How important is it to use a hammer specifically designed for climbing? I haven't invested in my own hammer yet, just wondering if a ball-peen hammer or something would work just as well. That BD hammer is pretty expensive...

NS

Nate,

Back in the day we used to use geology hammers, the kind with a long sharp point on the backside. The ones with a wooden handle were best because you could drill a hole for a keeper sling (a must) and thread a sling up near the head for cleaning pins. These always worked for me, until I got enough scratch to by a Stubai piton hammer.

I would also tape the handle really well below the head for a few inches.

Nate,

Since you'll new to aid climbing I would start by cleaning clean only and leave the hammer until you start using pins and heads etc. There is a lot of great clean routes out there to keep you busy for many many years. It is also a great learning progression.

I personally don't have a hammer but if I was going to buy one I would get the BD hammer.

Cheers

John

One word: Funkness

It sucks to try and funk out a stubborn pin with the point of attachment below the head.

Do what you want, but I've always found that getting gear that was designed for the purpose to which you are going to apply it is the best way. One, of course, may have limited means, but you end up saving more in the long run by getting what you want/need/desire in the first place.

My advice, which you probably should ignore on general principles.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Omega-Pacific-Wall-Hammer-Climbing-Rock->>>>>

ebay... stuff for cheap.

If you buy a 10 dollar ball peen hammer at home depot it's not gonna last and you'll either be screwed on a wall and or have to buy another. so spen a few extra bucks and buy the wall hammer. The ebay link I put up is for a OP hammer but the BD ones are better and if you keep looking you'll find one for cheap.


Also listen to John, you won't need one for a while...

Good call on the ebay, Thanks. I need to get a hammer for a summer trip when I'll be cleaning and leading pitches. Sharing one hammer on a wall would stink I think. I personally don't lead very hard aid but I'll be cleaning tough aid pitches with pins, heads and all things fun for sure. I find cleaning tiny wires on clean pitches is easier with a hammer and nut tool as well. Anyways, thanks for the advice, I'll probably be looking out on ebay for a used one..

NS

If you are going to cleaning pins, etc, you're need a funkness device as well.

The BD Hammer is really nice...I've had mine for a while, but don't use it as much as I'd like...

I've also used the Omega Pacific hammer & although it's made of "Space Age" materials I still prefer the BD.

FYI even with "clean aid" it's nice to have a hammer (especially for the second) sometimes cleaning a well seated nut can be a time-consuming bitch if you don't have something to smack your nut tool with.

Nate forget the guys telling you to clean aid first. My fondest memories of aid climbing came from the trial and error of beating in pins then standing on them. ( find some crap road cut or something that won't alter a trade route.) BD is expensive and I don't like them over Omega, I have swung this killer hammer my partner has, it's a Kong, I think Bridwell has his name on it. Pins will shudder when you pull that thing out. ITS A BEAST! Happy pounding!