I am a cabinet maker/ remodeler so I don't have to use a hammer all that often, a couple times a week at best. I find myself looking for nails to hit because I like the hammer so much. The wide claw works great for removing nails without doing damage to surface.

This is by far the best hammer I have ever owned, don't waste you money on another cheap hammer, if you use this tool to make your living it is worth every penny.

These other reviews seem to me dead-on. I love this hammer so much that I even called Douglas to tell them in person that their 23 oz framer is great, but the claw is the worst I've ever used for almost everything. It's too fat. If the hammer had an Estwing claw, I'd bronze it.

From the moment I used one belonging to a friend I knew I had to have one. I had never seen one before then and it handles like a dream. I looked all over town until finally searching on the internet to find and order one. That was two years ago and I still love this tool.
The original had three thru-handle studs, but mine (and I guess all the newer ones) has two. I figure its probably a concession to the production process as its doesn't seem to make any difference.
The waffle face is great...provides enough grip on nail heads, but doesn't tear stuff up (wood and fingers) like regular waffle faces do when you miss. The side pull feature is handy and the claws work fine for me.
This is the most expensive hammer I ever bought...but I don't regret it for a second.
In life, I've decided you only have to buy the best tools once.
I may buy another and put it away some place safe just to make sure I always have one in case they stop making them again for some reason or someone steals mine.

When it first came out of the box I wasn't sure about it. I thought maybe I could have gone for the 20 ounce version and I wasn't sure that I liked the shortness of the nail pulling space between the claws even though I knew they had to be that way to integrate with the overall design. To my surprise both are perfect.

I have been framing and finishing for over twenty years and I've seen a lot come and go and this is about the best. Douglas has solved every problem associated with framing hammers for professional use. Even the non-roundness of the handle gives better grip. I use the magnetic nail setter every day either doing fasia overhead or squeezing through a deck railing for rim joists. The side pull feature is really nice for grabbing nail heads before rocking them out with the claws. The reverse milled face is an excellent feature because it doesn't tear up fingers and finish work so much but give it some time to rough up to grip nail heads better.

I almost hate to use it because it is so beautiful and I'm just scratching it up by making a living with it but it's still nicer than those ...ugly lightweights with ax handles (save those for the amatures). My next tool buy will likely be the 18 ounce finish version.

If you like good tools to do your work you won't be disapointed.

This hammer is great!It is well-balanced and hits hard.The side-strike feature and the magnetic nail holder work very well.Handle replacement(if you ever need it!)will be easy.The head shape is very good also.Excellent side nail puller.Why,if I love it so much,did I only rate it 3 stars?The claws on this hammer are,at best,[unacceptable]!If you would like to hollow out a log canoe this is your tool.I have beat ... many a board when trying to pull walls around.The indented waffles are passable.If this hammer had Estwing type claws it would be the best framing hammer ever.I had to downgrade my rating because the handle broke in less than 2 weeks!I will buy a new handle and try it again.Right now I'd spend half the money and buy a Stanley Fat Max!