Powerstrike Hammer Review – A Light and Bright Heavy Hitter

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powerstrike hammer

Ever had a hankering for a Neon Pink hammer? Me neither. Now make that fuchsia, on the other hand…nah, I’m not even sure what that color IS. But I’m guessing there are some women out there in the building trades, or even some DIY gals (or really secure guys), who might get a kick out of having a high-grade hammer in pink. If not, the Powerstrike Hammer comes in seven other attention-grabbing colors, including manly Gunmetal and farm-boss John Deere Green. And the color is just the first indication that this ain’t your granddaddy’s hammer. 

powerstrike hammer
It doesn’t HAVE to be pink…

Powerstrike Precision Technology, a new manufacturer located in Vista, California, recently sent us samples of their new Powerstrike Hammers to evaluate. We’ll also being doing a giveaway of a brand new Powerstrike hammer in May this year. I’ve been playing around with the neon yellow version; I’m not sure what became of the neon pink one, but if someone stole it, I don’t think they’ll get far before being spotted.

Some specs and features from Powerstrike:

  • The elastic-collision design of the Spring-faced Head hits harder with less effort & fatigue, virtually eliminating all shock & vibration.
  • The precision-machined face transmits energy to the nail more smoothly using Dynamic Rebound Technology.
  • The ultra strong, super stiff, lightweight, aluminum monocoque handle is the strongest handle available today.
  • The17-4 corrosion-resistant stainless steel head is 60% stronger than Titanium.
  • Variable swing-weight head allows the overall swing weight to be fine-tuned from 26-32 oz.
  • Fully interchangeable design allows the customer
    the ability to change-out components or tune the hammer to their specific needs.
  • The hand-fabricated head incorporates a replaceable, super strong Niobium (no, that’s not Superman’s pain reliever) magnetic nail spotting feature, with double-sided nail pullers.

 Neon Yellow Vs. Old-School Black

A couple of things, besides the color, grab you when you first see the hammer. First off, for its size, it is very light; the Powerstrike hammer I got weighed just over 27 oz. with the spring head attached.

powerstrike hammer
27.4 ounces of Neon Yellow smacking power

Next is its length—the Powerstrike hammer is a full 4” longer than the Craftsman 24-oz. hammer I compared it to, which weighed in at just under 32 oz. The longer handle likely enables the hammer to accomplish its task in part because of its extra leverage. I decided to compare the two hammers by doing what most people do with a hammer – smacking some nails!

powerstrike hammer
The Powerstrike Hammer – 4″ longer, 4 1/2-oz. lighter

My hammer of choice has always been my old Estwing 24-oz. solid steel handle framing hammer. Unfortunately, after over 40 years of banging nails, I apparently lost it on a job a few months back, so the Craftsman has been standing in. It works fine, and after setting a 16p. nail, I can consistently sink it with three blows (two if I’m feeling extra powerful). After sinking a few into some framing lumber, I switched over to the Powerstrike Hammer.

powerstrike hammer
The magnetic nail setting feature in action

I had a bit of a learning curve with the Powerstrike hammer. I had never used a hammer with a magnetic nail starter before; turns out that when you set the nail, you need to use a fairly mild blow. I smacked it hard, and sent a couple of nails off into the ether before I figured that out. The magnet is very strong and holds the nail on the head with no problem. A minor quibble: you have to make sure the nail is coming straight off the head of the hammer. Other hammers with a nail starter have a groove in the top of the head as a guide, but apparently the removable head on the Powerstrike makes that tougher to incorporate into the design.

powerstrike hammer
Powerstrike spring face – you are getting sleepy…

The other problem I had was judging where the hammer was going to hit; the extra 4” requires some recalibration of the swing. By my fourth or fifth nail, I was catching on (hey, I’m trainable!), and was able to regularly sink the sinkers with three and sometimes two blows.

powerstrike hammer
Two easily changeable faces

According to the folks at Powerstrike, the dynamic reflex technology used in the spring-faced head acts as a leaf spring, storing and releasing energy. This is supposed to enable you to hit harder with less effort and fatigue. After using the two hammers side by side, there IS a noticeable difference in the shock that gets transmitted into your arm; the Powerstrike hammer is much easier on the forearm. For a framing carpenter pounding away all day, this should translate to a lot less wear and tear on the old (speaking for myself) tendons and muscles.

powerstrike hammer
Two side pullers, to easily fix other people’s mistakes

An additional feature I liked was the inclusion of a nail puller on each side of the head. These, combined with the claw, provide three good options for ripping out any mistakes – hey, just because WE don’t screw up doesn’t mean nobody does! The long handle helps, too, offering good leverage for cranking those pesky rusted fasteners out.

 The Powerstrike Hammer – Color Your Own

So is the Powerstrike Hammer worth the price of admission? If you use your tools regularly, and appreciate a well-crafted tool, it’s definitely worth considering. The tool has a quality feel and look to it, and the ability to customize it, in terms of the swing weight – and the color – make it unique. And you’ll sure as hell know if someone steals it! The fact that it’s made in the U.S.A., in their manufacturing facility in Vista, California, may also help sway you; we like to support domestic manufacturers whenever they deserve it.

powerstrike hammer
The Powerstrike Hammer in Gunmetal

The Powerstrike Hammer is backed with a limited lifetime warranty, and is available directly from the manufacturer in your choice of color for $149. Replacement parts are available as well. And, don’t forget to visit HomeFixated in a few months or so when we do our Powerstrike hammer giveaway!

powerstrike hammer

Photo of author

About Phil

Phil’s path to the pinnacle of success as HomeFixated’s Senior Writer was long and twisted. At various stages of his life, he worked as a framing carpenter, attended motorcycle mechanics school, served as an Army MP, did a hot and itchy stint installing insulation in Phoenix, owned and operated a small contracting firm doing residential renovations, and worked as an employee of a major airline (Motto: We’re not happy ‘til YOU’RE not happy). He is currently semi-retired, but continues to take on little projects, such as the total renovation of an old farmhouse. Yes, he is a slow learner. Future projects include a teardown restoration of his 1965 BMW motorcycle, and designing and building a kick-ass playhouse for his grandsons. Phil loves spending time outdoors, hanging out with family and friends, cool tools, and a cold IPA when beer o'clock rolls around.

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24 thoughts on “Powerstrike Hammer Review – A Light and Bright Heavy Hitter”

    • You could try ordering through their website, https://powerstrike-hammer.square.site/ although at the moment it looks like all their ready-to-go hammers are out of stock. You can buy the parts separately, though (handle, head, strike face) and put one together for about the same price. The pink shows Low Stock, though, so if that’s your preference, better hurry – Cheers!

      Reply
      • I’m a female scaffold builder. I’ve been looking for a hammer that would hold up to the job and work with the smaller hands and arms of a female. ( more power less work )

        Reply
  1. The only thing that could be better in my opinion is make the striking surface (face) plum with the top of the head for finish nails or for siding in tough spots… Other than that it’s spot on for the future of hammers.

    Reply
    • The way they designed the nail-setting feature pretty much requires the face to be offset a little. It’s a sturdy hammer, though; I’ve been using mine for almost a year now, and it can take a beating. Thanks for your comments, Matt!

      Reply
  2. We’ll I had I great opportunity to test out the hammers and find defects in them, I’ve been a framing carpenter now for twenty yrs. I grew up on the job site used many many hammers from cheap ones to expensive ones, I was a skeptic at first but it’s been a really great hammer, the handle it awesome pulling nails knowing your not going to snap your wooden handle, it’s paid for it’s self already. Paying for an other handle trying to find it because the Home Depot or lowes don’t Carry them an if they do their sold out so there you go buying another new hammer. But The overall Hammer its great it swings great it drives the nails in couple swings it doesn’t feel heavy at all, pulls nails great with claws or side of the hammer. I love my hammer I’m going buy another one for my home.

    Reply
    • I’ve had mine for about ten months now, and it’s holding up great. It’s pretty bulletproof, but it’s nice to know that if I ever DO manage to mangle it, the lifetime warranty will get me back in the pink again. Or yellow. Thanks for your comments, Daniel!

      Reply
  3. This is probably by far the most interesting hammer i have seen online, i am personally saving up for either a Douglas tool Steel hammer or this one. I wish the the marketing and advertising would reach more people, so i can see more reviews and maybe even personal videos on how it measure up to other high end hammers.

    Reply
    • Hi Jaafar! Thanks for the comments. We’ve heard good things about Douglas too. Check back in October. . . we’re tentatively scheduled to have a giveaway of one of the PowerStrike hammers that month!

      Reply
  4. For 149 dollars i bought a 14 oz stiletto and a 19 oz vaughan. Set and two sinks is all either one takes. No extra parts to worry about. And straight handles not many people i know like curved handles. Looks like a great idea in the making though.

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    • You’re right about the curved handle, Corbin; all my other hammers have straight handles, and it does take some getting used to. Offering a straight handle as an option might attract more buyers; the hammer really is nice to use, thanks to the almost nonexistent shock that gets transmitted to your arm. Thanks for your comment!

      Reply
  5. Cool looking hammers, but at $149 I’d feel like a tool buying one… but I guess fashion is expensive. If you want to give me one I wouldn’t mind field testing it and telling you if it’s worth it!!

    Reply
    • Awesome offer, Sam – we’ll get back to you on that! Meanwhile, check back in May – I believe that’s when we’re giving one away.

      Reply
  6. The colors are a nice touch to personalize, but not necessary. It’s easy enough to engrave your name or other identifying info into a tool. Another marking trick I’ve used when several people have the same identical tools is to give a few wraps of different colored electrical tape around the handle of a tool – whatever colors/order you choose will identify yours from theirs.

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    • Good tip, Nathan; thanks! Kind of like travelers putting different colored ribbon on their suitcases, or, as I saw recently, a big tag that said “NOT YOURS!”

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  7. One would think that due to the colors your tool won’t “walk away” from the jobsite. And I agree with another poster ……. $149 for a hammer is a bit pricey for me.

    Reply
    • You’re right, $149 is a lot more than I ever spent for a hammer, and it’s probably more than the average DIYer is willing to spend. I would guess the market for these hammers will be framing carpenters who swing a hammer all day long. If I was still doing that, I’d be willing to part with some extra $$$ up front, to save the wear and tear on my arm; you really CAN feel a difference in how much shock gets transmitted into your arm. Thanks for your comments!

      Reply
  8. It’s definitely a “striking” tool. And it really is super light, almost like “how did they make this so light and still get it to work!?” Definitely bound to garner some attention on the job site.

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    • Striking indeed, Matt! The extra length gives the head more momentum, apparently, and the combination of the high-tech head and the handle doing a good job of reducing vibration makes the hammer a pleasure to use. Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  9. Excellent review! This looks to be a really well thought-out hammer and I like the fact is made in the USA, but for what I normally do this would be out of my price range. That being said, the fact that this comes in pink is an interesting plus in my book. I had a family member pass away from breast cancer and this could be a rather unique way to start conversations about the importance of having loved ones get regular mammograms.

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    • Thanks, Robb. It is a sweet tool, and it’s always a pleasure to work with quality stuff. Sorry for your loss; be sure to check back in May for a chance to win your own conversation starter!

      Reply
    • Hey everyone!! Thank you all for the great compliments on our hammer. Great idea Robb! Breast Cancer support. I am also sorry for your loss. I wanted to let all of you know if you visit our website & sign up for our specials I will be replying with a % off our Powerstrike hammer.. Limited time for our friends here at Homefixated.com. Once again thanks to all! Have a great day!

      Kindly, Diana V.

      Reply

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