My framing crew switched from a standard 20 oz hammer to a titanium one this spring

We were doing a big custom home job in Bend, and the boss brought in a couple of titanium hammers for us to try. I was sure it was just a fancy gimmick. After swinging my old steel hammer for about two hours, my arm would start to feel it. The first day with the titanium one, I didn't get that same tired feeling until after lunch. The big difference is the weight and the shock. The titanium head is so much lighter, but it drives a nail just as hard because of how it's balanced. My buddy said it felt like 'cheating'. After three weeks on that job, none of us wanted to go back. Has anyone else made a switch like that and been really surprised by how much it helped?

3 comments

3 Comments

wright.taylor28d ago

That "swing weight" idea is everywhere once you look for it. My good kitchen knife feels heavy in the hand but light at the blade, so it doesn't tire you out chopping. It's just smart design, not a gimmick.

masonm8519d ago

Yeah, that "swing weight" thing is real. I got a hammer like that and it just feels right, doesn't fight you. Wright.taylor is onto something with the knife comparison, it's the same idea.

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max33029d ago

You mentioned the titanium head being lighter, but that's only part of it. The real trick is the swing weight. A good titanium hammer moves the weight down into the handle, so the head feels light but the whole tool has momentum. It's like the difference between swinging a baseball bat by the barrel or the knob. Your arm doesn't fight to control it as much.