Thread: Rocket claw hammer

Attie,
I don't know who used to make "rocket" hammers, but I used one years back that was made by cyclone. Cyclone have of course, been bought out by Boral so I don't know if trying to get in touch with boral/cyclone might track down wether they still make them, and if they do, who stocks them. When I first used my brother's rocket I was really impressed, like you say their 20 oz packs a 26 oz punch. Mind you, at the time I was using timber handled hammers and I reckon you lose a lot of power in the handle. The rocket handle is a lot longer than usual which gives it it's leverage. Have you tried an Estwing? They do a 20 oz which has a longer handle than their 26 oz. I have found estwings to be a great hammer, just get the plastic grip, not the leather, as the leather washers that make up the grip tend to disintegrate after a while.

Mick

The blue handled Estwing is the best I've tried.It was the concensus of all the chippies and shippies that I asked before I invested in one.
The prices have fallen dramatically.They used to be $120-130 a couple of years ago but i've seen them at bunnies for $70.
Lee Valley sells the 20oz for US$26.50 plus postage.I think it worked out to be around AU$45 or so,spreading the postage across a larger order.

Thanks Mick and Steve, no, I haven't tried the Eastwing. You are right Mick, they were made by Cyclone but I couldn't find them on their site. I found that pic. in Amazon so they are still available in the US but the people won't ship them out here [to expensive anyway]
I didn't want to drive around Brisbane anymore than I had to, mate, take your life in your own hands driving around down there, they're worse than the rabbits here in Mackay.
One of you kind people put me on to Carbe-tec in Brisbane, that place is a bonus, I was amazed with the range of tools they had but no Rocket hammer.
I'll be driving from the Brisbane airport to the Gold Coast in a couple of weeks so might call in to Mitre 10 @ Beenleigh, anybody been there? I know the person who bought it a couple of years back and they tell me it's a pretty big joint, it would want to be for the price he paid for it.
Thanks again for your help.
Wayne

I just saw this thread. I have seen Estwings for sale here in Melbourne, at Bunnies no less. Yes, I had to look twice too. I suspect it was just before they decided to remove any tools of quality from their shelves.

get a plumb hammer. had one for twenty three years. never had a problem with it.
also have a rocket that wes the old mans but his has a brown handle?

I bought a plumb a couple years back and found it to be a decent hammer to swing and at half the cost of the Estwing was well and truly justifiable. It has the steel handle set into the grip as does the Estwing, nylon/rubber handle give good grip and is comfortable to use. Although Bunnings and Glenford here were selling the blue handled model for under $60 few weeks ago.

I have had my leather handled estwing for about 15 years now using it right through my apprenticeship and then as a subbie. I have found that the leather forms to your hand over time better than the vinyl handled variety and the only maintenance I have done to it is an occasional heavy coat of estapol to the grip. If you are after abit more swing estwing does make what they call a 28oz framing hammer. Their handle is about 4 inches longer than standard and there usefulness falls somewhere in the small sledge region. On a negative note I did buy one of the spaceage looking offerings from estwing afew years back. It seemed to put nails in with similar efforts to my trusty 24 but when it fell out of my hammer loop for about the twenty third time it has found a home in my trailer as a reminder of a wasted $96.00
Estwing Fan

Hi Attie
I've got two Rockets, one with a broken claw but I won't part with them . I do know where there's one here in Mackay. A cane farmer I did a job for has one and I offered to buy him a new good quality one in exchange for it. I never did get around to doing it but I still have his address and phone number. Give me a call on 4959 8741 and I'll give you the details.
Paul

There is one only new Rocket 20 oz in a hardware outlet near me. Looks identical to your picture. It has been in stock a long time and is listed at $59.95 (NZ). Made in USA - I think it has a Bahco label. The also have a couple of Sandvik 7 point handsaws new, old stock, and a joy to behold (darksiders?) Let me know if you want to follow up on the hammer.

I think a lot of the favouritism given to Estwing hammers can be attributed to the fact that they are popular in the trades & are perceived to be a quality item. If you've seen their latest offering, the "Weight Forward" concept, its pretty obvious they've lost their way. We're not spoiled for choice here in Oz, & if you take a look around at whats available in America (they really take their hammers seriously) you'll see what I mean. The Yanks know how to make a hammer & there's two schools of thought. The first is that a big heavy head makes the nails go in better. Personally I think this approach is in the dark ages, it leads to all sorts of undesirable effects on the wrist & elbow. The Yanks have a far better understanding of the second approach which is to have a light head with a long handle, this is a typical "framing hammer design. If you've ever used an American framer you'll know what a pleasure they are to use. I have a couple of hammer & I make my daily selection depending on what I'm doing. For light work I use a 20oz Vaughn. For the big stuff I have a Stilleto framer that is embarassingly expensive but unbelievably nice to use. I use it every day & as I'm getting on in age I can justify anything that will preserve the old body.

Originally Posted by Carpenter

. . . .The Yanks have a far better understanding of the second approach which is to have a light head with a long handle, this is a typical "framing hammer design. If you've ever used an American framer you'll know what a pleasure they are to use. . . . .

I Agree 100%. I've used Estwings for 25 years but a couple of years ago on one of my trips to the US I visited several large tool shops and picked up a few interesting tools including an 18oz Douglas framing hammer. This is easily the best hammer I have ever used, beautifully balanced and controllable even in light carpentry situations. The Estwing is like using a brick after you pick up the Douglas so I gave my Estwing to my brother. The Douglas is relatively pricey, but if you can ever get a hold of one they are the ducks nuts. I'm definitely buying another next time I'm in the US.

Cheers

Carpenter,
the Stilleto, is that one of those titanium jobbies? Personally I'll pick a nail gun over hand nailing anyday , with my right shoulder badly worn out and tendonitis in both my forearms I've given away all the building work to make kitchens instead and am quite enjoying it. No working in the sun or rain, no heavy lifting, minimal hassles with other trades, no handnailing!

Mick

Mick,
Yeah it is titanium. Mmmmmm the workshop based career is where us old chippies go out to pasture. Its inevitable really, & these days I try to stear my job towards finish work. Its a lot more challenging, easier on the body & I get to use all my trick toys. Oh dont worry, the framing gun is always at the ready, its just that when I'm doing that kind of work I find the Stiletto better suited for that situation.

Carpenter,
so how heavy is the head on the Stilleto? I've never handled a large chunk of titanium, SWMBO's sunny's are titanium, but hard to gauge the density. I'd always imagined it as being not much heavier than aluminium. And how's the timber handle, after using a steel handle (first a Rocket and then the Estwing) I was sold. All the timber, fibreglass and graphite handles that I used seemed to soak up so much of the energy in the blow. I'd love to have a swing of one one day just to see, but I'm hardly likely to buy another hammer as I've got two Estwings and they'll see my career out. (Them and the 7 nail guns and 3 staplers )

Mick