Abstract This study examines the withdrawal load and energy capacity of three types of nail fasteners that are commonly used to attach sheathing to framing members: 8d common, annular ring shank, and helical shank. A baseline set of data was collected for single nails in accordance with test methods defined in ASTM D1761. Tests were performed until complete withdrawal occurred in order to quantify the total withdrawal energy. The average peak loads from testing were within 7 to 8 percent of predicted values. The annular and helical nails had much higher peak load capacity as expected, and the withdrawal energy was also greater. A new device was developed in order to subject multiple nails to withdrawal loading simultaneously. Reinforced sheathing was used to transfer load from the hydraulic actuator to the nails, which is more representative of actual structural response where there is load sharing among the nails. This device allowed direct comparison with the single nail results. Further, it also allowed the examination of a “stitched” nailing pattern, where fasteners are driven at alternating angles of ±60° measured from the framing member face. It was found that the stitched pattern resulted in 42 percent higher peak load capacity per fastener for 8d common nails, but for the helical and annular nails, peak load was similar to that achieved with a normal 90° drive angle. Withdrawal energy was 24 to 48 percent higher for all nail types using the stitched pattern.