We were out today, and found ourselves at a new mall. My wife split to make a phone call, so I took my son to Sears. Father’s Day is coming up soon, and I wanted to see if they had anything interesting.
I could use some more brad nails – for that continued Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless nailer testing I promised – and I figured that I’d buy some if I came across them.
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We were strolling around, and I had turned down 1 offer for a free vacation drawing (probably a survey request), and 2 offers of help to find what I needed. (I do like this Sears already. The sales associates actually seemed eager to help.)
And then I saw it.
A Craftsman Flex Claw hammer. The most… unique hammer I’ve seen in some time.
Craftsman is actually very competitive when it comes to hammers. They have some nice ball pein hammers, claw hammers, framing hammers, mallets, and other varieties of handheld striking tools. So every now and then I scout out to see if anything is new.
Tip: You can sometimes get a Craftsman hammer for less than the Vaughan equivalent, USA-made of course, although not all Craftsman hammers are made by Vaughan or manufactured in the USA.
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Okay, so this is what it looks like on the shelf. Weird, right? I suppose it would be more polite to call it unique, but it was the what is that?! reaction that really did stop me in my tracks.
The hammer has this odd hammer shape, but then I saw the pivot, which says push down & turn angle. And then I saw the name – Craftsman Flex Claw hammer.
OH, okay! It’s like a claw hammer meets indexable pry bar.
It’s an 18 oz hammer.
Even if the claw angle was not adjustable, the claw looks to have an unusual and potentially high level position in the hammer’s “standard” configuration.
Here’s what it looks like with the claw down.
And here it is, claw up.
And here, the claw is forward.
Along with the “standard” claw position, for lack of a better way to describe it, there are 4 claw angles. For adjustments, you press the pivot in, move the claw, and it locks into place.
Apparently there’s also a nail starter. How did I miss that?
I forgot to check for COO, but I did check for obvious “Made in USA” labeling, which I did not see.
I left the hammer on the peg at the store. Why? Because despite my interest and curiosity at how well the hammer works, the pivot was incredibly difficult to operate in 1 or 2 of the positions. A sales associate insisted he could show me how it’s done, and that the claw just required a little wiggling (I already tried this), but he couldn’t adjust the claw angle any easier than I could.
Maybe the pivot button is defective on this hammer, a single flaw that stands out from among thousands of perfectly functional hammers.
This was the only one the store had on the shelf, and so I couldn’t go through a peg-full of hammers looking for the smoothest-adjusting one.
I asked whether the sales associate thought if it was a defect, and he said. “That’s just how they make ’em.” After a short pause, “in China.”
COO aside, and my disappointment at the sticky pivot, I think that the design is quite interesting, and potentially beneficial.
I have run into nail-pulling situations where I just couldn’t get a good enough angle for strong leverage, leading to more time and elbow grease being consumed by a task.
What do you think? Innovative hammer design, or holiday gimmick?
They only had 1 hammer on the shelf (the sales associate says they received 2 last week), leading me to believe that more “how can we make something better?” went into the tool’s development, rather than “what can we sell a lot of during the holiday season?”
I’m optimistic that this might prove to be a problem solver. I just hope that my in-store experience with the stubborn pivot mechanism is an anomaly.
Price: $20
Buy Now(via Sears)
OnTheWeb
No doubt would come in handy in certain situations where you are up against a wall or in tight place and can’t get the right angle to orient the claw.
Everett
I saw this in the store and thought- this is stupid. Stupid, stupid stupid. The mechanism is going to get all bent up during normal use.
Then I bought it.
And I’m happy I did. The product is not refined. The claw has too much play for serious work. But it is really useful if you are working away from your tools, (like in the attic) and you only want to bring a single hammer.
I got the 24oz version, and would recommend it over the smaller 18oz.
Mike
More interesting than the hammer is the store. You have a NEW Sears? And it sells hardware? And I see replacement soft hammer faces in the store hanging up there?
The first thing I notice about the hammer itself is the lack of a solid fulcrum base in all of the positions. That’s fine for starting to pull a nail, but having to adjust the claw one or two times removing each nail is going to get tedious quickly.
I do like the position of the nail starter. Less chance of the nail flinging away into oblivion if you don’t get it set just right before swinging.
Stuart
Sorry, new to me.
T
Interesting. My grandpappy had a similarish rusty old hammer hanging in his barn for eons, I remember playing with it as a kid, the head was floppy iirc. I have no idea what it was for, he was a railroad man/farmer, and his tools were long gone by the time I took an interest in implements of destruction. Everything old is new again.
mike aka Fazzman
More gimmicky Chinese made Craftsman junk,just what the tool world needs.
Jerry
Well, for $20 I could live with a slightly sticky, but workable adjustment mechanism. On the other hand, I’d also be willing to pay $30 or maybe $35 for one made in the USA with a strong and smooth adjustment. I do a lot of maintenance and remodel work and often find myself in a situation where my adjustable angle nail puller saves me a lot of grief. The same thing on a hammer could save me having to go get it as often. My first thoughts when I saw it were that if the joint was strong and worked smoothly, it would be a useful feature. If it was rough, sloppy, or weak, I’d lean towards gimmick. From your experience, my guess is either you got a bad one, or they had a good idea with poor execution in order to keep the price down. Seriously, I think people will pay a little more for quality, especially when it affects a tools usability. Hopefully the one you got was a lemon, and for the most part they work smoothly. JD hate to see another potential good idea ruined by bad execution.
Jason
As rough as the finish is around the Craftsman name on that one, I would probably think from 3 to 4ft away “made in china” The example in the image from the website looks substantially smoother. Still rough pivot and adjustment, I’d leave it on the shelf too! Sears just hasn’t learned from their mistake. I will not buy Craftsman that is not made in the USA. And even then it better have the fit and finish that was what made Craftsman a great brand! That being said, I haven’t bought a new Craftsman tool in several years and can’t see myself buying any more in the future.
Rick
Judging by the pictures you posted, it looks like a very poorly made, cheap junk with a bad paint job.
John
You’d already mentioned indexing pry bars. If you want a good one, Crescent has a good line of Code Red’s in this range that work exactly this way. I picked up a Crescent DB18X Code Red pry bar which works very similar to this (obviously not with the hammer section) and I’ve been surprise at how much that thing has come in handy. Not just for the obvious demo uses, but its sure helped (due to the pry area being sharp and thin as well as the index ability) being able to lift really heavy things like corner of furniture or a fridge to adjust feet for example. I keep it in the truck and am constantly thankful I have it at really random needs and I’ve and no problems with the indexing mechanism binding or not working like butter.
fred
I was doing a bit of searching via Google and Amazon for different hammers that I posted on Tool Talk – but did not spy this one. It is unique – I guess a derivative of the indexing pry bars.
I did spy a new bartender’s hammer from Vaughan – also a bit odd:
http://www.vaughanmfg.com/shopping/Products/Bar-Tender__57016.aspx
and posted about a lot of other hammers – some that I had not heard of before
Michael
Looks like the pry bar and a regular hammer would serve better.
Allen
One would think that hammer innovations would be about exhausted.
Nice to see someone trying. Too bad about the COO.
Dobes
No chance I will buy one. This is another craftsman gimmick tool. I predict that it won’t be long after using the hammer to pound nails that the claw will malfunction and start moving back and forth freely and get very annoying.
Add that it’s made in China and I double down on my first statement.
I just want a good quality hammer that does what hammers have done forever. Don’t need gimmicks.
Cr8ondt
Neeto. Not gunna rush out and get one but kinda reminds me of the Crescent adjustable pry bars.
http://www.amazon.com/Crescent-DB18X-18-Inch-Indexing-Black/dp/B008NM6VSC/
fred
Sears has sold indexing pry bars – more of the auto-mechanic roll-head variety for many years. I think their models are : 43295, 43296 and 43297. I think that the original ones were sourced from Danaher’s Easco Hand Tools
Gearwrench sells them too – which would make sense considering the old Danaher – K-D – Easco connection
Tom
Neat idea, but my god, does the finish look awful.
Norm
Well I’ll try it. I just happened to have $10 off. So found a filler, will pick up later.
Whit
If you shop at Sears you might be interested in this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Sears-Gift-Card-For-Only-85-FREE-Mail-Delivery/291760699803?hash=item43ee4af99b&_trkparms=5374%3AFeatured%7C5373%3A0
Blythe M
This is really crazy, a few years ago when they came out with the indexing pry bars I thought it would be awesome to weld one to the back of a hammer with a nail slot cut in it. I even drew up an autocad 3D model. Too bad it seems they didn’t quite get it right the first try
pencil neck
….. need to generate more traffic on the website… Hammer Time! 😛
This looks to be a case of “cool idea, poorly executed”. I think a good USA version would sell if in the low $30 range. But from the photos above, I guessed it was a China made product… the shaft with “Craftsman” on it looks like… well, like it was done in China for cheap.
Yadda
Neat! I like it. I will definitely check it out next time I go by my local Sears hrpardware store.
Grady
So there is a problem with the problem solver?
Bart
Another Craftsman gimmick that will be on clearance in 12 months.
If they’d put half the amount of time and effort into their standard line of tools that they have into all of the gimmick junk they’ve put out over the past 30 years, maybe Sears wouldn’t be the ghost town it is now. I think the only other place that depresses me more these days is Radio Shack.
Matty D
A few thoughts…Is a shot of WD 40 or lube going to fix that sticky button? The hammer looks cool…the grey paint makes it look sort of shoddy however maybe it’s just the photo or light…not that it matters…Made in China??? Not a problem especially if you play the Sears Shop my Way points game and get it close to free…
Frumious
Thanks for calling this new tool to my attention. The day after I read it, Sears had a sale on them and offered extra points bringing the price to $12. What the heck, I’ll try it.
Like Sears says, the flex claw hammer is two tools in one: hammer and pry bar. It is not quite the same as having two separate tools (I will explain in a bit) but it is a helpful combination. It also works like a small crowbar, so think of the flex claw hammer as three tools.
And not to be overlooked: the magnetic nail holder/starter. This is the first hammer I have owned with this feature. It is useful for framing and other rough work. It extends your reach. No need for your second hand to hold the nail. This is particularly helpful for working from a ladder and other over-your-head work. With a bit of practice I could get the nail where I wanted it – or close enough.
Regarding being 18oz vs. 16oz: I did not notice the extra weight. The handle is almost an inch longer than my 16oz hammer’s. It is about an inch shorter than my 22oz framing hammer. Balance is fine. The rubber grip is fine. Very little impact shock gets from the hammer face, down the one-piece steel handle to the grip. That’s nice. The face of the hammer is a bit wider than that of my 16oz hammer – approaching the size face of a framing hammer. I find this helpful too.
Changing the claw’s position is simple: (Mine works like it is supposed to.) Push and hold in the button on the side of the head, move the claw to the position you want, then let go of the button. There are four positions: The lowest position makes the head compact from front to back. This is good for swinging in some tight quarters. Next is the standard position with the claw straight back. Then come two raised positions that allow the hammer to act like a small crowbar or as a wedge. I found these positions more useful than I expected. There is no sloppiness with the claw. It does not move, vibrate or rattle when you are nailing. It feels like a single piece hammerhead.
So, here is my take on this flex claw hammer:
I don’t think it will replace a flat pry bar (or crowbar) because the separate tools have an advantage over the combined tool: You can use your hammer to tap a pry bar into a thin crack to separate two items such as baseboard or door moldings from a wall. This is harder to do well with this single tool. Yet this hammer is certainly more versatile than a standard claw hammer. Nails can be pulled more easily and it’s also a good lever or wedge – like a small crowbar – when the claw is in its upper positions.
So do I recommend this tool? I do. Why? I found myself reaching for my pry bar and crowbar less often. And the magnetic nail starter is a definite plus – especially for work up on a ladder. This hammer speeds up work just a bit. Not lots, but definitely some.
Importantly, I don’t find any downside to this tool. Some tools that combine functions are unsatisfactory compromises. Not this one. The flex claw and magnetic nail starter are pluses to the old design. So, the next time you are in the market for a hammer, wrap your hand around one of these and see how it feels.
Tough Love
I bought several of these hammers. Adjusting the claw to any of the 4 positions is easy and smooth on all of the ones I bought (no problems). The one you looked at in the store must have had a defect in the pivot.
Quite unique …… similar to the adjustable angle crowbars Sears has been selling for a year or so now.
DC
It was just a defective one. I just bought 2 of them. Had to drive for an hour to get it. They both work like a charm.
Kamran Kamil Kureshi
I’ve had unpleasant experience trying to convince myself that the Craftsman Mach 8″Adjustable wrench which I bought here in Pakistan(With difficulty–nearly 100% duty and a long wait!) would, give me some satisfaction of its usefulness in the most imaginative application one could think of. As much as I enjoy working with my hands, I sadly realized that I had made a mistake!. With this experience, would anyone expect me to go for the flex claw hammer?. I guess the answer could well be a reluctant ‘Yes’. For one. you’d still expect me to continue to have some faith in a great brand such as Craftsman….
matt
The Mach 8″inch adjustable wrench has got to be one of the worst tools in the Craftsman line. Period. I have one and all it is good for is a paper weight.
That being said, just about all of the Craftsman Extreme Grip tools are excellent, with excellent product reviews by customers. The Claw Hammer also has good reviews.
I have a Craftsman claw hammer. It is 18 oz and I am used to a 16 oz hammer for everyday household tasks. Moreover it has a curved head; for small tasks like picture nails, I prefer a flat head when driving smaller nails, so it is probably not the best application for this hammer. I will use it for other tasks/applications like demolition, larger nails etc.
If you read comments from USA customers, they have been dissatisfied with the Craftsman brand lately. I think the brand is OK and would recommend reading user reviews and writing on websites/blogs like this one prior to purchasing.
Steve G
I saw the hammer on Sears.com and then saw this forum several weeks ago when I was just about to start my front porch rebuild project, so I decided to order one.
It was awesome during the demo and framing stages. Many times the available access angle wouldn’t have allowed for a standard, fixed-claw hammer or big pry bar. The mechanism is a little clunky, maybe, but it’s solid and this is a solid hammer. I was pleasantly surprised by how handy the extreme angles it could provide were.
I bought the bigger one; 24 oz. Was a maybe bit too heavy for repetitive hammering in tight spaces, but the heft of the hammer drove the nails well. I’m going to buy the 18 oz one for tighter spaces, just in case some future project requires it. I’m no professional builder, so can’t speak to it’s durability for commercial use, but for $20 it’s a steal and will last me many years.
Ruth
I am a 5’4″ 42 year old woman and I saw this hammer. Grabbed it in my hand. Used it and fell in love!!! No joke it is an amazing hammer. Fits my small hands not too heavy. Has all the right equals to make it a hammer that everyone should have in the tool box… The button is no issue. Worth every penny. For $20. Really i was surprised in the affordability of this 1 of a kind tool. I would recommend it to anyone as a matter of fact I have to all.my friends and anyone else listening… Go and get 1 and really love your hammer when you need it most. Great tool. Great find. Great product. Great great great! Hands down!
Joseph C.
I saw this at Tractor Supply while waiting out a rain storm, so had time to slow down and look. Did a double take on this funky design.
The pivoting hinge worked fine on the one I looked at. I paused on buying it that day, but immediately saw its potential usefulness. It also makes me think about taking some weight out of my everyday carry toolbox. This thing is a curved claw, a rip claw, and a pry bar all in one, so I might leave two other hammers in the truck which trades about 38oz for 18oz.. (Every bit helps when you have to lug that box to multiple job sites.)
There are four positions, so I’ll call the fourth position “no-claw”, which I saw as immediately useful for working in tight spaces.
I’ll be going back to get this, or ordering it soon. Hence finding this review to shore up on what others things about it. I am a big guy, so the 18oz seems right for me for general purpose work.