Years later, the brilliantly designed and gorgeously balanced Maxistrike hammer line is available all over the world, and its exploding popularity is easy to understand the second you take this hammer in hand.

The difference is all in Redback Tools' solid, one-piece patented arc shaft, an unlikely-looking curve in the hammer shaft that actually lets the hammer head reach into recessed surfaces that normally would have necessitated a nail punch. Redback calls this "maxi-access," but we just call it genius. The curvature totally recenters the balance, and in turn, makes the blows more efficient as well as less jarring to your arm. Contributing to the noticeable comfort factor is the extraordinary grip on this hammer. It's made of thermoplastic elastomer, which functions both as a shock absorber and secure gripping surface. There are subtle indentations that your fingers just find when you grip it, too, and it feels amazing in hand.

This is a 24-ounce brute of a hammer, but wielding it, you'd think it was closer to 16 ounces. The rip claw is machined beautifully, and the milled head is designed especially for the professional builder and framer. We think this hammer will become a must-have for those in the trade -- watch this one: It's going to be a hit.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

The Redback Story
When a serious 2002 motorbike accident ended Australian carpenter Jake Tyson's career as a tradesman, he focused his energy on improving a tool that had remained unchanged for more than a century—the simple hammer. The end result was the Maxistrike, a hammer with a patented arc shaft that allows users to drive nails over obstacles like joists and piping. When he found that large tool companies weren't interested in his idea, Tyson decided that he had to market the hammer himself.

Redback launched the Maxistrike in November 2003 and saw it win the "Dealer's Pick" award at that year's American Hardware Show. Since then, Redback has continued to dedicate itself to manufacturing innovative, sturdy tools for the carpenter and contractor, such as the MaxiS5 Phillips Screwdriver which works with both Posidrive and multiple head sizes of Phillips screws. Other innovative products include the Sketch Tape, a measuring tape that lets users write measurements on the tape's surface, and the Maxiknife, a rugged utility knife with a patented blade-change system and onboard storage for extra blades.

Redback products are meant for professionals and do-it-yourselfers alike, and they are designed for maximum durability and functionality.