Vintage Estwing Hammer

A hammer is, closely followed by a screwdriver, one of the tools you will most likely find at everyone’s house. Most wouldn’t give their hammer a second look. But this can be changed easily.

The Estwing family probably makes the best hammers you can buy. Founded in 1923 by Ernest O. Estwing (a Swedish immigrant), they still manufacture their hammers in Rockford, Illinois. I love that it says on their website that they want to make “attractive striking” tools. What a great company goal. I was happy when I found this Rip Hammer a few month ago at the Long Beach Antique Market.

Estwing Hammer

Estwing Hammer

With this hammer, head and handle are forged out of one piece. This makes it extremely robust, ensuring that you don’t have to fear the head flying off. The grip is made of thin leather discs, which not only makes the hammer particularly ‘attractive’, it’s also a great way to absorb shock. Estwing’s design prevents the discs from coming loose by pushing them into a triple-circle shaped pattern in the steel.

I’m still trying to find out what year my hammer was made, but thankfully they still make them today.

Bottom of Handle of Hammer

Hammer Head Side View

Handle of Vintage Hammer

Vintage Estwing Hammer

I’ve never seen a hammer with such a narrow neck.

Leather Grip of Estwing Hammer

8 Comments

  1. vaughn
    Posted December 1, 2009 at 11:47 pm | Permalink

    I “bought” an Estwing hatchet probably 40 years ago using S&H Greenstamps. (Extra credit if you know what those are without looking, and the big prize if you remember using them…) I love my hatchet, still have the sheath for it too. Great products, hell, maybe it’s time for another…

  2. hal
    Posted December 1, 2009 at 11:48 pm | Permalink

    Excellent choice. I’ve used a few hammers in my life, but none better than an Estwing. It feels light in the hand and very balanced, but it seems to strike with greater force than heavier hammers. I don’t know why that is, but that’s the way it feels.

  3. Posted December 2, 2009 at 1:21 am | Permalink

    Vaughn, I want to see a picture a picture of your hatchet, if you have one, send it to me (sebastian(at)kaufmann-mercantile(dot)com). I didn’t not know about the S&H green stamps, but I grew up in Germany which puts me a bit in a disadvantage. Ha. They are worth a story of their own. So interesting. Thanks, S.

  4. Posted December 2, 2009 at 1:26 am | Permalink

    Hal, I agree. Maybe it’s think the thin neck that makes the difference. It feels so aerodynamic – I’m not sure if there is any scientific proof for it. S.

  5. Vaughn Wascovich
    Posted March 9, 2010 at 8:42 pm | Permalink

    One of the interesting delights of growing older, is a sketchy memory…so when I saw the Estwing hammer, I thought, gee, I have to comment about my hatchet… then I see that I already have. Yes, I will send a pic or two of my Estwing. In the time since my previous post, I did manage to buy several hammers- though I have plenty- but wanted some of the Estwings after a very disappointing trip to home Depot.

  6. joshua kepler
    Posted July 8, 2010 at 6:19 pm | Permalink

    I recently found this exact era hammer at the Goodwill in St.Paul MN…..it was laying there in the tool bin with a $2.99 price tag on it….almost if the hammer had found me, I was instantly attracted to it. Recognizing it’s class, superior craftsmanship and authenticity I knew I had to buy it. (as if there was any doubt)..then after bringing it home I decided to research it a little , leading me to your page.
    Glad to see I’m not the only super handyman tool geek out there.

  7. Posted July 28, 2010 at 9:16 am | Permalink

    nice hammer,where can i buy a old used ESTWING HAMMER,REGARDS Paula.

  8. Posted July 29, 2010 at 5:54 am | Permalink

    Hello Paula, I buy all my vintage tools at flea markets – this is also where i bought this Estwing hammer. You may also want to try ebay. I also know of several websites that specialize in selling vintage tools:
    - http://www.wktools.com
    - http://www.antique-used-tools.com
    - http://www.roseantiquetools.com

    But I haven’t used any of these so I couldn’t recommend one over the other. Good luck!

    Sebastian

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