Tool bit

1. A tool bit defining a longitudinal axis, the tool bit comprising:

a hexagonal drive portion;

a working end made of a first material having a first hardness; and

a shank interconnecting the drive portion and the working end, wherein the shank includes a cylindrical outer periphery, a hollow core, and a plurality of radially extending elongated slots through the cylindrical outer periphery and in communication with the hollow core, wherein each elongated slot defines a width and a central axis perpendicular to the width;

wherein the central axis of each elongated slot is obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the tool bit;

wherein a circumferential distance separating adjacent elongated slots is greater than the width of each elongated slot; and

wherein the shank is made of a second material having a second hardness, and wherein the first hardness is higher than the second hardness.

2. The tool bit of claim 1 , wherein the hollow core is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the tool bit.

3. The tool bit of claim 2 , wherein the hollow core extends through the entire axial length of the shank.

4. The tool bit of claim 3 , wherein the hollow core extends through the entire axial length of the drive portion.

5. The tool bit of claim 1 , wherein the shank includes a protrusion extending within a portion of the working end.

6. The tool bit of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongated slots is positioned closer to the working end than the drive portion in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the tool bit.

7. The tool bit of claim 1 , wherein the first material and the second material include a ferrous alloy composition.

8. The tool bit of claim 1 , wherein the first hardness is between about 55 HRC and about 65 HRC.

9. The tool bit of claim 1 , wherein the second hardness is between about 40 HRC and about 55 HRC.

10. A tool bit defining a longitudinal axis, the tool bit comprising:

a hexagonal drive portion;

a working end made of a first material having a first hardness; and

a shank interconnecting the drive portion and the working end, wherein the shank includes a cylindrical outer periphery, a hollow core, and a plurality of radially extending elongated slots through the cylindrical outer periphery and in communication with the hollow core, wherein each elongated slot defines a width, a central axis perpendicular to the width, and a length;

wherein the central axis of each elongated slot is obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the tool bit;

wherein a circumferential distance separating adjacent elongated slots is greater than the width of each elongated slot; and

wherein a ratio of the length of one of the plurality of elongated slots to the width of the one of the plurality of elongated slots is about 2.5:1 to about 11.7:1.

11. The tool bit of claim 10 , wherein the shank is made of a second material having a second hardness, and wherein the first hardness is higher than the second hardness.

12. The tool bit of claim 11 , wherein the first material and the second material include a ferrous alloy composition.

13. The tool bit of claim 11 , wherein the first hardness is between about 55 HRC and about 65 HRC.

14. The tool bit of claim 11 , wherein the second hardness is between about 40 HRC and about 55 HRC.

15. The tool bit of claim 10 , wherein the hollow core is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the tool bit.

16. The tool bit of claim 15 , wherein the hollow core extends through the entire axial length of the shank.

17. The tool bit of claim 16 , wherein the hollow core extends through the entire axial length of the drive portion.

18. The tool bit of claim 10 , wherein the shank includes a protrusion extending within a portion of the working end.

19. The tool bit of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of elongated slots is positioned closer to the working end than the drive portion in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the tool bit.