Did I hear the word Hammers?

bruto · **Reply #30 on:** August 30, 2024, 12:30:19 AM

While we're on the subject here's a little variation on the nail holding hammer. I have a couple of framing hammers with a magnetic nail holding slot in the head, but here's one with a slot in the claw end, which holds the nail between a pair of spring loaded balls. It's ingenious and unlike a magnet does not fill with metallic fuzz. The idea was invented in the 1800's by a fellow named Cheney, who made some nice hammers (including, it seems, a single-claw staple pulling one!), Cheney's business was then sold to Prentiss (the one that made vises too), and Prentiss was then sold to Parker. Eventually, Parker was bought by Collins (the Machete people in Connecticut), and Collins was bought by Mann Edge Tools, which was eventually bought by Stanley Works. The hammer in question is labeled Stanley, and there's little record of how long they made it, but it's not very common.

This one has been re-handled, though I don't remember whether I broke the old handle or bought it broken. The current handle was originally part of the tiller on a sailboat.

The nail holder works quite well, and holds the nail a bit more firmly than the magnetic type, though it only works with larger nails. [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]

P.S. yes the claw is chipped. I'm not sure Stanley gets full points for toughness here.

Yadda · **Reply #31 on:** August 30, 2024, 01:42:37 AM

Neat hammer and a great story. More items to look for at estate sales.

Farmer X · **Reply #32 on:** August 30, 2024, 02:59:12 AM

JowiiYoyo · **Reply #33 on:** August 30, 2024, 06:58:00 AM

bruto · **Reply #34 on:** August 31, 2024, 03:54:02 AM

I find I actually made a big mistake on that last hammer. I hurriedly read the label through the rust and thought it a Stanley (and Stanley did apparently make some like it) but it is, in fact, an original Cheney Hammer from Little Falls, NY. That dates it to some time before 1954 (I think the Cheney name continued for a while after the company was bought by Prentiss, etc.). Nice. And that may explain why its claws are a little ragged. It's been around a while!

Yadda · **Reply #35 on:** August 31, 2024, 04:14:53 AM

Yeah, over 70 years old, you can expect a dent and ding or two.

Yadda · **Reply #36 on:** October 10, 2024, 02:58:54 AM

One of the few items I brought home from a local estate sale is this uncommon Berylco H45 Inspector's hammer. The last photo shows the faint Berylco imprint on the original handle. I rarely see Berylco tools. Considering I live in Houston and Houston's oil industry history, I am a little surprised I haven't seen more.

Farmer X · **Reply #37 on:** October 11, 2024, 02:00:29 AM

Richard Hills · **Reply #38 on:** January 02, 2026, 09:15:47 PM

Ive got a few

Yadda · **Reply #39 on:** January 03, 2026, 05:27:03 AM

Nice assortment of hammers. That Estwing aluminum hammer is interesting.

fullbreakfast · **Reply #40 on:** January 20, 2026, 04:24:17 PM

Quote from: Richard Hills on January 02, 2026, 09:15:47 PM

Ive got a few

Wow

Do you manage to put all those to use, or just really like hammers? Which I would completely understand. As a guy who owns sixty* Swiss Army knives, I would certainly not cast any stones in the direction of someone with a hammer habit.

* give or take a dozen…