Despite all the pneumatic and cordless power tools, still, nothing beats the original framing hammer in making framing tasks much easier and cost-efficient.

For you to choose the right framing hammer, you need to know the important features and factors of this hand tool. In doing so, we have a complete and easy guide in choosing the best framing hammer for 2020.

Likewise, to save you some time in doing market research. We also included a comparison chart and an in-depth product review for the top 10 best framing hammer for 2020. All you need to do is read through the whole section of this article.

Best Framing Hammer (January 2022) – Top 10 Picks & Reviews

MODEL	PRICE	OVERALL
IRWIN Tools 1954889	check price
EFFICERE HM-002	check price
Stalwart 75-HT3000	check price
Estwing E3-16S	check price
Tacklife HMH2A	check price
Stiletto FH10C	check price
?Estwing E3-22SM?	check price
Bastex FBA_W2	check price
Stanley STHT51246	check price
Tekton 30325	check price

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR the Best Framing Hammer

Here are the important features and factors you need to look for when choosing the best framing hammer that meets your requirements.

1. Hammer Face or Texture

This refers to the hammerhead surface which gets into contact with the nail head as it drives through the workpiece. This surface can be smooth or textured. A smooth flat surface is still good for framing nails but there’s a greater chance of slippage. In contrast, a textured surface provides more grip as it gets contact with the nail head.

2. Head Weight

The weight of the hammer’s head contributes to the output force exerted into the nail. Likewise, the head weight must be proportionate and balance with the overall weight of the hand tool. Typically, it ranges between 16 oz to 22 oz.

3. Handle

The material which makes up the handle of a framing hammer affects the amount of torque felt by the hand in every swing. Typically, a hammer’s handle can be made from three materials: steel, wood, and fiberglass. Each material type has its respective pros and cons which you need to know.

• Steel: A handle made from steel has the greatest durability among the three materials. The drawback is it adds weight to the hand tool and transfers a lot of vibration to your hand in every swing.
• Fiberglass: This material hits the middle quality in terms of durability and vibration reduction. Its main setback is the price. Most handles made from fiberglass cost slightly higher compared to wood and metal ones.
• Wood: Among the three, the wood handle gives the greatest comfort to your hand as it absorbs a great amount of vibration. Likewise, this type comes more affordable compared to the other two materials. Its main setback is durability. A wooden handle has a shorter life span compared to steel and fiberglass handle.

Moreover, most handles today are already covered with soft textured rubber to provide a better and comfortable grip.

4. Handle Length

The longer the length of the handle, the greater the force and torque it delivers to the nail or workpiece. However, the length of the handle must be proportionate to the head weight in order to maintain the balance of the hand tool.

Top 10 Best Framing Hammer reviews

1. IRWIN Tools 1954889 Framing Claw Hammer

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Features:

• Surface: flat smooth
• Handle: fiberglass
• Handle length: 12”
• Head Weight: 16 oz

pros	cons
• Solid steel head with a flat surface	• It would have been better if the claw was slightly curved
• Curved handle with rubberized grip	?
• 16 oz weight – more hammering force	?
• Affordable price	?

Best Choice

This framing hammer is a great choice to have for any carpentry works. Why? First, its head is slightly heavy which great for added force in every strike. The flat smooth surface is good because it doesn’t leave any mark on the surface once the nail head is fully buried on the workpiece. Likewise, the handle length is just fine for exerting maximum torque without the worry of losing the head. Lastly, its handle is slightly curved and covered with soft rubber to prevent slippage and give hand comfort during work.

It would have been better if the claw was slightly curved, but the tool perfectly works.

2. EFFICERE Stubby Framing Claw Hammer

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Features:

• Surface: flat smooth
• Handle: hardened and heated steel alloy
• Handle length: 6”
• Head Weight: 8 oz

pros	cons
• Built-in magnetic nail holder	• Shorter handle length – 6”
• Affordable price	?
• Anti-vibration and anti-slip handle	?
• Head is made from forged steel alloy	?

Anti-Shock Handle

This hammer is still a basic one but with improved features such as its head is made from hardened steel alloy for extra durability. Instead of steel, the handle is made from fiberglass material for reduced vibration. Likewise, there more hand comfort and grip for the handle is wrapped with soft rubber with horizontal grooves and curves that will fit into your hand. I would say this hammer is great for small to medium task based on its head and handle length.

In addition, it has shorter handle length, with that it is great for small to medium tasks.

3. Stalwart Natural Framing Claw Hammer

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Features:

• Surface: flat, smooth
• Handle: wood
• Handle length: 13”
• Head Weight: 16 oz

pros	cons
• Very affordable price	• Wooden handle
• Hardwood handle	?
• Long handle – 13”	?
• Flat smooth surface	?
• Heavy head weight	?
• Reduced hand vibration	?

best seller – Best Budget

It is a basic hammer with improved force and torque in every swing. Why? Because it’s head weight is 16 oz while it has a long handle length of 13 inches. No worries with vibration because its handle is made of wood which greatly absorbs vibration. The head and the handle are strongly attached to each other so there’s no chance of a flying hammerhead. Moreover, you can have this hammer at a very affordable price.

Its handle is made of wood, so it won’t be as long-lasting as a steel or fiberglass handle.

4. Estwing Hammer E3-16S Framing Claw Hammer

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Features:

• Surface: flat and smooth
• Handle: steel
• Handle length: 13”
• Head Weight: 16 oz

pros	cons
• A durable steel alloy material	• No critical issues so far
• 13” long handle	?
• Better torque and force	?
• Patented Shock reduction grip	?

Patented Shock Reduction Grip

The major edge of this framing hammer is its patented shock reduction grip which helps lessen hand fatigue when hammering for hours. Among the other framing hammer of Estwing, this one lasts longer because the handle is made from a quality steel alloy. Likewise, you can assure great torque because of its 16 oz head weight and long handle length. This is a decent hand tool to complete your DIY and repair set at home.

5. Tacklife HMH2A Framing Claw Hammer

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Features:

• Surface: flat and smooth
• Handle: steel
• Handle length: 7”
• Head Weight: 12 oz

pros	cons
• Enhanced steel durability	• If you need more torque for a heavier task, then buy a hammer with longer handle lengths
• Soft rubberized grip handle	?
• Reduced vibration	?
• Well-balanced body	?

Built-in magnetic nail holder

The built-in magnetic nail holder of this hammer makes it easier for you to absorb the nails and do accurate hits. Its average handle length makes it ideal even when working in narrow spaces. Even if the handle length isn’t that long, the head weight compensates it in order to deliver a sufficient amount of driving force in every strike. Worry-free about hand fatigue for the handle is covered with soft rubber with horizontal grooves and curves to have better grip and comfort.

Note: If you need more force and torque, then you need a hammer with a longer handle

6. Stiletto FH10C Framing Claw Hammer

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Features:

• Surface: flat and smooth
• Handle: wood
• Handle length: 13”
• Head Weight: 10 oz

pros	cons
• Lightweight hand tool	• None
• Long handle length	?
• Durable head	?
• Handle made from hardwood	?

If you are just starting out in your carpentry skills or work, then this basic hammer is right for. Why? Because it is lightweight compared to other brands and still able to deliver enough force because of its long handle. Its wooden handle helps absorbs shocks in every swing, preventing your hand from getting tired and hurt. Moreover, it offers great quality at a reasonable price.

7. Estwing E3-22SM Framing Claw Hammer

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Features:

• Surface: flat and smooth
• Handle: durable steel alloy
• Handle length: 13”
• Head Weight: 22 oz

pros	cons
• Solid steel alloy built	• None
• Soft rubberized grip handle	?
• Long handle length and heavy head weight for greater torque and force	?

This Estwing hammer has a heavier head compared to its other brands. This is good for it helps deliver sufficient force in every strike. Its flat and smooth surface gives no worries of any dent or mark on the surface of the workpiece. Its grip handle is covered with soft rubber to prevent slippage and reduced shocks in every swing. Overall, this basic hand tool is made from durable forged steel alloy which guarantees a longer tool life.

8. Bastex Fiberglass Framing Claw Hammer

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Features:

• Surface: flat and smooth
• Handle: fiberglass
• Handle length: 11”
• Head Weight: 16 oz

pros	cons
• Fiberglass handle – reduced vibration	• None
• Affordable price	?
• Solid steel alloy for the head	?
• Greater torque – heavy head weight and 11” handle	?

For an affordable price, you can get this decent and durable basic hand tool. The important feature about this hammer, its head has a good weight and durability to deliver great torque without the worry of breaking. The fiberglass handle wrapped around with soft and textured rubber provides better grip and comfort when working.

9. Stanley STHT51246 Steel Framing Claw Hammer

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Features:

• Surface: flat and smooth
• Handle: steel
• Handle length: 11”
• Head Weight: 20 oz

pros	cons
• Reasonable price	• None
• Heavy head	?
• Decent handle length	?
• Durable and solid construction	?

This hammer has a solid and slightly heavy head. You will need a stronger arm to maximize the force output while maintaining an accurate strike. The handle length is suitable for the head weight in order to get the right torque in every strike. Likewise, the grip handle is wrapped with soft rubber to prevent hand fatigue and slippage. Overall construction is solid and durable.

10. Tekton 30325 Fiberglass Framing Claw Hammer

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Features:

• Surface: cross-milled surface
• Handle: fiberglass
• Handle length: 16”
• Head Weight: 22 oz

pros	cons
• Better nail grip – cross-milled surface	• Attached between the head and the handle seems to be suitable for light to medium works only
• Long handle – 16”	?
• Reduced vibration with its fiberglass handle	?
• Reasonable price	?

Better Nail Grip – Textured Surface

The overall quality of this basic hand tool is good with some gripes. The head surface provides better nail grip with its cross-milled texture. The handle length is long enough to ensure greater torque action. Likewise, the fiberglass handle reduces the shocks delivered to the user’s hand.

However, head and handle attachment seems to be incompatible with super heavy works.