My Hammer

[formariz 11,987]

 A reply in another thread  by@Kenneth R Cluley brought back memories . Not that they were forgotten since they are a big part of who and what I am as a human being but it just made me realize them more and appreciate how destiny has blessed my life.

 I too have tools that were given to me that I am lucky to have and remind me of those individuals     be they family or others. Most of those individuals are the ones that either thought me all that I know or inspired me to learn and emulate them. It was not however always about woodworking. It was countless times about life and life lessons. Much of that was in my 20s many things taking a few years for me to mature and really understand what I was taught. 
 

So, this is my hammer. It was given to me by my friend Zev in the day that he retired as he said goodbye. He acquired it when he came to US from Europe in the late 40s. He was a Holocaust survivor and had a long number tattooed inside his left wrist. I worked with him for about two years but in that short time I learned things that would change and shape my life. Things such as the value of human life and dignity. Respect and tolerance for others differences and beliefs. Heard stories of unimaginable suffering and cruelty. Two years that would change a lifetime. As he handed me his hammer his last statement that he so many times had said “Remember, do the right thing even though it may be bad for you”. I have and never regretted it.  I have used his hammer since that very day. It is on my bench all the time it has never left my side in over 40 years now. It’s future and continuity of its story are already assured. 
It’s of course inconsequential what type of hammer it is but it is a second generation Estwing. 
 

 

Edited February 10, 2022 by formariz

[ebinmaine 67,545]

Interesting how we take in a pile of info and file it for later. 

I was 42 when I realized it's ok for me to be me and mature to the person I know today. 

 

2 hours ago, formariz said:

“Remember, do the right thing even though it may be bad for you”.

I agree with the general sentiment there but I'd modify it a tad. 

Do the right thing and try your best to make it right for everyone. 

 

It shouldn't be ok to sacrifice the good of one for the good of another. Sometimes it's an unavoidable but there's usually a half decent solution if we take a look from a different angle.  

 

 

2 hours ago, formariz said:

Respect and tolerance for others differences and beliefs

 

Words to live by right there. 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,586]

[AMC RULES 37,130]

 Looks nothing like my hammer.  

[Achto 27,594]

4 hours ago, formariz said:

but it is a second generation Estwing.

 

I have one of those old Estwing's that my grand father had & then my dad used while working construction. It's been used so much that the leather rings are warn off the handle. I now have some newer Estwings (24oz framing & a 16oz claw both with the shock reduction grip) but I still keep Dads old one around.

[EB-80/8inPA 1,645]

23 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

It's been used so much that the leather rings are warn off the handle.

Pic?

Edited February 10, 2022 by EB-80/8inPA

[Achto 27,594]

4 minutes ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

Pic?

 

I'll try to remember to get one when I get home from work today.

[EB-80/8inPA 1,645]

3 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

I'll try to remember to get one when I get home from work today.

Thanks, I imagine that thing has character, would like to see.

[ebinmaine 67,545]

41 minutes ago, AMC RULES said:

 Looks nothing like my hammer.  

Craig old buddy we got a fair selection here. Stop by anytime and you can use whatever ones you want...

 

Most are here. 

 

 

Got a few more in the outdoor workshop and more than one hanging for display only ... none of ours have the character or history that Cas' has...

[953 nut 55,269]

5 hours ago, formariz said:

Respect and tolerance for others differences and beliefs.

Character is the most important thing in anyone's tool box.           

[Pullstart 62,905]

The story Cas… brings the hammer along with it.  But what a beautiful story with or without the hammer.  It sure is an awesome reminder though.  

[rmaynard 15,491]

My dad had a similar hammer. I'm going say it was a Stanley. I first remember it back in the 1950's. I left home in 1968 and started to gather my own tools as a homeowner in the mid-1970's. Dad gave me some tools to get me started and among them was his old hammer. I never thought anything about except that I knew it was old. But, I was amazed that the hand-wrapped rawhide grip was still in good shape. I don't remember what every happened to that hammer except that I no longer have it. 

[rjg854 11,372]

I have a set of those leather handled Estwings, a 20oz., 16 oz. and a 12 oz..  Thanks to dear old Dad.  He used them throughout his career, and I used them through my own.  Not sure where they'll end up once I'm out of the way.

[Handy Don 12,232]

Thanks, @formariz for sharing that story.

Most of the folks on this forum, I suspect, relate strongly to the tools we use in our work and in our hobbies. They are valuable in their own right for how in our hands they extend our human abilities but so much more treasured, as you regularly remind us, when they have been in important hands before ours.

I was once told when hunting for job that the most important thing on my resume would be my thumb. In other words, that I would be personally handing it over and to use that opportunity wisely. I think Zev used that same advice for his hammer.

[Achto 27,594]

10 hours ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

Thanks, I imagine that thing has character, would like to see.

 

Surprisingly my memory held up for 10hrs. 

 

Here is the pictures that you requested. Well used but the business end is still in good shape. A little duct tape was added some where along the line to hold the leather rings down towards the end of the handle.

 

 

[formariz 11,987]

The issue with the leather rings on the Estwings is always caused by the same thing. The white plastic rings break and fall off. The leather rings are then loose and start drying, deteriorating , and wearing eventually breaking and falling. They should also never get wet. I condition this one often with saddle soap keeping them soft and pliable. They are still as tight as when first manufactured.  Zev loved this thing and so do I.

[formariz 11,987]

Once in a while one may also have to peen the two rivets on the bottom a little keeping the rings snug.

Edited February 10, 2022 by formariz

[roadapples 6,983]

I can combine this and your previous post. When I  was young, can't remember what age, I'm 73 now, my Dad gave me a new hatchet for a birthday present. Said every man auta' have one...

[EB-80/8inPA 1,645]

1 hour ago, Achto said:

 

 

What a great relic.  It’s every bit as ugly as I expected based on your description.  Thanks for posting and please consider  not ever restoring it.  It’s perfect like that (with the optional theft deterrent package).

Edited February 10, 2022 by EB-80/8inPA
Failure to quote

[lynnmor 7,307]

If you do want to make the hammer into a usable tool, I see that there is a company making the leather washers.

[Beap52 811]

I have a number of tools given to me by others.  Walker is a hand broom given to me right out of high school. Jason gave me a chisel that replaced one I  had used for more than 40 years (but lost--sad day) and was getting pretty short from numerous sharpening.  Paul Mott is what we call the osculating saw he gave me one year at Christmas.  Paul was well known in our church and community.  When we are working at someone's house, and I tell one of the workers to go get Paul Mott, I usually get a inquisitive response from our customers.  Paul Mott died some 5 years ago.  I tell folks,"Give me a tool and I'll name it after you!"

[EB-80/8inPA 1,645]

Unsurprisingly, there are YouTube videos showing handle restorations.  One guy was using epoxy and power tools (!).  This one looks more authentic and he uses some clever hand tools.  Not sure about the varnish, but to each his own:

 

Edited February 11, 2022 by EB-80/8inPA

[R Scheer 502]

I've got an Estwing claw hammer that was my fathers.  I've learned more about it tonight than in the last 50 years!  

 

Many thanks for the education

[SylvanLakeWH 25,586]

Regarding video in post 22 - @formariz is that how the handles were made / treated? Curious…

[formariz 11,987]

52 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Regarding video in post 22 - @formariz is that how the handles were made / treated? Curious…

Pretty much that way. They of course had custom click die cutters which were sized correctly almost eliminating the heavy sanding on the video. They also have different processes on sealing leather. Once all rings were in bottom metal piece was peened to hold everything in. Curiously enough the main cause of the handles downfall , the breaking and loss of the white rings seems to be prevalent only on the later generations. First and second generation hammers that I have encountered the rings are very thin. For one band they used two rings. Later generations one band one thicker ring. That thicker ring is definitely a plastic that hardens with age , cracks and falls. The older generation rings are a different material that seems to stay soft and pliable. 
 
These are hammers that should never get wet and that the handle needs periodic maintenance to survive pretty much like old leather seats on a car. They are beautifully balanced and leather feels like nothing else. I have other hammers used on occasion but the Estwing with leather handles is a real Cadillac as far as I am concerned. I own a couple more later generations but this one for obvious reasons is really part of me.

 

 Now that they seem to have some of your attention look at them if you find them for sale .

 

First generation is substantially different on the bottom plate not only the markings but the rivets  protrude a lot and are really more like a twisted stud rather that a blunted rivet. Only first and second generations have the odd somewhat angular claw shape , they are not a smooth totally circular shape. Shape of head on sides is also different  third generation goes into a point coinciding with ridge on handle. Third generation usually only has one white plastic band usually three rings from bottom. Rivets will be much larger and deeper. 
 

second generation on right(Zev’s)

third generation on left.

Both 16 ounces. Notice claw shape and head differences.
 

 

notice rings on second generation . Two skinny rings on one band.

 

third generation ring already gone while in my possession (typical)Substituted by electrical wire. 

Edited February 11, 2022 by formariz