Earlier today, Dewalt announced that they will be expanding their line of hammers with 14 new tools, which will be highlighted by the XP Extended Performance series that offers durability and features including “More Swing, Less Sting” vibration dampening technology, easy-to-grip handles, and side nail pullers.
Featured in their new XP hammers, Dewalt says that their “innovative new grip vibration dampening technology” reduces “sting” by 35%, while improving grip durability by 25%. Footnotes in the press release says that the reduced sting is compared to “1 pc steel general purpose hammers,” and that “based on vibrational analysis, sting is what users feel.” The grip durability improvement is said to be in comparison to current Dewalt hammers.
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A “Tri-Pull” feature built into the hammer heads can be used for removing framing nails, finish nails, and staples.
The new Dewalt XP Extended Performance hammer lineup will consist of 6 tools – 16 oz and 20 oz general purpose hammers, a 22 oz framing hammer, 18 oz wood framing hammer with carbon fiber composite overstrike protection, and 12 oz and 14 oz Mig-Weld hammers – existing products – that will soon be updated with the new XP grip technology.
If you recall, Dewalt launched an XP tape measure last year. These new hammers mark, unless I am mistaken, the first expansion of that “Extended Performance” product family.
There will be 8 additional hammers launching at the same time – claw, framing, and specialty hammers, as well as a hatchet. These hammers are said to feature an optimized balance, durability, and functionality.
Looking at some of the new Dewalt product listings, the “optimized functionality” aspect means the addition of a side nail pulling notch to the general purpose and framing hammers.
Here are all of the hammers that are coming out soon:
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- XP 16 oz. General Purpose Hammer, DWHT51379, $26
- XP 20 oz. General Purpose Hammer, DWHT51380, $30
- XP 22 oz. Framing Hammer, DWHT51381, $32
- XP 18 oz. Wood Framing Hammer, DWHT51383, $26
- XP 12 oz. Mig Weld Hammer, DWHT51135X, $40
- XP 14 oz. Mig Weld Hammer, DWHT51138X, $50
- 12 oz. Steel General Purpose Hammer, DWHT51438, $18
- 16 oz. Steel General Purpose (Rip) Hammer, DWHT51048, $20
- 16 oz. Steel Curve Claw Hammer, DWHT51439, $20
- 20 oz. Steel General Purpose (Rip) Hammer, DWHT51054, $25
- 22 oz. Steel Framing (Milled) Hammer, DWHT51064, $26
- 22 oz. Steel Framing Hammer, DWHT51452, $26
- 28 oz. Steel Framing (Milled) Hammer, DWHT51453, $29
- 20 oz. Steel Camper’s Axe, DWHT51387, $32
- 3 lb. Drilling Hammer, DWHT51388, $27
- 20 oz. Bricklayer Hammer, DWHT51389, $28
- 21 oz. Framing Hammer, DWHT51385, $25
ETA: Fall 2018
First Thoughts
What does “35% less sting” mean? I posed this question to our Dewalt contact, and they promised to follow up with whatever details the product managers are able to share.
Until then, I’m skeptical, but open-minded.
I’m also curious to learn about which hammers the new Dewalt XP hammers are being compared to. They say “versus 1 piece steel general purpose hammers.” Estwing’s USA-made one-piece steel hammers are advertised as having shock reducing grips. Do those count as general purpose hammers? What about their Ultra Series ($35 via Amazon) with reduced shaft design and also with shock-reducing grips?
Reader Question: Lightweight Framing Hammer Recommendations?
What qualifies as a “general purpose steel hammer?” I’m thinking they mean basic steel hammers like their $15 Stanley.
See Also: Best Hammers for DIY and Home Use on a Budget?
Back to “sting,” Dewalt says that “based on vibrational analysis, sting is what users feel.”
“Sting” is not a scientific term, at least not one I’m familiar with, and so I did some background reading. A quick search turns up a few technical papers (mainly on sports science), which describe sting as a subjective measure. It’s “qualitative” if anything. I cannot find any standard or quantitative means that could define or characterize it.
In other words, I don’t know how to interpret “35% less sting” for you, at least not until Dewalt gets back to me.
Reducing vibrations, or sometimes even changing their nature, can reduce the “sting.” But it’s unclear as to what Dewalt did to improve their hammers. Did they improve vibration damping by 35%? That doesn’t seem likely. Did they reduce vibration damping and vibrational characteristics? Probably. But to what extent?
Stanley Black & Decker developed a new handle material for their FatMax Anti-Vibe hammers, and likely refined in the years since. Thus, the new “grip vibration dampening technology” could simply mean that they adapted Stanley’s FatMax handle material to the new Dewalt hammers.
I’ve had good experiences with Stanley FatMax and Dewalt hammers, except for my wood-handled Dewalt hammer whose handle grip decomposed into a sticky gooey mess after I forgot it in a drawer for a few years. (To be honest, I wrapped it in a plastic bag and tossed it into a different box, where it still sits today.)
I like Dewalt’s mig-welded hammers, and it’ll be interesting to see if the new handle style makes them even better.
And, as a reminder, Dewalt recently came out with new carbon fiber composite sledge hammers. It seems that they’re revamping a whole lot of hammer and striking tool SKUs this year.
Pricing for each model is listed above. The XP hammers will start at $26, and the general purpose hammers start at $18 (for the 12 oz).
James C
Maybe they had a trial and 35% fewer users reported feeling “sting” with their hammers compared to the control hammers.
Andrew
Or that users were stung 35% less by insects when using this hammer? (Smile)
Raoul
Nothing quite like disturbing a wasp nest while you’re up banging on a 2nd story 14/12 roof.
Bill
🙂 🙂 🙂
Bill
🙂
Corey
I’m guessing these new hammers mean that I can’t use them and listen to Gordon Sumner at the same time.
Hilton
You can but you’ll have to skip every third song. Be careful, the Police are watching.
Josh
They’re watching your every move, even your every breath.
Farid
ROTFLOL
Jeremy Neill
It needs an SOS feature you can send out.
ChrisP
Perhaps Dewalt Connect to sent a message to your hammer, the bottom of the handle would flip up and eject a tiny message in a bottle? Might pay to be working on a site near water.
MichaelHammer
Love DeWalt hammers. They’re comfortable and take a lot of abuse. Interested in their new offering.
Koko the Talking Ape
I don’t know why they don’t add a deadblow-style capsule of sand or steel shot to these hammers. They wouldn’t have to be large. That would reduce vibration without requiring soft materials for the handle, which might wear out or become a sticky mess.
I guess some applications can’t use deadblow mallets, like stone-carving, maybe. Otherwise, a bit of deadblow-ness would be good, I think. Why not?
Toolfreak
Making these into deadblow types with shot or sand wouldn’t do much to dampen the “sting”, and I suspect it would change how you’d use the hammer.
All my deadblows still “sting” when I hit something with them really, really hard – even less hard than when you swing a framing hammer hard enough to sink a nail in one blow. The shot/sand just keeps the hammer from bouncing up off the surface, but doesn’t do much to lessen the “sting” transmitted through the handle from the initital impact of the head with what it’s hitting.
Not a bad idea though, and I’d be curious if any companies did testing with sand/shot capsules behind the head in traditional styles to see if there was any benefit.
Koko the Talking Ape
Hm. Well, now that I think about it more, “sting” would be about vibration in the handle, and deadblowness is about reducing bounceback.
But I suppose you could place a sand capsule specifically to reduce handle vibration, maybe at a vibration antinode.
Framer joe
You need a solid hammer head not a dead blow style
MikeIt
I think this is perfect oppotunity for you to invent one. Make a proof of concept to see if its any better. Maybe you can drill out a hammer and add the deadblow weight or maybe just weld a tube on top of the hammer for the weight and try it out. If it works, flesh out the design, find a shop to crank them out for you, maybe put it on kickstarter. Don’t forget to make the handle out of reclaimed wood for the “artisanal” cred and wait for the millions to roll in! I’m kidding about the artisanal part but I’m serious about the inventing. I bet if you’ve looked at your framing hammer before and said “I wish it was a deadblow framing hammer” then someone else has too. Have you ever looked at all the crap they sell on tv? I am 100% certain your idea isn’t worse than what they sell on tv. If you make it, it will sell.
Toolfreak
Nice to see there’s a camp axe in the lineup, but I also would like to see a 4lb sledge/drilling hammer or other BFH with the steel handle style rather than just the exocore carbon fiber stuff.
I have one of the earlier Stanley Antivibe 16oz claw hammers, and it’s still pretty dang nice despite abuse from others that have got their hands on it, but sadly, like so many other things, the design was cheapened and while the newer ones might have better antivibe tech in the handle, the earlier models were finished a lot better and looked more like something a pro would use and less like something churned out of a factory in China.
As modern/futuristic as these newer stamped style hammers are, and as much as hammers are literally made to beat on things with, it sucks to see such a mass-produced stamping style take over from a more traditional, smoother style, not just for the cosmetics but the balance – a hammer with minor asymmetry can be off balance enough that the user gets physical discomfort from having to compensate for it. I can see why Estwing’s tried and true designs have stood the test of time.
George
Can’t imagine how I got through life with a wood handled hammer.
Raoul
I said the opposite when I switched to a Stiletto Ti framer with california stick about 10 yrs ago. It extended my career.
Corey
California are the bees knees lol I was blown away the first time I picked up my first estwing California framer, after several steel handles.
Benjamin Staymates
I think 35% less sting means it kills 35% more stinging insects.
Farid
I remember setting up an experiments for undergrad class in college for testing vibration in a tennis racquet. The lab was about using accelerometer to to test for vibration. When, the racquet hits the ball it sends a vibration wave down the handle. Hitting the ball in the sweet spot produces a node at your hand position (minimum vibration). Hitting the ball off-center produced a wave peak, which you can feel all the way up your arm.
Hammers are no different and you can tune the hammer and reduce resonance frequency to avoid vibration peaks at you hand position, either by changing the length, flexibility and/or profile of the handle. Wood naturally dampens a lot of the vibration, but it is harder to get consistent results and they are more “Fragile”
Anything to help reduce stress on joints and nerves is welcome, especially if you use it for “Seven Days” a week. Let’s hope Dewalt is using science and not hot “breath” air to “synchronize” vibration in the handle. A lanyard attachment point would be nice – “can’t risk loosing” it while ” walking on the moon”.
(Sorry, couldn’t resist Sting references either. Blame it on Corey !!)
Redcastle
Are DeWalt hammers supposed to replace or represent an upgrade from Stanley hammers?
JoeM
Honestly, I think you should get that thought out of your head ASAP. I don’t mean that as an insult. I just think you’ll find that SBD doesn’t mind having the same model in Stanley, Stanley FatMAX, and DeWALT forms, without any rhyme or reason to why they’re in any of the lines to start with. They’re quite happy having the same model, with different branding, on all their lines of hand tools.
I have yet to see one of their hand tools go to Stanley, DeWALT, or any of their other brands, only to be released by a different name later. They can, and do, release the identical tool simply for the sake of having one in that brand’s lineup. Typically, if you pick up the model in Stanley, and use it next to a DeWALT of the exact same model line, you’ll see no difference in quality. Maybe price, but not quality.
And, from personal opinion only, I’m not sure I object to this tactic. If you’re VERY into DeWALT, and feel self conscious about buying the hand tools from Stanley or Stanley FatMAX, then knowing you can get yourself a DeWALT without a loss in quality is probably a good thing. If you’re that self-conscious about the brand you use, that is.
mattd
Yea soon you will see craftsman hammers and hand tools that are the same as well. One thing I noticed today on lowes webpage is that you can get the good ole stanley demo wrench (https://toolguyd.com/stanley-adjustable-demo-wrench/) with craftsman stamped on it (https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-10-in-Steel-Adjustable-Wrench/1000595359)
JoeM
Case in point, yeah. Thanks mattd.
SBD does make some Brand-Specific hand tools, but they tend to fill out the rest with the same models as the Stanley line. Now that they’re the foolhardy owners of the Craftsman brand, we’ll see the entire Stanley lineup all over again, stamped Craftsman. I suspect anything marked “Pro” or “XP” or anything that might be an upgraded level of Craftsman tools to come from the Stanley FatMAX and DeWALT lines.
Matt Jones
Agreed. I expect the long-term plan for SBD may be to phase out the base Stanley line at Lowes and simply make a good/better/best lineup of Craftsman/Stanley Fatmax/DeWalt.
Framer joe
Estwing makes great hammers, the dewalt line especially might are excellent…stelletto non wood handle are nice but do need adjusting monthly…. Milwaukee hammers suck…
JoeM
Aren’t Estwing THE name in Hammers though? Like… isn’t there some arcane ritual out there that a Father discovers his child wants to build things like he does, and they go out one day and buy the child an Estwing hammer to hold onto until they can build something together with it?
Whenever Hammers are talked about, Estwing finds its way into the conversation. To be blunt, I’ve never owned one. I’d trust them in a heartbeat, but never owned one. I have absolutely no reason why, I simply bought my Stanley Antivibe 16 Oz hammer, and have never felt a need for an upgrade or additional hammer.
Am I way off here? Have Estwing deteriorated at all? Don’t we all know Estwing already at this point? Is there still a Cult of Estwing out there, waiting to indoctrinate us all into buying their Hammers?
Yes, I’m trying to be funny about this. But I do respect Estwing deeply. I would genuinely love to see an article about the current state of their Hammers and other products. I doubt I’ll switch out my Stanley, but it’s still on my mind now that Framer Joe has brought it up.
Corey
I view estwing in the same vein as Craftsman but minus the complete downturn and offshore departure. They’re great quality, good value, and American. 3 great points, no negatives. Sure there’s stiletto and hundred dollar plus better options, but the fact is you absolutely cannot go wrong with practically any estwing you pick up, presuming it’s the right form for the application. 90% of tradesman, including myself, have a worn in 22oz steel framer in the gang box, and my absolute favorite hammer is my 25oz hickory California framer I’ve all but finished beating there face clean on. They’re just good lol
PETE
I’m excited for the tough system drawer unit. Even though i’m not invested in the toughsystem it should drive some other manf. to make something to compete with it.
ToolOfTheTrade
It seems that dewalt is getting a little carried away with the gimmick hammer hype. I wasn’t aware that there was something called hammer sting. I’ve never felt a stinging sensation when swinging a hammer. I’m not sure how hammer vibration relates to getting hit by a hornet. It’s pretty bad that Dewpialt is making stuff up t? It’s almost as bad as when they compared their first generation hammers to titanium hammers. The 20oz framing hammer is awesome aside from the nail puller. I made my own side nail puller by removing one from a hart hammer and welding it to the cheek on my dewalt.
JoeM
Hammer Sting isn’t actually made up. I have heard it before. It’s just another term for shock vibration up the handle. The hornet’s nest, Gordon Sumner, and other talk are just folks having some fun with it.
I genuinely don’t see any gimmicks in this line of hammers, aside from their model names including DeWALT’s model line stuff, such as XP.
Nail Pullers are Nail Pullers. Weight, Claw length, composition… These aren’t gimmicks. After all, using a ballpine hammer on a demolition site is not exactly using the right… uh… Tool of the Trade… No offense. Different jobs require different features. Just because you can’t use any of those, doesn’t mean no one can.
I’m still happy with my Stanley AntiVibe hammer, but it doesn’t mean I’m against what DeWALT is doing with hammers these days. At some point, everybody has to keep trying until they find their own version of what my AntiVibe is for me. Finding the RIGHT Hammer is what is required, not handing everyone the same one.
Stuart
Sting is a real term, used to describe the shock felt in one’s hands and arms from an object, such as a baseball bat after hitting a ball. It seems perfectly acceptable and correct for “sting” to be used to describe what is felt after striking a nail with a handheld hammer.
Altan
Bricklayer hammer, axe and 3lb drilling (club) hammer are nice, they should make 2lb drilling hammer, 28 oz steel framing hammer with a bit longer handle, 2″ more longer, 6lb drilling hammer with long handle,
ToolOfTheTrade
You ain’t got to lie to kick it to make yourself feel better about being wrong. And I doubt that Dewalts intentions in using the term sting wasn’t meant to be in a fun or joking context. Wtf are you talking about hornets nest or Gordon Sumner? What does a hornets nest have to do with hammers? And who the hell is Gordon Sumner and what does this person have to do with hammers? And you obviously don’t own a hammer with a side nail puller because it has nothing to do with the claw. Don’t talk out your ass before you realize that it stinks.
JoeM
…Uh… Did… you read the first two threads of this post? The first one joked about a Bee’s Nest on a Roof, and that the hammer repels insect stings. The second joked about using the hammer while listening to Gordon Sumner… The birth name of the musician that calls himself Sting. Readers HERE were joking, nothing more. We were all having this thing called FUN with regards to DeWALT’s use of the term Sting.
Sheesh… You just don’t like us around here, do ya TOTT?
Yes. Hammer Sting is real. It doesn’t indicate pain, it indicates vibration or reaction that reaches your hand. Just like a bee sting, it happens very rapidly when you strike, so the industry slang got a definition from that. It’s also just called plain old Vibration, or Reflex, and I’ve even heard it described as “Tinging” though that was someone with a very heavy Maritime accent, so I could have misheard it.
If they invent a hammer that completely dampens all reaction from the head, down the shaft, so that the hand feels nothing but the handle, then that would be a “No Sting Hammer” in a literal sense.
Oleg k
I didn’t knlw there was a hammer shortage, even then… Fourteen new hammers? Is there a profession out there that I’m not aware of that requires 14 different hammers? And not just 14 different ones, 14 ADDITIONAL hammers, additional to all those that are already out there being sold to public. Seriously, 14 new hammers? Why?.. Why not invest into cheaper brushless tools or denser battery packs for the same price as the regular ones, why research and develop FOURTEEN NEW HAMMERS?
JoeM
The majority are new versions of previous models, meant for a VARIETY of industries, not a single individual or trade. Since SBD owns both Stanley AND DeWALT they have the resources to do both. While the Stanley group develop hammers, SBD can decide to use some of those designs as DeWALT industrial hammers. At the same time, the DeWALT group can be focused on Power Tools and their associated technologies.
It’s up to SBD, the parent company, when everything gets released. Just because they’ve released new Hammers, doesn’t mean they’re NOT looking into Batteries for DeWALT tech. In fact, SBD has been so busy with so many different brands, that what DeWALT has been developing has probably already been released in SBD’s other brands by now. I would imagine you’d recognize very many of the NEW SBD-Craftsman tools as being either Identical to a previous DeWALT tool, or using practically every DeWALT-original feature except the name DeWALT.
You also have to realize that DeWALT is SBD’s trophy brand. Once they bought them, they started making all other brands they owned carry features from DeWALT, and increase their total company reputation. If EVERYTHING they do is as good as DeWALT, at least in image, then that’s a marketing win for SBD. As such, a lot of what SHOULD be a Stanley or Stanley FatMAX tool, is being pushed ahead as a DeWALT tool, to test how far up the industry ladder these designs belong. You and I would call this stupid, or cowardly, but SBD calls it “Tuesday” these days. So, don’t think of these as 14 new hammers. Just think of them as the 2018 model line from SBD. There are hundreds of trades out there, with hundreds more uses for specific designs of tools. If one particular year doesn’t contain the exact design that is ideal for the job, maybe a tweak to one of the current designs will make it next year. They’re throwing a bunch of designs at the wall every year, to see who buys what, and what doesn’t sell at all. They’re trying to reach into new industries they weren’t in before, so they can get a bigger share of the market for them.
That’s just business these days. Stupid? Yes. Effective? Well, yeah. We can’t deny it works for them.