Core77

Massive Multi-Tool: The Cole-Bar Hammer

By Rain Noe - May 9, 2013

in Hand Tools | Kickstarter

Statistically speaking, most of us only use crowbars when we're about to be arrested for Menacing, but if you've ever had to do light demo around the house you know how handy they can be. Someone actually stole my crowbar a couple of years ago, and I never bought a replacement since I haven't recently needed to pry anything open or dispense street justice.

Maybe it's just as well that I've held off, as a new crowbar may be hitting the market at the end of this summer. And, usefully, it also happens to be a hammer. And a 1/2-inch socket wrench, and a couple of other things. I'm normally skeptical of multi-tools, but the Cole-Bar Hammer, which is currently up on Kickstarter, look pretty promising:

I know what you're thinking: How well would that central joint hold up when the tool is extended into a full-length crowbar?

The answer is TBD, as the designers are still trying to get the funding for proper load testing. A second thing that gives me pause is, prior to mine being stolen I actually used the shallow-angle side of my crowbar more than the ski-jump side—but then again I was trying to pry sheetrock off of steel studs without cracking the sheets (long story), admittedly not the typical application.

At press time the Cole-Bar Hammer was up to $64,000 out of a $100,000 target, with over two months left to pledge. Should it be funded, the team estimates production models would be ready as early as this August.

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Harri Grönqvist

7 years ago

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Well, why not to buy two Cole-Bar Hammers. ;-)

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Chris

11 years ago

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"The hammer, reinvented."
Guys. Please stop reinventing things that have worked flawlessly for 3000 years. Just stop it.
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nathan

11 years ago

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i was just on kickstarter and the cole-bar hammer was funded!!!

i think it was at 112,500 can't wait to get one!!!
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Chris

11 years ago

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Really cool concept. I too am worried about the strength of that central joint though. Why not have the pivot point a couple inches from the end, so the extended bit can lock in (when its at 180) and distribute the torque over a few inches instead of one point?
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Conan

11 years ago

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So what happens when you want to use a hammer and crobar?
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Emanster Provolone

11 years ago

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Looks very nice, but I have to agree that Im not sure about that center socket. Ive used extensions to get more torque on a socket before and I can say that when they're used incorrectly like this, theyre not likely to hold up long. I like the video and the design looks super cool, but this tool looks well suited to late-night infomercial.
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Austin

11 years ago

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The opening paragraph brought laughter into my life.
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