DeWalt 22 oz Smooth Face Framing Hammer

First swings and first impressions

On the first nail, this DeWalt framing hammer made it clear where it fits: a jobsite workhorse that favors efficiency over frills. At 22 ounces with a smooth face and a steel handle, it lands in a sweet spot for framing where you want real driving power without the bulk and fatigue of a 28-ounce head. The balance is tuned toward the head, but not so aggressively that it feels top-heavy. The result is a controlled arc and a predictable strike that helped me find a rhythm quickly.

The grip is a standout. DeWalt’s tear-resistant, anti-slip handle covering is tacky without being gummy, and it doesn’t twist under sweaty hands or when wearing gloves. Even in light rain it stayed planted. It’s not a cushioned miracle worker—this is a steel-handled hammer after all—but it noticeably softens the sting compared to bare steel or thin overmolds I’ve used.

Design details that matter

This is a one-piece steel hammer with a heat-treated shaft. That construction screams durability: no wedge to loosen, no handle to split, and no neck to bend under pry loads. The rip claw is long and straight enough for general demolition and fast shingle lifts, and the side nail puller built into the cheek adds a genuinely useful extraction option when space is tight. DeWalt’s “tri-pull” feature—a trio of nail-grabbing points sized for finish nails, framing nails, and even staples—sounds gimmicky on paper, but in practice it gives you options when the claw can’t get the bite you want.

The head uses a shield-shaped strike face. It’s still smooth, so you won’t be chewing up surfaces or leaving waffle marks on trim, but that shape buys a little extra purchase at the edges when toe-nailing. It’s subtle, yet it helps reduce glance-offs when you’re coming in at an angle.

Dimensions-wise, the overall length offers good leverage without feeling unwieldy on a belt. It rides comfortably and doesn’t fight for space with a speed square.

Driving performance

The 22-ounce head puts nails in with authority. With 16d commons, I was routinely seating in two to three solid swings after the set. Compared to a 20-ounce wood-handled framing hammer, this one delivers more consistent depth on the second strike and requires fewer correction taps. Compared to a 28-ounce steel sledge of a framer, you give up a bit of brute-force speed on dense LVL, but gain noticeable control and less end-of-day shoulder fatigue.

Strike accuracy is helped by the balance and by the way the head tracks through the arc. Mis-hits were rare, and when they did happen the smooth face kept damage minimal. If you spend most of your time on structural framing with galvanized nails, you’ll miss the extra bite of a milled face; that’s the tradeoff for keeping your finish surfaces cleaner and your puncture risks lower around MEP rough-ins.

Toe-nailing and the face shape

Toe-nailing is where the shield-shaped face earns its keep. Coming in at a shallow angle, I found the corners to “catch” the nail head a touch better than a perfectly round face. It’s not a replacement for a milled texture, but it does reduce the number of skating starts. The smooth face still demands a confident set—no surprise there—but once you’re into the meat of the drive, the head geometry keeps your strikes centered.

Magnetic nail starter: small feature, big time-saver

The integrated magnetic nail starter is strong enough to hold 16d nails securely. It excels overhead and in awkward reaches where a second hand isn’t available. For 8d finish nails it’s almost too easy; for ring-shank and hot-dip galvanized nails, the magnet still holds well, though you’ll want to check alignment before the first tap. I used it frequently for soffit work and ladder tasks where the alternative would have been fumbling a nail or biting it in my teeth (we’ve all been there).

If you haven’t used a hammer with a nail starter before, it’s a productivity booster and a safety upgrade. Once you get used to it, you miss it on hammers that don’t have it.

Pulling and prying

Between the rip claw, side nail puller, and the tri-pull features, extraction options are excellent. The side puller shines when the board face doesn’t give you room to swing the claw. With the hammer braced and a quick roll of the wrist, 8d and 10d nails backed out cleanly without chewing up the surrounding material too badly. For finish nails, the smaller slot in the tri-pull let me grab heads precisely and walk them out without shearing. The staple slot was surprisingly effective for 18-gauge staples when removing underlayment—fewer breaks than with a cat’s paw.

The one-piece steel build gives you the confidence to lean on the tool for light prying. I wouldn’t treat it like a flat bar for heavy demolition, but for popping studs off plates or teasing a sill out of adhesive, it held straight and true.

Vibration and comfort over a full day

Steel-handled hammers will always transmit more vibration than wood or composite. This one is no exception, but the grip material and the balanced swing reduce the sting. After a day of framing and sheathing, my elbow felt better than it does with a heavier 28-ounce steel framer, and only slightly more rattled than with a good fiberglass model. If you’re sensitive to shock or you swing all day, every day, a titanium or tuned composite hammer will be gentler—but you’ll pay for that privilege and you may lose some driving power.

The grip’s durability claim seems legitimate; after scraping concrete, riding in an overstuffed bag, and a few drops off staging, it shows scuffs but no tears or delamination.

Accuracy, control, and workflow

What I like most is how consistent the hammer feels. The head tracks straight; the face meets the nail where I expect; the tool returns to the same resting point in my hand swing after swing. That predictability builds speed. On ladders and in tight corners, the side puller and nail starter shave minutes across a day—small margins that add up.

What I’d change

• Offer a milled-face version at the same weight. Smooth face is versatile, but framers working primarily with galvanized nails would appreciate added traction without stepping up in head weight.
• Slightly more shock mitigation would broaden the appeal. Even a tweak to the grip density or a bit of isolation at the neck could help without compromising durability.
• The side puller slot could be a hair wider to accept larger painted nail heads without scraping finish.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re quality-of-life tweaks.

Who it’s for

• Framing carpenters and remodelers who want a durable, no-nonsense steel hammer with solid driving power and useful extraction features.
• Serious DIYers who do a mix of framing, deck building, and light demo and prefer a smooth face to avoid marring.
• Trades who work overhead or on ladders and can benefit from a reliable magnetic nail starter.

If you primarily do finish work, this is more hammer than you need. If you’re swinging eight hours a day and are sensitive to vibration, a composite or titanium option may be worth considering.

Durability and support

The one-piece steel construction, heat-treated shaft, and tough grip inspire confidence for long-term use. I didn’t see any mushrooming or deformation at the claw after pry loads, and the face held up well without peening. The limited lifetime warranty and a reasonable return window are reassuring, though I don’t expect to need them based on how this tool has behaved.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt framing hammer for anyone who needs a reliable, high-value framer with modern conveniences and real jobsite durability. It drives like a heavier hammer, remains controllable, and integrates a magnetic nail starter and side puller that actually speed up the work. While it transmits more vibration than wood or composite options and a milled-face variant would benefit some users, the overall balance, grip security, and extraction features make it a strong choice for framing, deck work, and general carpentry. If you want one hammer to live on your belt that can swing, pry, and pull without babying it, this one earns the spot.