Customer Reviews

Stiletto Tools, Inc. TI14MC Titan 14-OunceTitanium Framing Hammer With Curved Handle

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I first saw this hammer the look on my face must have said volumes, I thought, "gee nice looking hammer, but what is it good for, it is so light I can't imagine having to actually pound nails with it". My partner smiled and said give it a try, then make your decision. After the first hour of using the Stilleto Titanium framing hammer I was impressed, at the end of the first day I wouldn't give it up at any price. I still don't know how it works, but I can drive 16's as fast (by the 2nd. half of the day, actually faster) than I could with the 24oz. Hart California Framer that I had used prior to the Stilleto. The real advantage in my opinion, is the reduction in stress upon the users elbow joint due to the much lighter weight of the hammer. The only draw back that I have noticed in the 1 yr. that I have been using the Stilleto is that the titanium rip claws tend to develope nicks when using them to pull bent nails, also using the hammer against hardened steel tools like pullers and ripping bars quickly dulls the milled face (however the face checkering was never as pronounced as the Hart or Death Stick framers). The nail set magnet and seat work exceptionally well for setting 8d and up nails in top plates or other hard to reach areas. All in all I wouldn't use any other hammer for day to day framing, but keep your old heavy weight framer for demolition work.

I'm a remodel carpenter and use the Stiletto hammer just about every day. Here's why I like it:

The 18-inch hatchet handle is very comfortable and provides a long reach. This is especially helpful when roofing or in other precarious situations because it means that I can drive nails and hit or pry wood members without changing my position as much. The long reach, combined with the magnetized nail holder, make it easy to place nails in overhead beams (up to about 9 feet high; I'm 6'2") without having to use a ladder.

In addition to pulling nails, the ultra-straight, chisel-sharp claws can be jammed into pieces of wood and leveraged to help position them when using a nail gun with your other hand. When the lumber company delivers wood bundles to our worksites, I use the claws to cut right through the metal straps that bind the wood together. It takes one or two well placed whacks. I actually use the claws more for non-nail-pulling activities because I carry a cat's paw for nail pulling (I often use a nail gun, so most nails get driven so deeply into the wood that no hammer alone would be able to get a start on them).

The light weight of titanium gives the hammer a larger head size than it would have if it were steel. Because the hammer is light and very well-balanced, it's comfortable to use all day as other reviewers have noted. It also makes the hammer easier to control with greater precision because it takes less effort to swing. I've found that my hammering accuracy has improved with the Stiletto. I also like the fact that it doesn't weigh down my tool belt very much.

Lastly, the hammer's milled face is rough enough to grip nails but not so aggressive that it'll ruin any metal tools that you happen to strike with it. It also is much gentler on the fingers than some of the other milled-faced hammers on the market.

This isn't a hammer for demolition though, and I keep a small sledgehammer in my toolbox for the times when a little more persuasion is needed. For framing, the Stiletto performs very well, and I've found it to be worth the higher price.

I have wanted the Stiletto titanium hammer for about 2 years and finally I received as a gift. I read all of the reviews on the hammer and one concerned me. John Crawford reviewed it on October 30, 2000. He wrote that it is a cool hammer to nail nails but not to pull nails. He broke the handle after the third or forth nail. He's right, I didn't even have mine on the job for two days. I pulled a couple nails with it and then nailed a 16d nail and the head broke off. The handle is way to thin which goes into the head. Don't get me wrong I fell in love with the hammer the first day but to be a every day framing hammer not a hammer to have. I had to break out old faithfull, my Estwing. I still have my old $15.00 framing hammer when I first started in construction over 10 years ago. If they can figure out to make the handle stronger then the Stiletto is a must have.

I spent all day today, by myself, framing a one-story house. I left the Senco air powered nailer in the truck and just used the Stiletto. I wanted to see if this Titanium hammer would ease the burden on my tennis elbow (framers elbow?). It took me about a half hour to get used to this baby, and I switched off with a 24 oz steel framer for a while and came right back to the Stilleto. No contest. The steel framer went back in the toolbox. The Stiletto gave me no elbow pain; just easy driving of those 16d sinkers all day long. If you make your living driving nails, or even just have the need to drive a lot of them, check out this hammer.

I got the hammer some time ago and thought it was awsome at first, until I tried to use it at work. I am rough framer, and use my hammer about a hundred times a day. This hammer is cool nailing nails But what they don't tell you is that you're not allowed to pull nails with it. I didn't know that until I pulled the third or fourth nail and the head of the hammer fell off. If you like the feel of a lightweight titanium hammer, and you are going to use it, I suggest that you go with the Death stick. It weighs the same and the handle doesn't break.

As a former framer and now weekend carpenter, I have to say that I woulld never go back to a heavy Steel hammer. To address a few previous complaints, yes, I have broken handles. About three now I think. In Five years of use that is. And doing things I should't have. Like heavy demolition and Pulling Nails using the head as a lever. The Correct way to pull nails is with A) a Cat's Paw or B) by Bending the hammer handle sideways back and forth. If you use the head as your lever, you will beak any wooden hammer handle. I keep a spare handle in the truck just in case. As for the weight, Well, I'll remind you that F=MA (Remember that Physiscs class you never paid attention in?). Therefore it's the carpenter that drives the nail, not the hammer. What the Titanium does it put the little guy (Like me) at an advantage because I can work longer without fatigue. So if you are a Full-time Professional Framer and your arms are the size of tree trunks you might want to stick with your 26oz beast. As for me, I will keep on swinging my 14oz Stiletto as I build my nice new shop.

I was a loyal Estwing user, I have owned 3 28oz Framers and 1 of the 20oz long handle hammers. Now I just keep one 28oz in the truck for demolition, but the Stiletto stays with me at all times. I have broken my right wrist twice and used to switch hands when it would get sore, but the first day I used this hammer I didn't have to switch once. Don't let the 14oz weight fool you, I am driving nails faster than ever with this. Highly Recommend.

I had originally purchased a steel 21 oz epoxy coated Renegade framing hammer from Stiletto. The epoxy failed and after numerous conversation with them they offered to exchange it with a Ruger Titan.

I had been using 23 ounce steel framing hammers exclusively for 3 years and thought that they were the "berries." After hand driving my first bag of 16 v.c. sinkers with this light weight nail bender I was truely amazed.

I really like the hatchet style handle as much as I like the head speed that comes with the lighter weight.

It's not hte cheapest hammer you can buy, but as long as no one thinks that that they need it more than you, it may be the last framer you'll ever buy.

The natural thing to compare this hammer to is a standard 16oz claw hammer which had been the framer/carpenter's standard until the invention of the Plumb hatchet derived 21oz framing hammer. Compared to a 21oz the 14oz Stilletto needs 50% more energy if swung at the same speed. That means you have to swing it 22% faster. That may not sound like much, but it is roughly the difference between the shortest and longest drivers on the PGA tour. Just swinging it faster isn't as easily said as done. On the other hand if you regularly take 2-6 swats to place a 16d nail, you may not see any difference.

Incidentally when they make titanium golf clubs, they make them the same weight as steel ones of the same length, the payoff comes from the larger head which makes on-center hits relatively easier. I would like to see a framing hammer made with that technology.

Where this hammer really shines for the pro is as a replacement for the lighter 16 oz hammer. At 14oz, but with the longer handle and bigger head than the standard carpenters hammer it easily outdrives the heavier hammer, and is more versatile. If most of your framing is done with a gun, why carry 21 oz all day for the odd restricted use situation?

This light hammer, roughly in the finishing weight category will bog down on heavy work like setting nails, or driving resistant nails like spirals or rings.

Titanium will spark on impact with dirt (possibly on the head of the hammer, or the nail, or framing), as you may notice if your day runs into the dark. Be careful if there is any possibility of explosive hazards in the area.

I rate it as 5 stars on the basis of how well it works. I would rate it a lot lower if I was rating the manufacturer's claim that a 14oz hammer hits like a 21oz hammer.

This hammer is the best thing that ever happened to my wrists and elbow. The nail setter has proven indespensible when absolutely needed, and at other times it has increased my safety, because I don't have to lean over a roof edge or on a ladder with two hands anymore. The lighter weight head doesn't slow nailing a bit. When you use it everyday the cost is well-justified. The only drawback is that you can't put alot of pressure on the handle, but I have not had any problems pulling nails. Oh, and the ladies love the looks of it.