 pounds and there are uses for each one.

[@brianteunessen85]

This makes me feel better for I love hammer s

[@dragonwaterforge]

Great vid

[@harrisjuan1564]

So what was the measurements for?

[@robblindsay9894]

All tools must feel right in your hand that’s why you must have your own tools to do the job

[@Kristoferskogsberg]

Do you have a traditional Swedish cross pen hammer?

[@secretwoodproject]

Wow, I definitely had to subscribe when I saw you driving nails by hammer. Seems all you see anymore are nail guns used by guys that cannot swing a hammer.

[@spock59]

Scott, you shrunk two inches? 😲

[@PhotonFlightTeam]

"....I'd hammer in the morning, I'd hammer in the evening, all over this la..and......"

[@dirkkelly9596]

Everything is a hammer, just some are much better and nicer 👍👍

[@raoufshomali9727]

I own about 20 hammers myself

[@charliekingpin8568]

Looks to me like hammer heaven, I'm in to Japanese hammer at the moment :)

[@Bastispark]

I think for this carpenter every problem looks like a nail 😋😋😘😘😂😂

[@sealteamryx6758]

Dang it sorry I was watching a different video before this clip didn't notice it changed 🤦‍♂️

[@richw9205]

So…would not having too many hammers be considered a blacksmithing vise? 😂🤣😂🤣

[@BEENIECRIS]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@motobenbh4722]

Sand it, rasp it, whittle it, or plane it ..... until it's yours.

[@Jessev741]

I doubt you'll get to see this but for some reason people always mispronounce 'Fraser' as 'Frasier'. There's no I, it's just 'phrase-er'! Keep up the good work :)

[@The_Pennsylvanian]

Is that right? I'm from the east, and if I'm right, the Fraser only grows in the Southern Appalachians... Gorgeous mountains, I might add. Never heard anyone, especially back home, pronounce it anyway but fray-sure

[@Jessev741]

@@The_Pennsylvanian I promise it's right haha, I live next to the Fraser River that this company gets its name from.

[@Jessev741]

@@The_Pennsylvanian it's really 'fray-zer', not phrase-er

[@The_Pennsylvanian]

@@Jessev741 I believe you, but I will say that I never try and correct the pronunciation of anyone myself, I think it's pretty interesting how people pronounce things differently, and the result is pretty neat sounding accents across our country. Speaking of, Im not familiar with the Fraser River, where is that?

[@Jessev741]

@@The_Pennsylvanian it's in BC, Canada. It's a massive river, 850 miles long, that meets the Pacific in and around Vancouver. It's named after Simon Fraser who explored/mapped most of BC, as are many other things around here like Simon Fraser University

[@staginglightingsensation8505]

The golden ratio

[@trevermccall6762]

👍

[@enriquegarciacota3914]

Stop. … Hammer Time!

[@roxydog2004]

When in doubt hammer it out.

[@disqusrubbish5467]

I know you do blacksmithing too, and may enjoy seeing this Japanese master blacksmith (he makes hammers) as he takes one of the many tree branches he has hanging in his smithy and crafts a handle for one of his hammers. It's a short video - one of three as the handle comes to completion. A Japanese carpenter would be expected to fit his own handle to a first rate hammer - and use no wedges. There are other videos of him making the hammers - softer steel in the body, harder steel on the face, and quenching - sometimes the whole hammer, sometimes quenching only the area around the slot. As a blacksmith carpenter, you might be tempted to make your own... ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/npLUfGdqjtF3rK8

[@tanner9072]

Paul Pelosi likes this video

[@Carl007Jr]

Different kind of hammer 🍆

[@atmac2162]

Dude 😂.

[@ColeSpolaric]

Wow!

[@fordenginebuildersv8power184]

LOL!!

[@TheKumLokk]

And the community likes you

[@davetaylor8614]

Scott, when I saw you take a belt sander to that plumb axe I cringed deep in my soul. Blasphemy horror of horrors! Mine now sits on a shelf in my office because at 71 it's time to watch the kids frame and try to be macho! Yet I still buy hammers! Because one should never be without as everything in life is a nail.

[@pickleeggs3340]

😍😜

[@jx14aby]

The devil is in the details.

[@xploration1437]

Meow

[@pamelah6431]

-Tucker Carlson