A couple of months ago, Dewalt expanded their hammer and striking tool selection with quite a few new SKUs. Now, they’re expanding their striking tool selection with a new range of “precision claw bars,” engineering sledge hammers, drilling hammers, and blacksmith sledge hammers.
Dewalt is classifying all of the new tools as demolition tools.
The new precision claw bar, which especially caught my attention, features precision-sharpened claws for exposing nail heads with minimal damage, an I-beam-style steel shaft that’s strong yet light, and an extra-wide striking surface to help users get under nails or behind material for prying.
There will also be a new flat prying bar.
The new short-handled Dewalt sledge hammers, available in drilling, engineering, and blacksmith head styles, feature a forged steel head, overstrike protection, a durable fiberglass handle, and rubberized grip.
Here are all the new SKUs:
- 2lb Fiberglass Drilling Sledge Hammer (DWHT56141), $14.50
- 3lb Fiberglass Drilling Sledge Hammer (DWHT56142), $14.99
- 2.5lb Fiberglass Engineering Sledge Hammer (DWHT56143), $15.99
- 2.5lb Fiberglass Blacksmith Sledge Hammer (DWHT561460, $16.99
- 4lb Fiberglass Blacksmith Sledge Hammer (DWHT56147), $18.99
- 4lb Fiberglass Engineering Sledge Hammer (DWHT56148), $20.99
- 9″ Precision Claw Bar (DWHT55164), $10.99
- 12″ Precision Claw Bar (DWHT55166), $17.99
- 18″ Precision Claw Bar (DWHT55168), $22.99
- 15″ Spring Steel Flat Bar (DWHT55160), $16.99
The new Dewalt hammers and bars will be available at Dewalt retailers.
Compare(Estwing Sure Strike Fiberglass Hammers via Amazon)
Discussion
I really love Estwing’s I-Beam pry bar, and wish they they made nail pullers with a similar handle design. Perhaps Dewalt’s new I-beam claw bars are the next-best thing?
As for the hammers, Dewalt’s prices are quite attractive. $15 for a 3lb drilling sledge hammer? $16 for a 2.5 lb engineering sledge, and $17 for a 2.5 lb blacksmith hammer? Those are compelling arguments.
I have a Stanley FatMax 3lb drilling hammer, and although I don’t use it very often, it’s a permanent part of my toolbox. Based on my experiences with that drilling hammer, I can kind of understand what Dewalt is going for with their new short-handle hammers and sledge hammers. A fiberglass handle sheds some weight compared to steel, and I would guess this makes the new hammers slightly easier to swing. At the least, maybe it slightly lowers how much a hammer weighs in your bag, pouch, or box? Or maybe it’s just to keep the costs down.
If I had to buy a new drilling hammer today, it’d be an Estwing ($25 via Amazon). When I bought my FatMax long ago, I made the choice based on price – it was $15 at Amazon at the time. Today, I’d spend more to get the USA-made Estwing. But, if I didn’t want to spend more than $15, the new Dewalt hammers might make it to my shortlist.
I wonder why Dewalt went with fiberlgass handles with overstrike protection, rather than the vibration-dampening handles found in Stanley FatMax AntiVibe handles. Maybe they didn’t want the new hammers to compete with their EcoCore carbon fiber sledge hammers, which start at 4lbs.
I wish I was a little more excited about Dewalt’s new hammers and claw bars, but at the least I don’t see any glaring hesitations. There’s nothing wrong with new tools not being very flashy or revolutionary.
I will point out that Estwing’s Sure Strike fiberglass-handled sledge hammers are comparably priced, and even lower priced for some models. A quick look at some of those users reviews, which are overwhelmingly positive, should ease any concerns about weightier hammer heads being paired with fiberglass handles.
