I bought this hammer about a month ago and now I'm back ordering 3 more for a co-worker and my 2 bosses'. The long handle and nail starting head make it great for nailing above your head. The handle is lightweight and comfortable. As for the nail pulling issue I have read about in other reviews, I think it works fine, I would say about 85% of nails I can pull-not including finish nails. The only issue I have is the grove on the head of the hammer where the nail sits in -- after a little use the waffle points on the face of the hammer flatten out and get in the way of the grove, and 20p nails don't fit in the grove to begin with. After a little filing it should work fine..

While steel headed death sticks have a nice feel when you swing them, these hammers will rust without every day oiling, they wear out very quickly and I don't recomend them to anyone. I do however recomend the high quality line of titanium death stick hammers which last a long time and can't rust. If a titanium hammer is out of your price range and you want a decent checkered face ripping claw hammer, your best bet is probably a 22 ounce fatmax which is made by stanley.

I HAVE HAD 2 DEATH STIX AND HAVE REPLACED BOTH HANDLES ONCE WITH THE NORMAL WOOD ONES. MY FIRST ONE LASTED ALMOST A YEAR. THE SECOND ONE ABOUT 2 MONTHS. GET THE GRAPHITE REPLACEMENT HANDLE AND YOU'LL BE MUCH HAPPIER. I GO ABOUT 225lbs AND HAVE HUNG OFF A POLLBARN WITHOUT BREAKING THIS HANDLE.

The Death Stick is peachy in the right circumstances, and the magnetic nail slot is handy every so often for 8d nails or longer. But there are drawbacks to buying it.

(1) The handle is infamous for breaking. (I've wrapped a rubber-gasketed pipe clamp just below the head of mine to protect the neck.) If you're a pro you know that you use a framing hammer for a lot more than just driving nails into wood, and if the handle of your hammer breaks too often when you stress it, you get scared of it, and that's not good.

(2) The handle of the Death Stick is too narrow just where you want to hold it for maximum driving power. In my opinion, and I'm no engineer, the handle should be re-shaped to more nearly conventional contours.

(3) The pre- and post-purchase customer service from the company is sketchy to crappy. I figure if the handle of mine breaks I'm on my own. Speaking of which, the hardware guy who sold me mine said a framing crew supervisor had been in the day before to buy three dozen replacement handles!

(4) The "19-inch handle" -- regardless of how generously you measure it -- is no longer than 17.5 inches. I wonder why the manufacturer would lie by 8% about something that's so easy to check.

Buy this hammer only for the fun of owning it, not because you think it's a day-to day tool that you as a professional framer require.

The Death Stick is peachy in the right circumstances, and the magnetic nail slot is handy every so often for 8d nails or longer. But there are drawbacks to buying it.

(1) The handle is infamous for breaking. (I've wrapped a rubber-gasketed pipe clamp just below the head of mine to protect the neck.) If you're a pro you know that you use a framing hammer for a lot more than just whomping nails into wood, and if the handle of your hammer breaks too often when you stress it, you get scared of it, and that's not good.

(2) The handle is too narrow just where you want to hold it for maximum driving power, although the hatchet (California) shape does lock in nicely against the heel of your hand when you grip it all the way to the butt. In my opinion, and I'm no engineer, the handle should be re-shaped to more nearly conventional contours.

(3) The post-purchase customer service from the company is sketchy to crappy. I figure if the handle of mine breaks I'm on my own. Speaking of which, the hardware guy who sold me mine said a framing crew supervisor had been in the day before to buy three dozen replacement handles!

Buy this hammer only for the fun of owning it, not because you think it's a day-to day tool that professional framers require.

IT BROKE THE FIRST TIME I USED IT.WASTE OF MY TIME & MONEY!

Got my Death Stick with additional handles a few weeks ago. I have used a number of framing hammers, along with general use hammers. Having the magnet in the head is sweet. I used to also break a handle a week, but with the curved handle I haven't broken one yet. The only drawback (especially with the curved handle) is trying to do non-framing work with it, like setting tack strips for carpet, finish nailing, etc. But that is why it's called a framing hammer

When I bought my first one a year and a half ago, I loved it. The only complane I have is there are no replacement handles.

I have been a carpenter for 17 years and have used every kind of hammer you can think of. At first I was not sure about the death stick handle. But after about a day or so I noticed much more control with the curved handle. The handle has a oblong feel to it. If you have small hands look for another hammer. The hammer has a great impact force! The Magnet on my hammer should be a little bit stronger, but it still holds the nail fine as long as you swing soft. The handle is only 17 1/2", not 19". It is a driving hammer not a pulling hammer. The claw is great but you can not beat a metal hammer for demo. If you just frame houses, for the price, this is the hammer.

I received my Death Stick a month ago and have been extremely pleased with it. After reading the other reviews I gave it a real work out the first couple weeks and it has stood up to every test. I've used it for everything already, framing, demolition and stripping concrete forms and it is one tough son of a gun, there are not any signs of wear in the steel as of yet. Very worthwhile purchase.

I was so excited to get my new hammer, I thought it would be worth it, But within 3 day's after getting it the magnet fell out of my hammer, Which was the main reason for buying it. It would be nice if someone would have a way to contact dead on tools so I could tell them how dissapointed I am after spending that kind of money.....

In my thirty years of slam hammer renovation, I've broken a lot of tools, but never while they we still shiny. In theory, the hatchet style handle gave added control, but the head snapped off the first time it was used to pull.

Aprehensive of a hammer with a wood handle, and the california framer design, I purchased the Death Stick 24 because of the magnetic nail starter. After receiving my new toy, I was pleasantly suprised at the balance of the tool. It quickly became my only framing hammer. The nail starter is a great aid for those long reaches, the face was reasonably sharp, and the claws actually pulled nails!! The only complaint is the advertized "19 inch" handle actually measures a conveinient 16" inside face to square handle. Oh darn. I also purchased the "exumer" cats paw. I would venture to say that if you were to buy one new tool this year, the "Exumer" is the tool to have. This particular design has to be the easiest way to move a nail other than driving it with the "stick". The sharp points and narrow body make this a must have tool. Looking for more great ideas from Dead On!!

Thanks, Wyogoose@Yahoo.com

death

I ordered a Death Stick and anxiously awaited its arrival. Amazon and Tool Crib did a great job delivering my order quickly. Then I took the Death Stick to work and showed it off to all the other guys on the job site. All were impressed with the magnetic nail set and balance of the hammer. That was at 7am. At 10am I was showing all the guys on the site how the handle had snapped off on the first nail I tried to pull with it. I wasn't even pulling with any force. Glad I wasn't up on a ladder trying to get a stubborn nail loose or it could have been quite a wreck. After looking at the handle where it snapped off (right where it goes into the head) and the opening that it fits into, it appears that the narrowness of the handle where it enters the head and the small amount of wood that actually takes all the stress would make this a common problem with this hammer. A better name for this product would be Dead Stick. Buy a Woody.

I have been framing for 15 years. I paid 55 CDN for this hammer and the handle broke off at the head after 1 week. The dealer was a total jerk and said too bad we don't warrant the handle. The problem is that the 18" handle provides too much leverage for the sharply tapered handle where it fits into the head. El snappo, no no more handle I bet they are out of business within the year.

My father has an entire garage full of tools, including more than two dozen hammers. Of course, all he ever says when you ask about a gift is "tools". Despite the positive reviews by other customers, I was still a little nervous about getting him one for Father's day.

The death stick proved me wrong. Dad loves it. It's become his favorite "big job" hammer and the first tool I've bought him (without being given a model number) in several years that he actually liked. I think I'll get him the next size down for Christmas.

I bought a death stick for my self and loved it. My father used it and fell in love too. Prefect gift for fathers day for a dad who has everything.

I recently purchased a Death Stick from a local sales person and I find the Death Stick to be very disappointing.The magnet will not stay intact if the hammer is used to proform normal carpentry procedures.Also the material used to cast the head of the hammer is to soft and chips very easily.

I bought this hammer because of alot of hype. I don't really like the handle so much, it hurts my hand. The magnet is a good idea, but I have only used it a couple of times in the past 3 months. They need to find a better way to keep the magnet in there, I glued mine back in.

I used the hammer to construct a booth at the tools of the trade show this weekend. The hammer was easy on the wrist and drove the nails with only a couple of hits. A must for any weekend warrior or frammer.

Up here in Alaska, we are very cautious with our purchases,especially in the field of hardware. When I first saw this hammer, orGOD STICK as I now call it, I was a little skeptical of its powers. This price for a hammer?", I thought. Luckily, my wife Elen, may she rest in peace, got it for me as a Labor Day gift. This hammer was the best investment I have ever made! At most, 3 whacks sends Mr. Rusty Nail into his proper place. Not only does this superior tool serve as the BEST HAMMER ON EARTH, but is also light enough to keep in my glove box just for safety precautions. I greatly encourage anyone considering this wonder-hammer to buy it. It is well worth the price and pretty much "pays for itself".

I'm a carpentry contractor who has been searching for the perfect framing hammer for 33 years and where do I finaly find it? Of all places a bookstore! Hammers with curved handles make it easy to drive 8d nails with one whack; 2 whacks for a 16. Unfortunatly my last curved handle framing hammer had a weird head positioning which made it difficult to toe nail floor joists. No problem with the DS24-C. The magnetic nail holder is the best method for nailing out of reach and it should become standard on all hammers. Warning to novices: Hitting your fingers with this or any other waffle head hammer always produces almost intolerable pain and a bloody mess.

I work for a carpenter contractor in WI, when I started I was using an Estwing, which I liked because it was tough. But when I started using my Death Stick with the magnet in the head and the curved handle-I would NEVER go back. That magnet is worth it's weight in gold, it's most useful when you're hanging way out or just a foot or two out of reach. I've had other guys borrow it just so they don't have to go get a ladder. Also the 24oz head is perfect especially when you're setting floor trusses-you can pretty much wax anyone driving 16s.

This hammer is one of the most elegant and effective tools I've ever used. The Deathstick is truly a superior hammer. Unfortunately, the milled face has given my thumb a nice black waffle pattern a few times, but . . . it happens. I appreciate the fact that Deathstick hammers were the first to be Y2K compliant. It's versatile for a variety of situations -- roofing, framing, decking, drywall, barroom brawls, etc.

This hammer really bangs the heck out of anything near it. I'm so glad that I can use this forum to finally tell the world about this wonderful tool. It never has hit my thumb and it actually drives nails and sharp objects into wood. It also has the nice "remove" feature that magically prys nails and other objects from the wood. It's come in handy many times when I've been locked out of my car or houseboat. BANG and I'm in! One word: "Buy this hammer!"

This hammer has attitude! Magnetic head allows the hammer to be easily used with one hand. The curved handle hads comfort when we have to be swinging them all day long.