VAUGHAN Hickory Handle 999 Series Framer Hammer, 28oz Milled Face, Made In The USA, 606M, VN10620

I can't compare this model to the "California framing" hammers, but I can say I haven't seen one of those in a weight I would consider for actual framing. When I started in 1982, the carpenters on site insisted nothing compared to a Vaughn, and 24 ounces was the ideal weight. Lighter hammers were too ineffective at driving nails to keep up with the work, heavier ones were hard to get used to and would slow me down, at least in the beginning. I have found their assertions about Vaughn hammers to be correct, in that I've never found any others to surpass them in quality, feel, or durability, all a result of their ideal combination of design and materials.I could only find a 28-ounce hammer in 1982, as construction season had started and the 24-ounce versions had already sold out all over town. I never found it to be burdensome, and the additional weight turned me into the fastest nail driver on site. With practice you can drive to perfection a 16d common nail through a couple of pieces of standard 2x lumber in two blows. When, on occasion, I used someone else's 24-ounce hammer, I found it never to be less than three. Lighter than that, no matter how sexy the curvature of the handle, and I would find hammering nails to be an exercise in futility.These hammers are made for professionals, to last indefinitely through daily, hard use, and to be restored with new hickory handles and regrinding, if necessary. I had to replace mine recently because it disappeared after I lent it to a friend some time ago, and another friend needed help building a new workshop. I haven't worked in construction in a long time, so I didn't replace my framing hammer until this need arose, but the new hammer felt as good in my hands as I remembered, balanced and weighty, and it drove the new nails with the same authority as the old. I can't believe they're still making these things to the same standards. If you are looking for a hammer specialized for the tasks of framing: efficient driving of large nails through wood without concern for cosmetics, ie. not a finishing hammer, knocking apart pieces of wood nailed together for purposes like bracing, and pulling those same large nails on occasion, then this is probably as good a hammer as you can get.

Bought this for my husband who is a general contractor. Works great. Sturdy handle and the weight is exactly what he wanted.

I used this hammer to drive 4 1/4" nails through 2" floor boards for my barn. It is heavy enough to drive the nails effectively, and I liked that is has a smooth face to not leave marks on the floor boards. It's a work out, but it does a great job.Update: I have now used this hammer for driving over 500 3" cut nails for siding, and find it much easier to use than when I was doing flooring. It definitely got the job done for flooring, but 28 oz is a lot to lift up and down when driving nails vertically. For siding, it is perfect-- I can drive 3" nails in 4 or 5 hits, and it's easier to swing since I'm not lifting the hammer against gravity.

used this tool for years after having to give up the estwings because of elbow problems 28 ounce ended up being a little large for me and dropped down to a 20 ounce Vaughan for framing (I know I'm a old man now LOL) one of my favorite hammers, the other being an octagon bluegrass 13 ounce trim hammer that is no longer made . two things need to be said /one buy a cats paw/ two learn to use the claws sideways to pull a nail and you wont break your wooden handles

Wooden handle28 oz HEAD- WILL SAVE YOU FROM ARTHRITIC derived injuries

Fun hammer, balanced really nice for the weight. If you are someone who swings a hammer correctly you will enjoy this one.

Love your hammers! 28 oz framer I've used for 25 years.

Ever hear the expression "Get a bigger Hammer"? Don't expect a 16 oz. 'finishing hammer' to do the job of framing. Good for putting finishing nails into molding or hanging pictures. If you're going to build something, get a heavy enough hammer to pound in the big nails.