In case you’re like most individuals, you obtain a normal claw hammer as soon as way back and by no means thought a lot about its weight or design. I used to be like that for a very long time, too, however I seen that each time I labored on a undertaking involving plenty of hammering, my arm would get fatigued shortly, and the final half of the work could be a distress. I not too long ago fell down a little bit of a rabbit gap relating to hammers—the totally different weights and types-and determined it was time to splurge a bit and purchase a titanium hammer (particularly, this one). It was the most effective purchases I’ve made not too long ago.

Titanium vs. metal hammer

Most hammers are comprised of metal, with both a fiberglass or wooden deal with. They get the job performed—metal is a superb materials for a hammer, and it’ll final a very long time. I nonetheless have an previous metal hammer handed down from my father; it has a nail bent over the top on the high to carry it in place, but it surely nonetheless works. And metal hammers are fairly low cost—this 16 ounce mannequin from Estwing is simply $25 as I write this. You’ll be able to’t beat that value for a device that can in all probability final a long time.

The issue with low cost metal hammers is the pressure they put your physique by. In case you use your hammer yearly, you’ll by no means discover. However once I began doing work round the home regularly, I started to really feel it: My arm would get drained, and my elbow and shoulder would ache just a little after a number of hours. Metal doesn’t take in the impression of every strike very effectively, and transmits it to your arm. You’ll be able to reduce that impression just a little with anti-vibration wraps or grips, but it surely’s by no means going to go away fully.

Fed up with struggling by each undertaking, I did some analysis and splurged on a titanium TiBone 10-Oz. Trimbone hammer—and it’s labored out amazingly effectively. The TiBone is simply 10 ounces, however as a result of it’s titanium, it has the identical placing power—the power it delivers to the nail—as a a lot heavier metal mannequin. In different phrases, no matter weight hammer you’re used to swinging, you may go a lot lighter with a titanium hammer. That’s much less weight to swing, and fewer pressure in your arm.

The Trimbone has a number of different options I like—you may swap out the face and grip simply, so it is going to last more and is extra versatile for various jobs, it has a aspect nail-puller and a magnetic nail starter, and the grip is snug. However it’s primarily the lighter weight with out sacrificing efficiency that I (and my shoulder) like. It’s particularly a framing hammer, however I discover it’s terrific as a general-purpose hammer for many jobs.

The large draw back is value. It’s at present $370.49, which is, you might discover, nearly 15 occasions costlier than the peerlessly good metal hammer I referenced above. You may be capable of discover it cheaper someplace with just a little effort, however it is going to nonetheless be an order of magnitude costlier. For me, it was value the fee—I haven’t wanted to take a bunch of ibuprofen after working all day since I purchased it. In case you’re additionally scuffling with arm fatigue along with your present hammer, it is perhaps time to contemplate the improve.