VAUGHAN DALLUGE 16 oz Titanium Hammer, Magnetic Nail Holder, Milled Face, VN07180

Great hammer! Glad they are available again!

I grew up in construction on a 24 ounce Vaughan steel framing hammer. I still have the original 24 ounce head, though I've been through a few handles. Been out of the business for decades, but in preparation for building my own house start to finish, I looked into titanium because I knew my elbow wouldn't take almost a year of the old Vaughan. I picked up this 16 ounce Dalluge based upon great reviews. I also picked up a 12 ounce Stilleto and a 14 ounce Stilleto for my sons. Wish I could return the Stilleto's as there is no comparison. In fact my son broke his handle right off (his fault) and the magnet also fell out. Stilleto was kind enough to send him a replacement magnet. I dont' think he would have broken this Dalluge handle though, in fact I'm certain.Having handled two Stilettos, the old Vaughan, and various old fiberglass types, I can't say enough about this Dalluge.-There is no comparison whatsoever to a steel hammer: I'll never go back.-When swinging, it 'feels' lighter than the 14 ounce Stiletto. Probably the balance, which is exquisite.-The head design is impressive. Straight/swept and strong claw, magnetic nail holder, and side nail puller. The top of the head and the face are flat, and after a while you sort of realize it, because you're making the nails flush up easily in corners and tight spots that would have been a pain with the rounded face. The nailing face is large and just the right size.-The hickory handle has nice grain quality. The straight handled version is the way to go and helps swing with deadly accuracy. The grip shape is just right, at least for my hand. No grip or tension issues.-The Douglas handle to head mounting system is unique and strong. I believe the shock absorbing claim of this method... at least my elbow sure does. I had to tighten the two allen screws a few weeks into using it. Haven't had to touch them again in a year. Appears to be just a breaking-in procedure between the head and handle.-Break the handle in with good old fashioned sweat before considering wrapping it with racket tape. I never have found the need. The handle is so tuned with use/age now, I can't tell what sort of original finish it was compared to the Stiletto. What I can say is that it now feels like it is closer to natural wood and grips very well, whereas both Stilettos still have a shiny finish and don't grip as well. I have always lightly sanded down my new handles in the past, but the Dalluge didn't need this.-As for durability, a year later and there is not a single ding on the handle, due to its design, though I know for a fact I chunked the handle a few times pretty hard... it happens. The titanium has held up well, no chips to speak of and still has a decent waffle pattern for talking to nails, though after so much mistreatment the waffle is pretty worn. This includes having shown no mercy whatsoever on hitting steel tools with this hammer... catspaw and flatbar. Tried not to, but did so in the interest of expediency on many occasions.-The Dalluge swings fast, accurate, and hard. I've never swung a hammer that immediately felt so perfect to me. There was no 'getting used to it'. It was just right from day one.I've picked up my old 24 ounce steel Vaughan a few times and just cringe at the weight and balance. I absolutely can't believe I used to swing that hammer 50 hours a week. Insane. Even my 20 ounce smooth-faced decking hammer feels terribly heavy and unbalanced. If I wasn't planning a blind-fastener system for my deck, I guarantee I'd be buying the Dalluge DDT16P smooth faced version too - may just buy it anyway on principle.To top it off, it's got an original look that oozes 'I mean business'. The price just compounds the beating-down of the competition. If I was once again a full time framer - I'd only be using the Dalluge for sure. Look no further and give this framer a try.Dalluge 7180 16 Ounce Titanium Hammer

I bought this hammer 9 years ago, and have used it just about every day since then. The once waffled face is worn smooth (a problem with all titanium hammers...steel nails are harder metal than the face of the hammer), and the little magnet on top that once started nails fell out years ago. I replaced the handle immediately with a custom one made from Bacote (because it looks awesome, and I’m a carpenter) which attracts a surprising amount of attention. There’s nothing wrong with the hickory one, some day I’ll probably break the exotic one and need a replacement.When comparing hammers, weight is the single most important consideration. The advertised head weight is only one factor. The stilleto, for example is a titanium alternative I considered. The issue is, the all Ti construction is actually HEAVIER than a 24oz wood handled hammer. I’m sure it reduces vibration compared to steel handles, but not better than wood. The problem with wood is that it tends to break at the head. This hammer design gives you the strength of A Ti neck, and the great balance, low vibration, and light weight of a Ti head.The claws are the perfect shape. Perfect. Easy to swing under a plate, great for nail pulling. The side puller is part of the head casting, and easily my favorite feature. Nails are never too close to adjoining surfaces for the side puller.My only caveat is that it doesn’t have the weight to drive plates flush, or really anything where a sledge would be a better choice. Carry a light hammer, you’re compromising your bashing power. True of all Ti hammers.I think it has an eye catching design. I know it has great ergonomics. I can attest to the durability of the construction. It’s crazy light, but I can still drive 16’s in two strokes. I wish dalluge was paying me to say these things, and I’ll happily accept any endorsement money they think I deserve, but I’m extolling this hammers virtue because it’s true.

Good lite weight, hard striking hammer . The claws are straight and sharp, making it easy to pull nails.The wooden handle is horrible. It does not fit well, and feels splintered.I took 150 grit sandpaper, and took some time to sand down the handles. Afterwards i washed down the handle with cold water. Now the handle feels usable.