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.
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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.
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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.
Nathan
what’s the metal plug on the side of the precision claw bar?
Paul
It’s like a divet tool, it’s hollow so you put it over a stubborn nail, smack the flat side to drive it in, and have access to the nail head
Stuart
I’m with Paul – I’d guess it’s to create a shallow moat around stubborn nails.
It’s a good question, too. My nail pullers don’t have this, although my Dead-on nail puller has something similar in appearance which is actually a box wrench they say can be used on circular saw arbor nuts. I’ve never used that feature, or the built-in bottle opener.
Cr8on
Yes that is exactly what it’s for, I have a DeWalt nail puller I picked up a couple years ago that has it as well, very useful.
Altan
Yes it is, but it is made of a softer metal, something similar to Aluminium not the same metal as the body is, I have the old version and I don’t like it, Estwing is much better in hammers, just look at this one that they have
https://estwingtools.co.uk/estwing-burpee-pick-2-25lb-blue-nylon-grip-ebp500
Estwing is the only brand which make a Pick which is made of one piece of metal, quite expensive, but for a life.
fred
For removing nails from crates and pallets (once both made from tough wood like oak) the slide hammer pullers like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Crescent-56-Nail-Puller/dp/B00002N7SD/
were also made to create a recess around the nail head allowing the jaws to grip.
Yadda
Learned something today. That is a new function on an old tool that I can use. I have the Dead On tools, the bottle opener is a neat feature, but I’ve never used it either.
Mattd
Why would u ruin the face on a hammer like that 3lb in the picture. I do not understand what they are thinkinh.
Stuart
That’s a “concentrated strike face for precise striking power,” presumably more for demo applications. The opposite face appears to be a standard flat drilling hammer profile.
John
Thanks for filling us in. Not sure I would need it as my 40 year old 3lb hammer will outlast me and the next guy that owns it!
Yadda
I’ve picked up several old 3 lb hammers over the years. All of them worked great. Some of them easily 40+ years old when I got them.
Wayne R,
For the two tools pictured, I feel like I need an instruction book. And there might be one. How crazy is that?
Altan
I have some DeWALT hammers, they are nice, especially this
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-Demolition-Hammer-DWHT51366/301283381
and this
https://www.dewalt.com/products/hand-tools/hammers-and-pry-bars/20-oz-bricklayer-hammer/dwht51389
Jammer
The prices seem reasonable, but I’m pretty happy with my Gedore 20 E-1250 Club hammer. I used that for hours straight and really loved the feel and balance. Check out my review on KCTOOL. From the pictures, the DeWalt and Estwing hammers appear to have a fairly small striking face compare to the rest of the head when I compare to the gedore club hammers. The gedore are definitely pricier and some take a while to get shipped, so I know they’re not for everyone. But I did use the KCTool toolguyd coupon to make the deal better.
Jim Premo
Where are these hammers manufactured? In the United States and I might be interested.
Doc John
Totally agree. Need pedigree
Jason. W
I have the older version of the nail puller. Great little tool that’s seen a lot of use.
Frank D
Why does mine say Stanley … and the one pictured Dewalt?
Oh, that’s right 😉
Stuart
I noticed the similarity as well, but the Stanley doesn’t have the I-beam profile.
Frank D
Correct. The center is indeed considerably less thick, giving it that I-beam look / profile.