Stanley has been working on some new high-performance vibration dampening compounds for well over a year now, and so it’s not a surprise that they have a whole new line of AntiVibe hammers ready to roll out.
My experience with Stanley’s AntiVibe hammers are limited to a 3-lb drilling hammer and a Bostitch steel hammer that I absolutely hate with every fiber of my being. The Bostitch hammer has this horrible tuning fork vibration dampening design that rings louder and louder with each nail strike.
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Granted striking a nail with a hammer isn’t a quiet activity itself, but I can do without having incessant high-pitched ringing added on top of it.
Luckily, the new AntiVibe hammers seem to be designed to isolate and dampen vibrations via newly designed composite material handles.
For casual nailing tasks, I prefer to use an Estwing steel-handled hammer. According to related data provided by Stanley, my favored Estwing hammer handle has comparable vibration dampening performance to the single-piece Bostitch AntiVibe hammer handle I loathe so much. The new materials Stanley was working on a year ago had much higher performance than both of these hammers’ handles, and even titanium framing hammers.
The diagram here could be a little misleading, as it seems to compare just the in-development dampening compounds to hammer handle assemblies, which are sometimes multi-layered as in the case of these new AntiVibe hammers. In any case, Stanley seems convinced enough that the new compounds offer enough improvement to justify revamping their [entire?] AntiVibe hammer lineup.
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As long as the new Stanley AntiVibe hammers don’t assault my hearing with high pitched squeals, I’m open to giving them a try.
One additional change that I am glad to see is that Stanley enhanced their axe-style handles a bit. Instead of the back end part of the handle being a little knobby, it’s flattened (in regard to the absence of a rear bump) and curved forward a bit, creating a more ergonomic-looking sweet spot for your hand.
The new hammers will be available in an assortment of sizes.
AntiVibe Hammers(via Amazon)
mike
Ill have to scope these out when I can,I like my Bostitch branded anti vibe framer. Have also owned one of the first gen stanley fatmax anti vibe hammers. I agree this handle style looks much nice to use.
Kati
I was wondering what your occupation was and how you enjoyed the hammer. I am considering purchasing it for a friend of mine and wondered on your experience.
Kati
LORDDiESEL (GJ Forum)
I only buy American made hammers. I’m sure one of them will bring one out to combat this one.
mnoswad1
why does everything have to look like a spaceship now?
i really wish americans would demand quality and features over gimmicky marketing in our products and advertising. Yes anti vibe is a feature, but more time went into this hammers looks than anything else.
LORDDiESEL (GJ Forum)
I have a DDT 16 Dalluge titanium hammer. The handle is wood and it doesn’t shock or vibrate my hand/arm at all. It’s good old American hickory and the head is cast and finished in the USA.
I don’t know if i buy all this anti vibe new school tech.
james
still not a stiletto tried tons of other hammers and nothing comes close to my TBII
Gary T.
Hey Stuart, I know this is an old post but I thought I’d let you know about this new Stanley fatmax hammer. I just bought the nailing hammer (14 oz) version of it and I like it. The handle is comfortable and it doesn’t make a tuning fork vibration sound when you are using it. My Estwing ultra hammer makes that sound and it is annoying. The one thing is I wish it had was a nail starter holder, this feature is only on the framing hammer version (17 oz).
Kati
Hi Gary, I just read your post. I am in the process of purchasing this hammer for a friend and I see you found it to be satisfied with it. May I ask what your occupation is and if you use this for work? Thank You.
Zachary Curtis
I am in a all day co-op program called Building careers from the ground up. Recently DeWalt, Stanley, Bostitch and other companies decided to sponsor our program. DeWalt, Stanley and Bostitch donated next years not even released power tools, hand tools and pouches! one of those tools is THIS hammer. Now I don’t have the money for a stiletto (I’ve tried my teachers though) but the second I held this hammer my heart stopped and I fell in love. I own one of Stanley’s current generation fatmax hammers and trust me when I say it doesn’t even come close to this work of art. The new fatmax is so light yet a real heavy hitter! the axe handle grip hasn’t change to much from my current gen fatmax but the balance of this hammer is so different from mine. My hammer feels like a toy after using this master piece. The nail starter serves it’s purpose on both hammers and works equally well on both. I’m telling you this is nipping at the heels of a stiletto.
dave
I used and enjoyed three different Stiletto titanium hammers but eventually sold them just because I couldn’t ever go anywhere with JUST a titanium since I just couldn’t bring myself to do certain tasks with a $200 hammer that I would with a steel hammer. I got the DeWalt Mig 15 framer which is an AWESOME hammer. It was $40 or so and I use it like it’s my worst enemy. I don’t care if it gets chewed up. I also went back to using my original Stanley AntiVibe hammer (when it first came out, before they started putting that dumb gray coating on it and before they started grinding the claw tips so badly). That’s really a great hammer too. I will be getting one of these new AntiVibes if they come out in a 12oz.
tycoon shin
I am a union carpenter and i purchased this hammer from Lowe’s. Used it for 3 months, i loved it great balance, very light, sinks nails wonderfully, magentic holder worked beautifully, great vibration reduction. But alas flawed design makes the head come loose. Amazon reviews are all the same. Even a coworker purchased one as well, same deal.
Great hammer, but flawed design.
Hopefully they improve upon it.
Renato
When looking at the design, I have to say I don’t have trust in it.
A hammer’s main use is to bang/hammer things hard .Nails, wood ,etc.
Impact.
I have more faith in the one piece steel handle and head construction .
The more gadgets and gimmicks, the more things get easily damages broken or loosened.
A wheel is most effective in it’s most simple form.
Round.
Il troppo e nemico del giusto.
More is the enemy of enough.
Enough.