Over 20 years ago, I got a beautiful dead blow hammer at a liquidation booth at a woodworking  show.  I  love it and have used it ever since, including doing on site repairs.  I went to the furniture bank this morning to  work on  repairs and there were 7 dining chairs that needed to be disassembled, reglued, and have the seat put back on.  I  got to work on the first one and probably because it's been sitting in 7 degree weather overnight. split right across the head when I used it.  It is really nice because it has replaceable heads  on it in various degrees of hardness.  I think it's long since discontinued.  So now  I need a recommendation for a replacement.  I'm not real fond of the big heavy plastic mallets.

Got a picture of what you had?

 

Is it similar to THESE?

Edited January 17, 20242 yr by Grandpadave52

As it turns out I broke my favorite dead blow hammer just recently as well, just before Christmas. It was an Estwing and has also been discontinued. I did find these and ordered one. I like it, but not as much as my original.

I am not a Harbor Freight fan but I do have their 16 oz dead blow hammer and am pleased with it.   They have different weighted hammers available.  

Danl

I  wrote to Estwing to ask if this was still being made and they told me to send photos and product information (and address).  So I don't know yet if they are treating this as a warranty issue.   I've got several of their hammers and given as a gift.

I'm thinking of a possible 24 oz. 

I've been using one of these for many years without fail.  Let it be known I have not used it for any real heavy hitting for dismantling purposes.  I use it mostly for tapping joints into place etc.  Has different hardness of heads.  I bought it thinking for the price if I got a couple years out of it I'd have my moneys worth.  It has surpassed my expectations.

 

 

 

I have one similar to @HandyDan I bought nearly 50 years ago. I think it was made by K-D tools and is a 16 oz. Pretty sure I bought it from the Mac Tool guy at the time. Used it heavy for 15+years in my first career. Still in very good condition. I really liked the fiberglass handle. Only replaced the nylon end 1x.

 

I bought one of the first 24 oz. Mac Compothane dead blow hammers. It served me equally well for many years until the compothane disintegrated. Like Keith, I suspect the extreme cold finally took its toll.

 

I've since purchased several of the H-F Pittsburg urethane dead blows. They're in an unheated environment. No problems or complaints at all especially for the price. My go to for woodworking is the 1 pound. I also have the 2lb, 2-1/2 lb and 4 lb.

Wow, Estwing is sending me a replacement as that model is discontinued.  Great service.

 

Geez, Keith...I didn't even think of contacting Estwing.  Maybe I'll send a pic of mine hoping for the same result. Ever since I bought this one many years ago, I've looked for another hoping to find a slightly lighter one, maybe 20 oz.. That's what clued me into it being discontinued.

Edited January 18, 20242 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

New hammer arrived yesterday and it looks great.  Even fits better in the spot in my toolbox.

That's customer service!!!!

7 hours ago, HandyDan said:

That's customer service!!!!

 

X2!