Hand Tools: Back to basics

Reviewed by:
Scott Gibson, Contributing Editor

Carpenters looking for a new hammer will choose among a variety of exotic designs and materials. This 20-oz. rip from Vaughan is as basic as hammers get these days, akin to spotting a familiar Chevrolet sedan in a parking lot of foreign sports cars.

The 20-oz. head is attached to the 14-in. hickory handle the old fashioned way -? with steel and wood wedges. When the handle breaks or otherwise wears out, it can be replaced. This ?999? pattern hammer from Vaughan is made entirely in the U.S. It's available with either a smooth or milled face. In December 2004, it had an equally basic price of about $21.