I am putting together a DIY tool kit for a newly married relative, and found myself short a 16oz nail hammer.
This Craftsman model, CMHT51398, looks perfect, and it’s just $6.99 on Amazon with free Prime shipping.
Amazon’s estimate says the hammer will be delivered later this month, and I’ll need it sooner. That’s a bummer, as this seems like a really good deal.
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I bought a lot of claw hammers for market education a few years ago – I wanted to more closely example how a broad range of different brands built their hammers – and am sure I can spare one.
I don’t know how many ToolGuyd regulars are in the market for a basic hammer, but I figured it was worth a quick post to give you the heads-up.
The Craftsman hammer features a curved claw, for pulling nails and light prying tasks, and fiberglass handle with rubber grip.
It has overstrike protection near the top of the handle, a part of the hammer that’s prone to abuse.
There are other brand-name hammers in the sub-$10 price range, but most are very basic.
Lowe’s has this same Craftsman hammer for $11. Home Depot has a very similar Stanley for $9.
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You’re not quite saving the 50% that’s advertised on Amazon’s product page, but $7 definitely looks to be a couple of dollars less than it usually sells for.
Craftsman backs this hammer with a full lifetime warranty.
Price: $7
If you’re frowning at this deal, I’ve got a challenge for you – recommend a better brand-name alternative for under $10.
I’m not certain as to how I feel about fiberglass hammers. My first self-bought hammer had a wood handle. If I had to do it again today, this model would be more enticing. Fiberglass hammer handles seem to fit in somewhere between wood and steel.
What’d I buy for myself right now? I’d be between Dewalt 12oz and 16oz steel-handle hammers, but that’s because I know my needs and preferences well. For someone that doesn’t quite know what they need, this Craftsman looks to be a good option at 1/3 the price.
Al
Good price for a basic hammer. I’d also look at a white rubber mallet or a non-marring dead blow…but a cheap one. Not like a Trusty Cook. Hammers tend to ding Ikea furniture. That’s probably the most common mis-use of a hammer in DIY.
I had a yellow and black Stanley hammer with a fiberglass handle for a decade. It was a lot lighter and cheaper than an Estwing. It did the job.
I’d also consider a basic nail punch. Cheap. When you need one, there isn’t a good substitute. Don’t get chromed.
Koko The Talking Ape
Like a nail set? I’ve always used a 3″ fluted masonry nail. The steel is harder and tougher than ordinary nails, and the sharp tip doesn’t slide on nail heads.
I guess you can’t use ordinary steel nails or nail sets on stainless steel nails, because the ordinary steel causes the SS to deteriorate somehow?
TomD
I’d say get the mallet and a catspaw and NO hammer. Anyone can find or buy a hammer but if all they have is a hammer 🔨 they’re not going to get a mallet, and for many many jobs around the house the mallet is the right tool, not the hammer.
fred
For assembly work I really like Sorbothane mallets – just enough “punch” without marring even pine:
https://www.amazon.com/Isolate-Sorbothane-Soft-blow-Automotive-Cabinetry/dp/B002SRS86Q
Maurice
Always love your commentary, Fred. Thank you.
Goodie
Love this thread. Everyone knows what a claw hammer is. Those who work with them for a while know a mallet is a much more useful tool. That and a castle (as recommended below) are the right purchases for someone just getting into tools.
Goodie
Castle = cat’s paw. Autocorrect sucks.
Nathan
Hard to beat 7 dollars but I might consider a better hammer just for ergonomics. Like a modern steel shaft longer handle model. But again I rarely if ever use a hammer
Maybe get a nail set to go qith
Jimmy
Chi-com hammers are too “pingy” for me, like the steel is too hard. Nothing like the “thwack” of a Vaughan. I’d spend the 20 bucks for the Vaughan D016, buy once, cry once.
Blocky
Buy it for life
Jimmy
Exactly!
Big Richard
Agreed; poorly made in China and looks as if this would be broken in less than a year if not sooner with heavy use. Fifty years ago I bought myself a Estwing smooth face hammer and even after half a century the tool is as good in condition as I bought with some cosmetic usage. This “hammer” wouldn’t last half a century.
Estwing, Vaughan, Trusty Cook, Boss, Hardcore Hammers are solid American made hammers that while not cheap; they aren’t low quality Chinese made junk.
I’ve been in the trades all of my life and I take my work seriously. Cheap tools have no place in my professional business and I don’t do “cheap” work either.
Jared
It’s a $7 hammer.
If you break it in a year with “heavy use”, you clearly bought the wrong hammer.
I don’t think Stuart is recommending this as the BEST hammer, or the “only hammer you’ll ever need”. This is for someone who is hanging some picture frames, maybe needs to tap some Ikea dowels into position, drive a nail or two a couple times a year or other light assembly tasks. It seems about perfect for that use case to me.
The handle isn’t going to shrink, the head won’t come loose, if you do manage to break it – well, it’s a $7 hammer with a lifetime warranty.
My mom has a very similar-looking Stanley fiberglass handled hammer in her tool kit. Probably at least 20 years old and she’s never felt the need to upgrade. The 16oz size is probably a bit large for her needs.
ITCD
You forgot Stiletto, Martinez, Nupla, even Snap-on has a claw hammer.
Marc
I have a Craftsman fiberglass handled claw hammer for about 30 years now. Still going strong. The fiberglass tends to bounce / vibrate more than a wood or steel handle. But it has served its purpose reliably as a DIY hammer. I have both a wood and steel hammer. But I tend to use the fiberglass handled hammer most. It’s a little lighter and swings well. But again, I just have used it for odd DIY jobs like modeling my basement and a few bathrooms, plus odd jobs. The wood hammer is my second choice. I only use the steel hammer for prying mostly because it has a straight claw.
Nathan
If not a nail set then maybe a pry bar. Or a cheap rubber mallet. I’m don’t know
Have you picked out everything else?
fred
The Stanley may be the same hammer with different color scheme – TOS at Amazon but $7.52 at ToolUp and $6.99 at some other stores:
https://www.toolup.com/Stanley-STHT51457-16-oz-Fiberglass-Hammer
HF Pittsburg has one they say is on sale for $3.93 which is what might be OK for one of those college-room toolbags.
I can’t imagine that they are any better than the Craftsman – but I still have a preference for wood handles on a 13oz or 16oz hammer for general homeowner use. The hammer that I grab most often is an old Stanley 100-Plus 13oz. But buying it for $29 on the antique market seems like a waste of money.
https://www.jimbodetools.com/products/stanley-100-plus-13-ounce-no-102-claw-hammer-with-decal-76212
Eric
For a basic tool kit I would rather have a rip claw since it’s a lot more versatile than a curved claw. But looking at pricing I would rather have the $7 hammer and a wonder bar than just a rip claw hammer. Also looks like HD has the stanley version in stock. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-16-oz-Fiberglass-Hammer-STHT51457/310616272
Jim
We all seem to lament the closing of American tool companies.
I for one, will put my money where my mouth is, and buy something like a Vaughan or Eastwing hammer before I’ll buy a Chinese tool from Amazon.
Just one man’s opinion.
fred
Good thought – but the Estwing hammers may be better suited to construction carpenters who like the feel of their all-steel design,
https://www.amazon.com/ESTWING-Hammer-Curved-Smooth-Reduction/dp/B00002N5NA/
With Vaughan – the choices in 16oz are limited to ripping-claw hammers
https://www.amazon.com/Vaughan-FS99-Fiberglass-Straight-Ripping/dp/B00004Z2X2
notinuse
How about this 16 oz. Vaughn with a hardwood handle at Home Depot?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vaughan-16-oz-Carbon-Steel-Hammer-with-13-in-Hardwood-Handle-DO16/302202887
KMR
I recently was searching for a new 5lb pick mattock. Searched and searched for a USA made unit and stumbled on an Estwing branded one, which claimed to be made in the USA for ~$52 on Amazon.
It isn’t made by Estwing. Estwing licenses their name and colors, and the pick mattock was actually produced by Groz, which is an Indian company. Groz produces Estwing branded axes, picks, sledgehammers, etc. I was able to confirm that the Estwing/Groz 5lb pick mattock did use a forged steel head that was sourced from India, so that leaves the fiberglass handle that could still be USA made and that probably gives them enough “lee way” for the “Made in USA” COO.
Finding USA made hand tools at a reasonable price is getting difficult, and brand licensing of established and respected brands muddies the waters further. I ended up with a Collins Axe produced 5lb pick mattock, which is produced in Mexico. Not as good as made in the USA, but I’ll take that over Made in China, and I’ll put it on par with Made in India but still slightly preferable for my tastes.
JR Ramos
Forestry Suppliers still has stock of the Razor for about the same price. I thought Warwood might have some but it looks like they’ve trimmed offerings…they do have clay picks and pulaskis and adzes but no mattock styles anymore.
https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/p/33255/81522/razor-back-safe-lock-5-lb-pick-mattock
If you can find an old full size military one, it’s likely it was made by Warwood.
JR Ramos
I “got to” use a 4lb Groz hand sledge for a couple days…it actually seemed pretty decent. Generally, I don’t like most of the steel things India produces and even after all these years it’s still very hit and miss, but Groz seems to be sourcing decent products. Their c-clamps are pretty good and whoever makes the “Boa” type drill press vises that Groz also sells under their name does a really great job with those. The Groz machinist squares, blocks, angles, etc. are junk (ok for verrrry casual use).
Stuart
Different people have different needs.
I believe my first hammer was a basic wood-handled Craftsman. The more tools one needs and doesn’t have, the more cautious they need to be with their spending.
I’ve started to place tool kits where I need them. If I needed a hammer in a travel tool kit, it wouldn’t make sense to buy a duplicate of an Estwing, steel-handled Dewalt, Stiletto, Martinez, or similar.
Plenty users’ needs are well-served with a $7 hammer, especially one with a lifetime warranty.
JR Ramos
You’re going to laugh at me but unless they are actually driving nails in timber and needing to pull them, I would sooner buy someone one of these little steel faced deadblow hammers than a nail hammer (and if a nail hammer I would opt for a small rip and teach them the riser/leverage trick…or add a small wonder bar to the bag instead).
For a young user with a drill, nails probably won’t see much favor, but this little dual hammer probably will. Prices on Amazon are ridiculous but I’ve gifted probably a dozen of these now and people love them, usually bought locally for $5 to $8 under either the Hawk or SE brand labels, sometimes Cal-Hawk if they’re still around.
I wish they made one just a tad larger but the next step up is too large for most people to enjoy as a do-all around the house. The 12oz advertised is closer to the total weight of the hammer, not head weight – usable for smaller nails in timber but not a carpentry driver of course. Great for assembling cheap furniture and not marring the drywall when setting simple anchors.
https://www.amazon.com/12oz-Alloy-Hammer-Metalsmith-Bench/dp/B000RB3WPC/
https://www.amazon.com/Dual-Head-Construction-Ergonomic-Non-Slip-Woodwork/dp/B00VUG4ID8
As for the Craftsman, I don’t think you can beat that deal. I think this is a time where I would a) consider a good used hammer from a pawn shop or Ebay, or b) consider spending more on a US made small model from Vaughan like the little pro (10oz rip I think, or 12oz) or the standard…start the kid off with some idea of supporting domestic tool manufacturers which is hard to do now with affordable hammers.
fred
You hit the nail on the head (pun intended). An apartment dweller might have use for a hammer – but more to pound on things, for assembly, drive in tacks to hang pictures or pull the odd small brad or tack. An old-style tack hammer (like my Stanley 601) or a cats paw could do these tasks.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/264954890636
https://www.amazon.com/Spec-Ops-High-Carbon-Donated-Veterans/dp/B089SQ6BHM/
Alexk
I’d pick up this hammer if it was in store at this price.
I can’t remember the last time I took out a box of nails, but I always have a hammer in my kit and it gets used regularly.
I’m also going to buy a Vaughn after reading some of the comments. I’m okay paying a bit more for an American made tool. What isn’t an option for me is being able to buy woodpecker or other tools at those prices.
Al
I carried a Nupla 89714 Handi Handleless Hammer on small wiring jobs. People tended to freak out whenever they saw a hammer, drill, grinder, saw, etc come out from the guy they thought was a computer geek. I had one person actually ask me “Do you know how to use that?”
It has a soft face, hard face, and some shot in the middle to make it deadblow.
It hits just like the bottom of a cordless drill battery. (The pro’s #1 hammer.)
Smaller in the bag. Hard to do any real damage.
Al
Nupla 89714 Handi-Hammer Power Drive Heavy Duty Handleless Hammer with 1 Non-Marring Soft and Steel Face https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TIRZLK
fred
I have an older (25 years old) Nupla Thumper (#10-004). Same concept but 10oz instead of 14oz.
Halder also make ones in Germany that they call drop mallets. They come in various sizes:
https://www.amazon.com/Halder-USA-Drop-Mallet-3408-02/dp/B00D17P7MU/
Koko The Talking Ape
Do they still make those? I was looking for one and couldn’t find it.
Koko The Talking Ape
I meant the Nupla (darn it).
Koko The Talking Ape
Dammit, I shoulda looked at your link first. Never mind!
fred
I don’t think Nupla still makes the 10oz. one – but here’s the 14oz. listed:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nupla-Compact-Dead-Blow-14-oz-Handi-Hammer-89714/202953621
JR Ramos
I had one of those and sadly it was stolen along with some other stuff. I loved it. Unique little tool that always seemed to cost about four times what it should but damn it was handy. I never bought a replacement as the two local places at that point didn’t have Nupla anymore. Reminds me, though, I have an old 18oz deadblow that the rubber head covering melted away from (my god what a mess)…I may dig that out, cut the handle away, figure out some ends and cover it with thick heat shrink to make a short fat Nupla.
Koko The Talking Ape
For a long time I was going to make one from a short section of cast iron pipe threaded on both ends, called a “nipple”, and two caps, filled with steel shot. Then I decided a handle would be good thing, so I got a T fitting and two couplers. The caps required some grinding on a belt sander to take away the rough texture and the logos. Now all it needs is a handle. 🙂
Jimmy
Fred, actually no, the Vaughan D016 for 20 bucks i mentioned is a curved claw:
https://www.amazon.com/Vaughan-Bushnell-D016-Octagon-Hickory/dp/B00004Z2WT/
fred
Good to be corrected! When I looked on Vaughan’s web site I did not see this one. Amazon comes through again.
Wayne R.
This morning, for the first time in a long time, I bought an Egg McMuffin. That thing was almost the same price as this hammer. I don’t understand what’s going on.
fred
It may say something about what production costs are like in China. Whoever makes it for SBD/Craftsman is able to produce it and ship it and allow SBD to warehouse it then sell it to HD to meet a final price to the consumer of $6.99. That’s with everyone along the entire chain making their bit of profit.
With food products there may be more wastage/spoilage along the McD chain than what HD needs to account for “shrinkage” (aka theft) – and there is the modicum of hands-on labor needed to at the griddle to make your breakfast order. But it does show how inflation has impacted our eating-out habits – even when its fast food. While you see some stories about how the fast-food sector has been struggling with inflation – McD’s first quarter (2024) earnings per share were up 9% over 2023. I guess they sold a lot of egg McMuffins etc. at prices that kept the money rolling in.
JR Ramos
The chickens unionized.
MattW.
Stanley 16oz wood handle at hd for 7 dollar range works great and has a better flatter claw.
J.C.
I can’t beat the $10 price but if you have a Menards near you, you might come close.
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/hand-tools/hammers/vaughan-bushnell-20-oz-fiberglass-framing-rip-hammer/fs999/p-1444445689472-c-9143.htm?exp=false
I know this isn’t an “average” hammer. It’s a framing hammer and it’s also a 20oz so a bit heavier. That can come in handy at times but it depends on the individual. These were 13.xx at Menards and now they are down to 11.99 if you don’t do the rebate. That’s a fantastic price for a fiberglass Vaughan hammer.
Joe E.
They could offer that “Craftsman” hammer for free along with a $7 off coupon. I still wouldn’t buy anything from SBD’s Craftsman brand.
I’ve never held so much disdain for a tool brand before. I wish it had just died along with Sears so I didn’t have to witness the disgusting abomination it has become.
Jimmy
They also pulled the plug on the Vaughan-made Craftsman hammers that everyone loved, and “replaced” them with these things.
Walt Bordett
Amen to that. I have my father’s 1950’s Vaughn made Craftsman branded rip claw hammer. It is now on its third handle, and it is still a great tool.
If you have time to search and time to clean them up, good used USA tools can be found at yard sales for low prices.
Terry
Picked up a Craftsman Metric Socket Set today at my local Lowe’s. Craftsman CMMT12110LZ. Lowe’s SKU 5393284. Their website shows $30.98 on sale for $26.98 but at my store it was marked with a yellow clearance tag for $13.87. Might be worth looking for if you’re at Lowe’s.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-24-Piece-Metric-Polished-Chrome-Mechanics-Tool-Set-with-Hard-Case/5014463511