ESTWING BIG BLUE Framing Hammer - 25 oz USA Made Straight Rip Claw Hammer with Forged Steel Construction & Shock Reduction Grip - E3-25SM

This review is specifically for the E3‐25SM 25oz 18" long handle "framing" hammer. First off this is not a true "framing hammer" in that, if you were going to hand frame a structure with a hammer alone you would probably want to use something with a hickory or fiberglass handle to save your elbow! If you are framing with a nailer this hammer is a perfect "framing" hammer but far more versatile than a true framing hammer like the classic Vaughn 999, with its small barrel head that is perfect for toe-nailing sticks together, or the Vaughn Blue Max "Cali" pattern framer with with the wider face that is not so suited to toe-nailing, but with the magnet in the head to hold a nail for starting it. The things that set this apart from other hammers: First off the all metal construction of the head and handle of Ewsting hammers - this type of hammer is as good at knocking sinker nails through studs, or roofing, as it is at beating holes in lathe plaster walls. It is as good as construction as it is demo. One of the things said in the trades is no matter what hammer you start swinging, you end up with an Estwing. These hammers can sustain drops onto hard surfaces, like the edge of a CMU block from a roof and remain completely unhurt. Miss-hit a nail - no biggie. The grip is also virtually indestructible. I have never had on fail under use. Second is the length of the handle. At 18" this guy is long. You may find its a back-of-your-leg slapper in a tool belt if you have your hammer loop at the rear, but the extra reach and leverage of the handle is great for driving nails as well as pulling stubborn "twisty" nails left in framing. Once you master the added 3" of the 18" handle you will find this will hit sinkers are hard as a 2lb mall with a 16" handle. The added value of the one piece construction is that, when pulling a 3 1/2" twisty nail in framing you do not have to worry about the leverage on the head pulling the handle loose! The only think that comes close to the ruggedness of this one piece metal design is the Plumb "Permabond" handles. The added length is also great for using the claw for grabbing stick lumber to position it or to get a sheet of plywood separated from the stack laying on the ground when you are standing. The only downside for some will be the length.

Great hammer for larger jobs.

Great price and got it fast

It is Heavy and way overbuilt! And The Quality is far superior than the ones that have wood handles. This is my all around go to general purpose Hammer Mine is emitting a high pitched clinging metal sound when striked and hit the nails even when hitting the wood.

Do these have a lifetime warranty? 3-4 years on a construction job is considered good quality.

This hammer is the best for fraeming jobs and carpenter jobs! Its long and the wwight is perfect

As far as I’m concerned, this hammer is the best for all around heavy nailing. The added length certainly gives extra leverage, for hammering and prying. Its is comfortable, and quite durable. An excellent value for my money. I expect it, with this company. I own many tools by Estwing. Too notch. Recommended. Thanks!

This is Jody's husband reviewing this hammer. Stop, hammertime. Back in the 90's I was a framer in AZ, I framed a lot of walls. I had an Estwing hammer AT my side and it was awesome. I moved to Chile and took it with. I did a lot of hammering. About a year and a half ago, that Estwing was either built into a wall by the knob doing the tile work or, it grew legs and walked off with one of the workers. Either way, it was gone. I ordered this hammer and it finally made it down here and into my hand. I immediately finished hammering off the FU wall I had to build to block the neighbors who built a third world compound on the property line in the middle of nowhere Chile. Why? Why? Why build so close to your neighbors with nothing but beach and farmland all around? Now, we had to build another house in the mountains with more of a buffer zone...a chalet of solitude, if you will. And we will, soon. This hammer is awesomer than it's predecessor. That's right, awesomer! It freaken pings every time you hit a nail. It pings like a tuning fork. I am impressed.