Titanium hammers?

[Doug71]

Due to years of joinery and tennis I get elbow problems which are becoming more frequent and taking longer to heal, I haven't played tennis for about 6 months now but unfortunately can't give up work yet.

I'm trying to do what I can to look after my elbow and realised the steel shaft Estwing hammers I normally use probably aren't the best thing for it so was thinking of going back to a good old wooden handle model. I keep reading Titanium headed hammers are very elbow friendly but have always thought of them as gadgets and just good marketing, never used one though so might be missing out?

I was just going to get a 16oz steel headed wooden handled Estwing for £25, the Titanium equivalent looks to be a Stiletto 10 oz Titanium headed hickory handled model for about £95.

I don't mind paying the extra for titanium if it's going to help, anybody use one or have any experience with them?

 

[Spectric]

Look at a decent hammer with a fibreglass shaft,

https://estwingtools.co.uk/estwing-curved-claw-hammer-16oz-fibreglass-shaft-surestrike-emrf16c

 

[Doug B]

Wooden handled hammers are far better than steel or fibreglass when it comes to absorbing vibration, I’ve never used a titanium headed hammer but titanium will absorb more vibration than steel so in theory it should be better but by how much
I have a Douglas wooden handled chromed steel headed claw hammer & it’s certainly my go to hammer particularly when doing a lot of nailing, if you can afford the titanium I’d go for it.

 

[Ollie78]

I am not sure how a lighter hammer would help as you need to hit it harder, applying more force yourself rather than letting the weight do the hitting, thats why I have never got on with wooden mallets.
My mate suffered severe elbow problems and got an Estwing weight forward design hammer, it had a white fiberglass handle and an odd shaped head on it. He said it helped reduce his pain a bit, I tried it and found it very weird but he said he got used to it quite fast.
There are some very fancy looking American titanium hammers but they seem sort of specialised for framing, (I guess whacking in 6 inch nails all day).
I wouldn`t worry about the cost, you can`t get a new elbow.

Ollie

 

[Jacob]

Might be worth checking in with a physio. I got an appointment quite quickly at local surgery. Turns out to be "rotator cuff strain/injury" and was prescribed some very specific exercises which seem to be working.
Not the same as tennis elbow but there's loads on line: Tennis elbow - Treatment
Years ago did my wrist in with heavy hammering and did two things; bought anti shock hammer something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071JS9JZ4 and bosch GBH SDS hammer drill. Wrist OK now

 

[Ollie78]

Might be worth checking in with a physio. I got an appointment quite quickly at local surgery. Turns out to be "rotator cuff strain/injury" and was prescribed some very specific exercises which seem to be working.
Not the same as tennis elbow but there's loads on line: Tennis elbow - Treatment

This is a good shout, I had elbow pain and was getting numb fingers but it all stemmed from the fact I have a partially separated shoulder.
Went and had a sports massage ( which was torture but worked wonders ) where they found all sorts of tight muscles under my shoulder blade and stuff where I have been using my shoulder "wrong" for years because of the injury.
Exercises and massage etc has sorted it out.

 

[Jacob]

This is a good shout, I had elbow pain and was getting numb fingers but it all stemmed from the fact I have a partially separated shoulder.
Went and had a sports massage ( which was torture but worked wonders ) where they found all sorts of tight muscles under my shoulder blade and stuff where I have been using my shoulder "wrong" for years because of the injury.
Exercises and massage etc has sorted it out.

Part of my diagnosis was questions about numb fingers and tingling, but was not something I had.
Also good is phoning NHS 111. They talk you through a check list and recommend what you should do next e.g. see physio or ring undertaker etc

 

[Alli]

A bit of a random thought but would a palm nailer be any good? my thought was you may be able to use your non-dominant hand, assuming you don't suffer in that elbow as well.

 

[macca]

stilettos are a fantastic hammer, lovely to use and somehow claim a 30% heavier equivalent strike, the handles are susceptable to breaking if you get really rough with them. cracking hammer and would definitely recommend them.

 

[Orraloon]

I would go for a steel hammer with a wood handle. Hickory is the best wood for axe and hammer handles. I have never seen let alone used a titanium hammer but I reckon it would give the bank account more of a bashing than the nail.
Regards
John

 

[Steve_Scott]

I’ve never understood the argument for a titanium hammer… 12oz of titanium is the same weight at 12oz of steel and they carry the same energy when swung with the same effort.

To be fair, I’ve never used one so can’t comment if they would “feel” different but but gut feel is that people who pay over the odds for a hammer find the justification they need to convince themselves it was a good idea. On that point, I’ve seen various articles and dismissed them all; I’ll take notice when a scientific paper is published that concludes titanium has a benefit in this application.

 

[imageel]

I'd concur with the advice to see a physio and perhaps find out the root cause of the pain as a good shout - I damaged a rotator cuff a few years back in a nasty fall I had involving a flight of stairs and a concrete floor and saw a physio at a sports clinic that had sprung up during the Olympics at Stratford - I worked in London at the time, and the lady there identified a tear to one of the 4 rotator cuffs in my shoulder, and gave me very specific exercises to perform.
3 months later I had regained full use of my arm and thankfully little discomfort from it, which is remarkable given that tendons don't self-repair, the damage remains but the exercises built up strength in the surrounding tissues that provide support and allow mobility.
Definitely worth a try IMHO
Ed

 

[Homeless Squirrel]

Try increasing size of grip! like wrap with Racket tape as thicker grip less pressure on elbow etc
Used to do when played badminton wrap handle a few layers of tape tapes pressure on fore grip so elbow isn't working so hard.
Plus grippy tape means can relax grip more plus learn to be more flexible on wrist and learn to relax as about to hit nail etc that way less tension and shockwave felt in arm.

I watch people doing things/using tools and so many have a rigid arm/wrist like when painting wrist rigid just bending arm and looks dam awful! as pants painting method(i hold/use cross between a pen and spoon/fork so flexible get straight lines when cutting in!)
Others is with hammer instead of flexing at wrist so dance with hammer there using arm rigid flexing from elbow-shoulder more tiring but also often marking wood or bending nails.
My Estwing has leather grip.

longer handles impart more effort on impact for less effort on your part Newtons Dildo law.
Try a heavier hammer like the 24oz less force needed to bang nails in! and less hits.

 

[Nelsun]

I think the arguement for titanium hammers (as in titanium handles with steel heads) is that the force comes from the head (and speed) or, rather, the weight of the handle contributes little. A lighter handle that reduces vibration is the selling point. Or something... physics never was my favourite subject!

Lockdown was an expensive time for me when I bought a couple of Martinez 14" jobbies. I blame the wine One has a normal head and the other has a 2lb walloper and apink end cap - I still look at it with honeymoon eyes whenever it comes out to play
I can't comment with any great experience of banging in thousands upon thousands of nails but they are, by far, my favourites.
The curved grips are comfortable and grippy and all parts are replaceable should the need ever arise. Number one son has been briefed to nab them when I go; and I doubt they'll end up in his son's hand after him.

 

[Lefley]

I am not sure how a lighter hammer would help as you need to hit it harder, applying more force yourself rather than letting the weight do the hitting, thats why I have never got on with wooden mallets.
My mate suffered severe elbow problems and got an Estwing weight forward design hammer, it had a white fiberglass handle and an odd shaped head on it. He said it helped reduce his pain a bit, I tried it and found it very weird but he said he got used to it quite fast.
There are some very fancy looking American titanium hammers but they seem sort of specialised for framing, (I guess whacking in 6 inch nails all day).
I wouldn`t worry about the cost, you can`t get a new elbow.

Ollie

That's not necessarily true. I have a 16 oz hammer that hits a nail in faster than my old 22 oz estwing. I'm a framer by trade, and got it through a secret Santa trade. I thought it was a gimmick, but after using it, I would never go back. It is balanced totally different , eliminating weight in places not needed for the hit.

 

[Ollie78]

That's not necessarily true. I have a 16 oz hammer that hits a nail in faster than my old 22 oz estwing. I'm a framer by trade, and got it through a secret Santa trade. I thought it was a gimmick, but after using it, I would never go back. It is balanced totally different , eliminating weight in places not needed for the hit.

I guess the only way is to try one, its whatever you get used to as well.
I have an Estwing with a leather handle and use that for everything, it becomes part of your hand almost. For chiselling I have tried the traditional wooden joiners mallet and it just felt like you have to "try" and generate force where the normal hammer just effortlessly taps away (I actually like a lump hammer for this as well), obviously this is different to banging in framing nails where its more a speed of the head thing. Quite inerested to test one out now.

Ollie

 

[Molynoox]

Yeah the guy I work with has a stilleto and it's absolutely lovely to use. So light and yet still effective. I actually think for £100 it's a pretty good deal as it should last forever (?) and it's cheaper than some of the crazy alternatives that appear to be similar yet £300.
If I was getting a new hammer it would be a stilleto.

Martin

 

[Molynoox]

I also have tennis elbow but my hammer isnt the issue as I don't use it that much for hammering. Usually for removing nails that I've accidentally fired into the wrong place with the nail gun.

 

[Doug71]

I have had physio on my elbow and do all the stretches etc but have been told unless I rest it properly it won't be getting better anytime soon, unfortunately being a self employed joiner I'm not in a position to take the time off.

The theory with the titanium is something like when you hit a nail with a titanium hammer almost 100% of the force is transferred to the nail but with steel only about 70% as 30% is lost in recoil which comes back to the user as vibrations, hence with titanium you can have a 30% lighter head but still transfer as much force. Also as the titanium is lighter it swings quicker which adds more force and obviously handling a lighter tool is less stress on the body. I do get the impression though that if you are doing something like knocking floor joist in to place you will miss the extra weight

@Doug B I saw you have one of the Douglas hammers, very jealous. I remember Rutlands used to sell them and I kept thinking a hammer with my name on, must get one of those but of course never got round to it and now regret it.

@Ollie78 I actually have one of the Estwing weight forward hammers but never got on with it, seems like some people like them though as they sell for about £100 on ebay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...1&_nkw=estwing+weight+forward+hammer&_sacat=0

 

[Lefley]

I have had physio on my elbow and do all the stretches etc but have been told unless I rest it properly it won't be getting better anytime soon, unfortunately being a self employed joiner I'm not in a position to take the time off.

The theory with the titanium is something like when you hit a nail with a titanium hammer almost 100% of the force is transferred to the nail but with steel only about 70% as 30% is lost in recoil which comes back to the user as vibrations, hence with titanium you can have a 30% lighter head but still transfer as much force. Also as the titanium is lighter it swings quicker which adds more force and obviously handling a lighter tool is less stress on the body. I do get the impression though that if you are doing something like knocking floor joist in to place you will miss the extra weight

@Doug B I saw you have one of the Douglas hammers, very jealous. I remember Rutlands used to sell them and I kept thinking a hammer with my name on, must get one of those but of course never got round to it and now regret it.

@Ollie78 I actually have one of the Estwing weight forward hammers but never got on with it, seems like some people like them though as they sell for about £100 on ebay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...1&_nkw=estwing+weight+forward+hammer&_sacat=0