I heard about the Cole-Bar multi-function hammer back when they were seeking funding via Kickstarter, and opted not to post about it. They were on track to exceed their funding goals, and I wanted to see how things panned out.
Now, the Cole-Bar hammer is available for pre-order, with a shipping ETA of Q1 2014. With half the quarter already over, it means the Cole-Bar will probably ship any day now.
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Read This First: Update: The Cole-Bar hammer has failed to launch
What Can the Cole-Bar Hammer Do?
Well, it’s a hammer. What size? We don’t know, the company never disclosed its weight. My guess is that it’s designed to swing like a 16-ounce claw hammer.
It also features a detachable pry bar that can be used independently of the hammer.
When attached, the pry bar can be folded out to any angle between 0° and 180°.
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It also has a built-in 1/2″ square drive ratchet.
The ratchet’s gearing is what allows the pry bar to be positioned at different angles, so it is presumably going to very strong and robust.
As grabbed from their YouTube video, the Cole-Bar hammer can also be locked in at 90° and used as a quick square. The pry bar has an inch ruler scale, which allows for quick measurements as well.
The Cole-Bar hammer is described as being a hammer, crowbar, demolition tool, angle measurement tool, ruler, socket wrench, and nail pliers. Okay, so it’s a 7-in-1 multi-functional hammer.
Price: $79
Info(via Cole-Bar) – This link is left up for reference. DO NOT BUY!!! See this updated post for details.
This is a neat-looking tool, but I have a couple of hesitations. For the same $79, you could instead purchase a nailing or rip-claw hammer, pry bar, 1/2″ ratchet, square, pliers, and a short ruler.
Yes, hammers have been around for a while, but their designs have been finely tuned over the years. Even Dewalt’s MIG-welded hammers were recently improved upon. If Dewalt, with all of Stanley’s experience in designing and manufacturing hammers cannot get a new design perfect on the first try, I have little confidence that the Cole-Bar hammer will be perfect in its first iteration.
The Cole-Bar has more features than an ordinary hammer, but it as good when used for its primary function? Will it perform as well in its 7 main functions as separate tools?
In a recent Tools of the Trade post, David Frane says:
The prototype I saw was cleverly designed and well-made, and yet I have a hard time figuring out who would benefit by having such a hammer.
A lot of gear sites have nothing but praise for the Cole-Bar, and I cannot fault them for that. But while the Cole-Bar is undeniably cool-looking, it overall seems a little impractical for most types of professional and DIY users. If the Cole-Bar proves unsuitable for contractors and tradesmen, it might still be a good fit in the MRO market, where the hammer’s 7-in-1 functionality and small size would be a boon.
Allen
I have done quite a bit of funding on Kickstarter, I would encourage others to look into it.
Stuart
I have nothing against Kickstarter, but there are some risks involved whenever you invest in a project.
The Cole-Bar hammer was on its way to be funded, and so I didn’t think it needed additional external coverage to help things along. I was a bit iffy and wanted to wait and see what happened. Now that the hammer is being sold, rather than being offered an investment reward, it seemed like a good time for discussion.
Allen
I consider it charitable donation money. Seriously, I can think of no better use for my donation money than some young (mostly) folks trying something new.
I think it takes some real cajones to do something like this, and the least I can do is support them. If I get something back, so much the better.
Jason
This post reminded me of that Straight Flush circular saw that was getting attention a year or so ago. I was wondering if anyone heard what was going on with that.
DanG
I most definitely love this hammer. The looks are superb and the quality is fantastic. The things this hammer can do is more than any other single hammer can do. I would go out and buy this in a heartbeat with the exception of one leading factor… THE PRICE!
Porphyre
Interesting… but it seems like the functionality of the entire device rests on the ratcheting mechanism. When that mechanism starts to wear, the square isn’t square and I imagine the two halves of the hammerhead start banging against each other and ‘singing’ when hammering nails.
I might actually consider it for a DIY toolbox… IF it had a solid head and all the other features were simply a bar hinged into the handle. Becomes 6-in-1 instead of 7-in-1 because there’s no more detachable crowbar…
Les Garten
Looks like a Jack of 7 Trades, master of none.
This will sell to gadget-heads real well.
I am very susceptible to this type of stuff…
KenZ
If well made, then it has a definite niche. I for one actually like the multi-function crap gadgets (I’m not saying this one is crap by the way), with the following notes: A) you have to KNOW the limitations of what you’re using and deal with them appropriately, e.g. the gator grips work great, but not for the initial break of a nut B) you need to be in a situation where constrained space/weight is an issue.
For several of our employees who work overseas and travel to extremely remote locations and every tool they need has to be on their back, well made jack of all trades/king of none tools are actually pretty damn useful. We even did some custom design work on some tools to make it all work together. As an example, when going remote, we bring a DC soldering iron that can be powered off a military communications battery OR your laptop 110/220V supply, and the laptop supply can also run off the military battery, and so can the dremel, and so can the DeWalt drill. Thus, with one single battery, you can power all your electronics, and it’s a standard battery you’ll find at every base.
Anyway, I digress. Summary argument: There are niche tools that are best in class for their purpose. But keep in mind that sometimes the multi-function tool IS a niche tool which is best in class for the purpose, because that purpose is to get as much function as possible in the least weight/space. Just sayin’.
Yadda
I have to agree with Les G and KenZ. Multitools always appeal to a certain segment of users. I like the concept and the design, but I doubt I would be inclined to throw $79 at it.
The knock on multi tools (and I collect them) is that any one function cannot match a tool designed specifically for that function.
Mr Michael L. Veach
It is a fine work of engineering. BUT, as much as I love gadgets I just don’t see any benefits to it. It looks like something someone would buy, show it to all his buddies, try to find a practical use for it, then it will spend the rest of its life in the bottom of his tool box.
Anthony
whats the c.o.o on this??? i definately cannot justify $79 for a chicom tool…..
Stan
I’ve wondered the same sentiment. Granted, I respect the fact this item was named in honor of this inventor’s son, the fact remains at $79 plus shipping, you’d think some mention of country of origin wold be there.
But likewise I agree that $79 is hard to justify for a PRC multi tool.
I am not trying to be rude here, but for that price, such information isn’t asking that much.
Stuart
What does COO has to do with a product’s price? Because it costs $79, the maker is obligated to emphasize where it’s made?
I purchased an Agilent multimeter for the ToolGuyd test lab/workshop, and it cost a LOT more than $79. Does the manufacturer or its dealers openly specify where it’s made? No. Does this bother me? Not one bit.
This is a unique product that you either buy because you need/want it, or don’t buy because you don’t need/want it. To need or want it and not buy it just because it’s made overseas is just silly. That mentality would imply that you avoid computers, mobile phones, tablets, TVs, and other modern technology, because most are unique foreign-made designs with no comparable USA-made equivalents.
I have a few concerns about this product’s design, and its COO is not anywhere near the top of the list of reasons why I would hesitate to buy one.
When you eat out, do you ask where the produce and meat come from? Do you avoid mangos and other fruits that are mostly imported?
Anyhow, the maker doesn’t specify the weight or weight-equivalent of the hammer, the length of the pry bar, or max torque of the ratchet. That type of information is in my opinion more important than COO.
Allen
“When you eat out, do you ask where the produce and meat come from? Do you avoid mangos and other fruits that are mostly imported?”
Yes, I have on occasion, if it is high end dining. Or at least as high on the end I am able to dine. Most times it is on the menu.
More information is generally better. The chickens are on their way home.
Norm
I kickstarted this way back when. I can’t wait.
Frankly I don’t know how often I’d use it as it looks more for carpentry work, and I work primarily inside with brick and stainless steel.
Still the look and the multifunction sold me.
dave
I didn’t notice anything about why the tool was invented and why its called Colebar. It might be worth adding that to the article.
Might help people understand why it was designed
http://www.colebar.com/about-us/
Matthew Sumner
I think this would be something nice to keep in the truck. It will do lots of things but probably isn’t the best tool for any specific job. But could save you when you are in a bind without a large selection of tools. Price point seems a bit high to me as well.
DanG
Now I’m really disappointed here. I sent an email to the manufacturers of the Cole-Bar and offered them a really good suggestion. They never replied to my email. I would have loved to hear from them whether or not they liked my idea. Here was my email….
Dear Cole- Bar Representative,
I love the new Cole-Bar and I feel it would be very practical for my usage but I strongly believe the Cole-Bar is overpriced and what makes it even more overpriced is the shipping. If you offered free shipping to the customers that are preordering your new Cole-Bar you would more than likely have a higher turnout in preorders. Seventy-nine dollars is bad enough but ninety-four dollars is even worse. I would most definitely buy one with free shipping. If you do the free shipping I will announce it to the Toolguyd and you will inherit many more customers.
Dan Gronert
Not even a peep from them. Great way to start of a new product by ignoring your potential customers.
Stuart
To be fair, they’re a small business swimming in unfamiliar seas.
Personally, I try to reply to each and every email, but my inbox sometimes ends up backed-up. A few days pass, then a week, and then a month, and the unreplied-to emails end up buried and forgotten about.
I know I am disappointed when my emails go ignored, but sometimes this is inevitable. Give them a chance and they might eventually come true. Or you might have to nudge them a bit.
DanG
Thank you for such a considerate email. I appreciate that very much. Dan
Stuart
I’m confused now. You sent them another email, or was that your response from them?
Matthew
I will say that it’s unique. The claw/prybar looks really thin to me in the video.
The one use I would see is extending the claw 180 degrees so I have that long reach prybar so I don’t have to get on a ladder or move a ladder to get that pesky nail out of reach.
Using it as a square on larger lumber could be handy too but we usually have a framing square out anyways.
Matthew
It’s $99 now.
tom
Would this tool be suitable for a scaffolder.
smashing steel on steel all day would it destroy the hammer?
Just curious this hammer looks awesome but I dont want to buy it if it only last for a couple of months
Stuart
It could be, but I would be more inclined to go with a heavy-duty model of known quality, durability, and reputation.
Donna
Tread careful with this people I’ve sent cash to purchase one, only to recieve an email stating they are still waiting for funding and a steel and hammer maker to help things progress it’s a Con !!
Jimbo
The last comment on this page is 12/2014. Their web site looks the same as it did a year ago.
Stick a fork in them ~ Are they Done??
Stuart
They’re still accepting preorders, and on their site it says that they expect to ship in Q2 2015.
Hmm…
ONR
I like unique tools. I’d buy one.