We recently wrote about the new Dewalt ExoCore carbon fiber sledge hammers and axes. We had some questions that Dewalt was kind enough to answer.
Q1: Do all 4lb sledge hammers have 12″ handles?
A1: Yes.
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There are 3 styles of 4 lb sledge hammers, and I wasn’t sure if they all had the same handle length. They do.
Q2: Is there an image showing the different heads of the 3 types of 4lb hammers?
A2: Images are attached.
In the composite image shown above, the sledge hammers are in the following order, from top to bottom:
- 4 lb Drilling Hammer DWHT56024
- 4 lbs, DWHT45026
- 4lb Blacksmith-Style, DWHT56025
Q3: What about the 10 lb sledge? It wasn’t explicitly mentioned in the press release.
A3: That SKU is DWHT56029, here is additional info on it.
Q4: Where are they made?
A4: Vietnam.
Q5: Are there any vibration-damping benefits?
A5:
Fiberglass does tend to be a natural vibration dampening material, but the main user needs we were trying to make sure we addressed with this launch were power, durability, comfort, and control. We are addressing those concerns with the concentrated strike face which features two times more strike power for a clean and effective break, the carbon fiber composite overstrike, and the light weight and balance of the hollow handles.
While being strong, lightweight, and rigid, carbon fiber is also very good when it comes to damping vibrations, which is why I was curious as to whether such properties would be exploited in these new Dewalt ExoCore hammers.
Q6: Can the carbon fiber splinter off if hit enough during over-strike incidents?
A6: The carbon fiber overstrike area is a composite reinforced by nylon and therefor protects the tool from splintering.
Tim
Is there any actual proposed benefit or is it just CFCool?
Tim
Nevermind.
I found the original article who’s link I must’ve glossed over.
2nd question.
What is the likelihood of these blowing apart in sub freezing temperatures like other CF products?
Tim
Sorry again.
I guess cold doesn’t effect CF as much as it did other composites.
JMG
Historical name for the first hammer would be “single jack” or engineering hammer. Second one looks a bit like a modified ball pein, and the third is definitely a cross pein. Blacksmith’s style covers a large range of hammers, and all three of these could be included in the category.
Single jacks were generally used in rock drilling by single operators, while long handle engineering hammers, or “double jacks” would be used by three man crews, with one handling the drill chisel, and two others using hammers to drive it. The park service is still known to use them for trail maintenance on occasion, in the outbound areas.
fred
Sometimes #1 is also called a “mash” or “mashing” hammer – but some older mash hammers had square edges all around. Foresters might call the same hammer a “crack hammer” – but others would say “drilling hammer” as in using it with a star drill or bull point – and still others call it a club hammer.
To add to the knowledge base (or confusion) about hammers, I started a Thread some time back on the Community Forum:
https://discuss.toolguyd.com/t/do-you-have-a-favorite-hammer-s/320/29
JMG
After digging around for information as to where the single jack name came from, I found a couple of sources, that combined, gave a picture of it being more of a nick name from the process of single jacking, or rock drilling, where the jack is actually a chisel type, and the hammer was known as a striking hammer. This could also determine where the jackhammer got it’s name, due to the type of chisel employed, but I could find no solid references to that. The double jack was also a two man team, instead of three, but I had noticed a reference with a caption showing a three man team at one point a few months back.
pete
Fine…. i’ll buy one. lol
JoeM
Nice to know. Don’t THINK I need one, but nice to know they’ve put some thought into the ergonomics of these things. Maybe some day I’ll need the axe for some reason? Maybe the Blacksmith style one?
Right now my Stanley FatMAX Anti-Vibe 16OZ hammer is the only one I need. Maybe one day that will change, I don’t know. Maybe they’ll add a Dead-Blow hammer to this line? Maybe a Leather Working/stamping/hole punch Mallet? I admit the Metal/Carbon Fiber ergonomics are certainly appealing.
Jim Premo
Made in Vietnam? No thank you.
fred
If you want to buy first class masonry hammers made in that other “country” starting with a V (aka Vermont) try ones from Trow & Holden:
https://www.amazon.com/Trow-Holden-lb-Hand-Hammer/dp/B000CSZI0W/
Joe
That could have been a made in the USA product, Dewalt has to do a better job on that….they do look cool..
Hang Fire
So deWalt calls them half-right but adds “sledge” incorrectly to the 3 short hammers:
https://www.dewalt.com/en-us/products/hand-tools/hammers-and-pry-bars/hammers
… and no one to call them on such English language shenanigans. Next thing you know they’ll be running a clearance sale with “needs gone” and for the refurbs “needs fixed.”