This is the 12-ounce version of the E3-16C, and though it’s smaller and lighter, it’s still well balanced, indestructible, and just as comfortable to grip and swing. The E3-20S also has a straight claw (as opposed to a curved one, like on our other picks), so this hammer is better suited to demolition work and serious prying. It gets the job done for small stuff—but so does our 16-ounce top pick (which we prefer as a more versatile option, since the 12-ounce hammer can struggle with larger nails). The E3-20S has all of the other exceptional hallmarks of an Estwing hammer, including its unadorned simplicity. This smaller version of our top pick is great if you need something that’s easier to swing or that has a more delicate touch for hanging photos or assembling furniture.

When we compared the two side by side, the handle of the Ox Tools hammer was less comfortable to hold, since the logo is slightly raised. After countless hours of pounding, pulling, and tapping nails, we’re confident that the Estwing E3-16C is the best hammer for around-the-house use. During my 10 years working in the construction industry, I saw more carpenters using this hammer than any other model. Also, the neck of the tool has “OXGRIP” carved into it, and it adds nothing except a place for dirt and grime to build up.I have an Estwing hatchet with this style of grip, and after years of use, the coating has become cracked and is starting to chip off. To learn more about hammers, I interviewed Mark Piersma and Mike Lancelotta, two high-end carpenters who work in the Boston area. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). The E3-16C’s curved claw is better for pulling nails, and its 16-ounce size hits the sweet spot for general, around-the-house use.

The Ox Tools Pro 16-Ounce Claw Hammer is similar to the Estwing E3-16C in that it’s a solid metal hammer with a simple look and feel to it. The curved claw is ideally suited to pulling nails, and its striking face gives a clearer line of sight than tools with oversized heads. Composite hammers consist of a fiberglass or graphite handle (like a tennis racquet) connected to the metal head with an epoxy. As a single piece of steel that starts at the head and ends at the base of the handle, there is no way for the head to separate from the handle or for the handle to break. According to Estwing, the handle contains “the best available grip for reducing vibrations caused by impact.We also didn’t like that the logo is carved into the neck of the hammer because it just collected gunk and dirt.