I’ve never actually used the loop for a hammer—mine’s mostly held a flashlight or sometimes my phone if I’m climbing up and down ladders. Last week, I tried slipping a pair of pliers in there and they slid right out. I feel like it’s more of a hazard than a help for anything small. Maybe the old-school folks really did just keep a hammer in it and that’s why it works best for that?
I’ve tried using that loop for all sorts of stuff, but honestly, nothing fits quite like a hammer. Flashlight? Sure, but it’s always banging against my leg or falling out if I bend over too far. I once tried to stick a tape measure in there—bad idea. Nearly lost it in the attic insulation. Pliers are even worse, like you said, they just slide right through unless you’ve got one of those big, chunky ones.
I think you’re right about it being designed for hammers and not much else. The weight and shape just work. I’ve seen some folks try to get creative—one guy at my last jobsite used his loop to hold a roll of electrical tape, but that only worked because he jammed it in there tight. I guess if you’re desperate, you can make it work for other stuff, but it’s never as secure.
Honestly, I mostly forget the loop is even there until I’m actually using a hammer. The rest of the time, it’s just catching on things or getting in the way. Maybe the old-school guys had it figured out—keep it simple and stick with the hammer.
If someone’s got a trick for making it useful for smaller tools, I’d love to hear it. For now, mine’s just collecting dust... or occasionally smacking me in the knee when I walk too close to something.