VAUGHAN DALLUGE 16oz Titanium Hammer, Magnetic Nail Holder, Smooth Face, VN07182

The Vaughan Dalluge hammer is very impressive, even though it’s manufactured in China and not the USA. The handle is a bit longer than I expected but that’s understandable as it’s a framing hammer. The handle diameter is great as I don’t have large hands and can comfortably grip it firmly. The head of the hammer isn’t to large and with a flat top means you can get into tight corners. The fit and finish of the hammer I received was in perfect condition. The Hickory handle grain orientation was correct with no runout on the sides. The head was tightly fixed to the handle with no play at all. The only problem I had was with UPS that messed up the shipping, where tracking it became almost impossible. I had to chase Amazon support multiple times to track the package and expedite it. Amazon eventually credited me back the shipping costs and expedited it to get the delivery to be sooner, which I’m grateful for. I have no regrets with my purchase as it’s one of the nicest hammers I’ve ever purchased.

Very light, nice quality, nail set works well. I got it because I wanted a hammer with a wooden handle (easier to get in and out of hammer loop on tool belt) that I could still use to pull nails. It’s great. Allen screws need to be tightened so head is attached properly.

Beautiful hammer. Lovely to use. Only negative thing I will say - double check the torque on the handle bolts. Mine were super loose out of the package, and needed to be tightened.

If the fit and finish was done properly I would give this 4 stars, as it’s a nice looking hammer - however mine came with the head offset to one side, which results in the alignment being slightly off center while swinging. The weight and size is great, but I just feel for $130 the head should be centered on the handle. I would return it if I didn’t need it for work every day. Update: returned the hammer and got a replacement and it was even more twisted than the first. Sobering experience shopping on Amazon.

Good lite weight, hard striking hammer . The claws are straight and sharp, making it easy to pull nails. The wooden handle is horrible. It does not fit well, and feels splintered. I took 150 grit sandpaper, and took some time to sand down the handles. Afterwards i washed down the handle with cold water. Now the handle feels usable.

I grew up in construction on a 24 ounce Vaughan steel framing hammer. I still have the original 24 ounce head, though I've been through a few handles. Been out of the business for decades, but in preparation for building my own house start to finish, I looked into titanium because I knew my elbow wouldn't take almost a year of the old Vaughan. I picked up this 16 ounce Dalluge based upon great reviews. I also picked up a 12 ounce Stilleto and a 14 ounce Stilleto for my sons. Wish I could return the Stilleto's as there is no comparison. In fact my son broke his handle right off (his fault) and the magnet also fell out. Stilleto was kind enough to send him a replacement magnet. I dont' think he would have broken this Dalluge handle though, in fact I'm certain. Having handled two Stilettos, the old Vaughan, and various old fiberglass types, I can't say enough about this Dalluge. -There is no comparison whatsoever to a steel hammer: I'll never go back. -When swinging, it 'feels' lighter than the 14 ounce Stiletto. Probably the balance, which is exquisite. -The head design is impressive. Straight/swept and strong claw, magnetic nail holder, and side nail puller. The top of the head and the face are flat, and after a while you sort of realize it, because you're making the nails flush up easily in corners and tight spots that would have been a pain with the rounded face. The nailing face is large and just the right size. -The hickory handle has nice grain quality. The straight handled version is the way to go and helps swing with deadly accuracy. The grip shape is just right, at least for my hand. No grip or tension issues. -The Douglas handle to head mounting system is unique and strong. I believe the shock absorbing claim of this method... at least my elbow sure does. I had to tighten the two allen screws a few weeks into using it. Haven't had to touch them again in a year. Appears to be just a breaking-in procedure between the head and handle. -Break the handle in with good old fashioned sweat before considering wrapping it with racket tape. I never have found the need. The handle is so tuned with use/age now, I can't tell what sort of original finish it was compared to the Stiletto. What I can say is that it now feels like it is closer to natural wood and grips very well, whereas both Stilettos still have a shiny finish and don't grip as well. I have always lightly sanded down my new handles in the past, but the Dalluge didn't need this. -As for durability, a year later and there is not a single ding on the handle, due to its design, though I know for a fact I chunked the handle a few times pretty hard... it happens. The titanium has held up well, no chips to speak of and still has a decent waffle pattern for talking to nails, though after so much mistreatment the waffle is pretty worn. This includes having shown no mercy whatsoever on hitting steel tools with this hammer... catspaw and flatbar. Tried not to, but did so in the interest of expediency on many occasions. -The Dalluge swings fast, accurate, and hard. I've never swung a hammer that immediately felt so perfect to me. There was no 'getting used to it'. It was just right from day one. I've picked up my old 24 ounce steel Vaughan a few times and just cringe at the weight and balance. I absolutely can't believe I used to swing that hammer 50 hours a week. Insane. Even my 20 ounce smooth-faced decking hammer feels terribly heavy and unbalanced. If I wasn't planning a blind-fastener system for my deck, I guarantee I'd be buying the Dalluge DDT16P smooth faced version too - may just buy it anyway on principle. To top it off, it's got an original look that oozes 'I mean business'. The price just compounds the beating-down of the competition. If I was once again a full time framer - I'd only be using the Dalluge for sure. Look no further and give this framer a try. Dalluge 7180 16 Ounce Titanium Hammer

Seller and shipping was excellent! 5 STARS. The titanium head is great, not so much the Chicago screws and the finish on the hickory handle. For a hammer this expensive I would want better quality, but the main issue is actually with the screws that attach the handle to the head, it was shipped loose, so upon receiving the hammer I tightened the screws (normal pressure) only to find out that the metal in these screws are of the worst quality, so now there are metal burrs sticking up ready to rip the skin unless sanded down. For this alone its going to be a 5 star for the titanium head, 2.5 for the handle that needs sanding and proper fit and 0 stars for the screws. 3 stars. Attached image not sure it comes across.

I bought this hammer 9 years ago, and have used it just about every day since then. The once waffled face is worn smooth (a problem with all titanium hammers...steel nails are harder metal than the face of the hammer), and the little magnet on top that once started nails fell out years ago. I replaced the handle immediately with a custom one made from Bacote (because it looks awesome, and I’m a carpenter) which attracts a surprising amount of attention. There’s nothing wrong with the hickory one, some day I’ll probably break the exotic one and need a replacement. When comparing hammers, weight is the single most important consideration. The advertised head weight is only one factor. The stilleto, for example is a titanium alternative I considered. The issue is, the all Ti construction is actually HEAVIER than a 24oz wood handled hammer. I’m sure it reduces vibration compared to steel handles, but not better than wood. The problem with wood is that it tends to break at the head. This hammer design gives you the strength of A Ti neck, and the great balance, low vibration, and light weight of a Ti head. The claws are the perfect shape. Perfect. Easy to swing under a plate, great for nail pulling. The side puller is part of the head casting, and easily my favorite feature. Nails are never too close to adjoining surfaces for the side puller. My only caveat is that it doesn’t have the weight to drive plates flush, or really anything where a sledge would be a better choice. Carry a light hammer, you’re compromising your bashing power. True of all Ti hammers. I think it has an eye catching design. I know it has great ergonomics. I can attest to the durability of the construction. It’s crazy light, but I can still drive 16’s in two strokes. I wish dalluge was paying me to say these things, and I’ll happily accept any endorsement money they think I deserve, but I’m extolling this hammers virtue because it’s true.

The Vaughan DDT16P is an outstanding hammer lightweight, powerful, and beautifully balanced, making long sessions far less tiring than with a traditional steel hammer. The smooth face strikes cleanly, and the straight claw gives great leverage for pulling nails. The only minor issue I noticed was that the wooden handle was a little rough where it joins the head, but a quick sand and oil sorted it out easily. Overall, it’s a top‑quality tool that performs exactly as you’d expect from Vaughan. Highly recommended.

I bought it because I thought it would be made in the USA. Sadly as I received it I recognized it is made in China and only the Hickory Handle is still made in the USA. You can easily see that the quality is not the same as before. They screw the handle to the hammer head and glue it too with kind of epoxy or so. It will be a pain in the ass to change the handle if broken. In my personal case they needed so much epoxy on one side of the handle because the hammer head was formed so imprecise that the wooden handle did not fit in the routed channel of the head. i am really disappointed. For that money yoou hould receive way more. Sadly there is no good titanium hammer left. Stiletto is not the same too. The stilettos with the wooden handle come from china too. Only the stiletto full body titanium hammers are still made in the US.

Beautifully weighted, sturdy design and super ergonomic. Highly recommend

I've been slinging hammers now for about 11 years. I've owned Estwings, Dewalts, Stilettos and many more. My current hammer for the past 6 years has been the stiletto 16 oz titanium smooth faced hammer. I've owned the Dalluge for one day, and I can already tell you that this is the best hammer I have ever used. It is so superior to my stiletto in every way possible. - This hammer is ultralight, it almost feels like a toy but it hits hard. It's a 16 oz, but it feels half the weight of my current hammer. -The balance is perfect, it doesn't have a heavy top end so you can swing it all day. -The claws and side puller work perfectly, I can even pull brad nails. To address peoples issues with breaking the handle, it's made of wood. Any wooden handle will break if misused. I myself have broken my stiletto handle prying with it. If you encounter a nail, or object that you are putting all your strength into prying then be a professional and grab a wrecking bar. Leverage is your friend. This is a professionals tool, so don't act like a handyman. Wood is amazing for shock obsorbtion, which will save your wrists. Its a hammer, not a wrecking tool. This hammer is worth every cent, don't hesitate to purchase it.

Nice weighted hammer saving the wrist and elbow