The Chalk Hog is used for marking lines at the “snap” of a string.

This is a large marking tool — thus the “Hog” in the name — and is made of a seemingly durable plastic case. A few metal parts accompany the tool — found in the sharpener (for a carpenters pencil), the reel handle, and end of line hook. Everything appears to be built solid for a hard day on the job site, or in the shop.

So simple, yet so beautiful. Who doesn’t enjoy poppin’ blue lines across some fresh plywood just before plunking down a dozen nails? Or snappin’ a stripe across timbers to mark your cuts before grabbing for the worm drive saw? The new Chalk Hog 100 is a step up for an ordinary chalk line tool. It has a finer line that definitely snaps clean, and reportedly uses much less chalk per snap — thus saving you money long term. In building a barn, we put this tool to use time and time again to mark our cuts, nail paths, and more. The fun of “blue line’in” quickly became the best part of the job … and not only because the act of snappin’ the line was fun, but also because it was so easy to use. The end of chalk was no where near in site (considering it holds a full 8oz bottom), the quick reel returned the line with little effort, and the built-in pencil sharpener was an added convenience.

If you are buying your first chalk line tool — get this one. It has all the features of the best at a better price. If you already have a chalk line and rarely use it, then you won’t need another and this might not be worth it to you. If you chalk often … then it’s a no brainer. It will pay for itself in chalk saved (it uses less) and you’ll no longer have to fill the tool with chalk … you just screw on a new 8oz bottle when you’re out!

Manufactured by CH Hanson, the Chalk Hog retails for around $15 - $20.