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Issue 2, Spring 2002

Tool Review

Estwing European Roofing Hammers

Note: These hammers were discontinued by Estwing in late 2008.

Like all good slate roofing tools, slate hammers are hard to find if you don’t know where to look. Estwing’s European roofing hammers, which they call Latthammers, are patterned after the German style roofing hammers and are sold primarily to the European market. These hammers would do well in the United States within slate roof restoration circles if they were more readily available on the American market.

Estwing slate hammers are no longer being sold in the U.S.

Estwing tools have been known in the United States since 1923 for quality and craftsmanship. Their hammers are unique in that they are made of solid steel rather than tubular steel and are offered in two styles — extremely durable leather handle grip as well as shock reduction nylon/vinyl grip. Another unique feature of these hammers is the weight — a whopping 34+ ounces per hammer with a 21 ounce (600 gm) head. Overall length is a standard 13” (330mm). The weight of these well-balanced hammers makes them ideally suited for beating a slate ripper into submission. The hammer does the work of removing the slate nails and saves your arms, wrists, and joints from yanking on the ripper. These hammers not only feel good in the hand, but also include a slate punch end and a nail pulling claw. Many slaters have been know to carry two hammers on the job, a lighter weight slate hammer and a heavier regular hammer for beating on the ripper. The Estwing hammer eliminates the need for two hammers, plus it can be used for framing and nailing.

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