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csgambill
Jan 18, 2007, 1:54 AM
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Registered: May 3, 2004
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For those of you out there who aren't afraid to hammer pins once in a while, do you prefer Black Diamond's hammer or OP's? Really, I'm curious about details like: Does the heavier OP hammer drive pins easier than BD's? Is OP's funky rubber grip awkward and hard to hold? I've used the Black Diamond hammer, which seems fine to me, but I've never had the chance to check out OP's hammer and would love to have some input from someone who has actually used the thing.
(This post was edited by csgambill on Jan 18, 2007, 2:02 AM)
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summerprophet
Jan 18, 2007, 2:42 AM
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Registered: Jan 17, 2004
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You cant go wrong with the BD Yosemite Hammer. It is what all others are judged by. I have the OP hammer, and it works fine, although the rubber over steel gets a little slick at times. The pointed end on the OP is a little sharper as well, I have heard of poeple copperheading without punches with it, but they are braver than I. In short, grab the OP if you are going to use it mostly for cleaning routes and getting up the occasional wall, spend the extra dough only of you are determined to be a true wall pirate. That being said, get the cheapest thing out there. Clean aid is the future. Save you cash for cam hooks and micro offsets.
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holdplease2
Jan 18, 2007, 3:07 AM
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Registered: Dec 18, 2002
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Have to say it, so sorry in advance...but seconding the press for Clean(er) climbing. Nailing the scheit out of beautiful granite is no longer the way to prove you're "the man." Preserving the granite/sandstone is the way to go. But for the nailing routes/situations that do exist (and I do nail, but try to limit it) Regarding Hammers: These days folks aren't sinking massive pins, angles, bongs, needing super-heavy hammers. Most typically, when climbing in good style, the only placements that are nailed tend to be dellicate ones: * Beaks and blades...crumple under heavy hammering * Super-thin expando flakes...take a gentle hand or they are no more. * Heading - btw - use a chisel. This way if your hammer swing is off its just a dull hit. Without a chisel or an arrow between your hammer and the placement, a bad swing is just destroying an already dicy placement. * Also, the occasional lost arrow in the most bomber slot to hold your gigantic whipper. Yes, the "drive 'em home" placements Therefore, having the heavier hammer may not always be an advantage. Plus, a heavier hammer is heavier on your harness, it can be harder to control the swing, etc. Of course, I'm a 5'4" female, so it probably matters more to me. In the event that you get to a bomber arrow and need to drive it home, either hammer will do. And the Yosemite hammer has been enough, if not more than enough for a long, long time. In the event that you need a super-heavy hammer to clean the pins or are having trouble using the "normal" weighted hammer, such as the Yosemite hammer, you may be over-driving pins...they don't all have to hold a truck to hold a body or a fall. Anyway, I hope this helps. -Kate.
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pmyche
Jan 18, 2007, 5:33 AM
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Registered: Jan 21, 2004
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iamthewallress
Jan 20, 2007, 7:10 AM
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Registered: Jan 2, 2003
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Not being very big or strong, I sold my OP b/c it was literally too heavy for me to swing it one handed. I have a BD now, and it works great for me. Burlier friends like bigger hammers for bolting, but I can't control them well enough for it to be a bonus.
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srwings
Jan 20, 2007, 11:59 AM
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Registered: Jun 27, 2004
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Anyone have experience using a bell hammer?
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greatgarbanzo
Feb 12, 2007, 4:13 AM
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The cheapest one you can get! I use a carpenter hammer, only $4! jajajaa
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majid_sabet
Feb 12, 2007, 4:56 AM
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greatgarbanzo wrote: The cheapest one you can get! I use a carpenter hammer, only $4! jajajaa i got one of home depot and cut the tip
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euroford
Feb 13, 2007, 2:16 AM
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Registered: Aug 26, 2002
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my sisters hubby, an ironworker, really liked my BD so i let him keep it. i replaced it with a kong eagle. functionally simular, but kind of a bit cooler looking. it hasn't seen too much use yet, but i think it will get the job done fine. from what i see commercially available, i think the BD and the kong are the best available choices. also maybe some of the vintage A5 stuff.
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pbcowboy77
Feb 13, 2007, 8:34 PM
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Registered: Jun 9, 2002
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Someone just gave me a vintage A5 big wall hammer for my B-day... I'm gonna give it a go this summer.
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kristoffer
Feb 18, 2007, 7:35 AM
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Registered: Feb 1, 2005
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I own the omega wall hammer and I have driven a ton of iron with it and overall I am happy with it, however be warned, it needs one crucial modification if you are going to be up on a wall were a hammer is mandatory. The eye-screw on the end of the handle where you attach your leash has a possibility of unscrewing/striping its self from the handle after prolonged use (dropping it to let it hand from its leash after you slam some pins). Ask Ammon and Chris about this one, they have a good story. So to fix it I just drilled a hole about an inch and ½ from the bottom of the handle and fed some 1/8 inch cable through it and then swaged it, now it’s bombproof. All and all, i like the hammer.
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skinner
Feb 18, 2007, 3:51 PM
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Registered: Nov 1, 2004
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Even though I regularly bash in my share of pins, I have to agree with Kate... at least when it comes to granite. In rotten limestone, and especially on alpine routes, I never leave home without them. On the other hand, I leave the pins at home when on granite. I prefer a light hammer especially when tapping in KB's. They're just too easy to bend and/or create stress cracks right at the fold which forms the eye when using a big hammer. There is always a selection of hammers on ebay btw. -Kevin
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