Peter, dumbells presses can actually be more difficult because the weight is not fixed and requires much more muscle action to stabilize it. That is why people have to use less weight with dumbells, not because they are sissy. On the other hand, barbells allow for more weight and that can be good, too.

The increased range of motion you get with dumbells is useful and they allow more variety in hand position. The same applies to other exercises as well. Try tricep extensions or skullcrushers with a barbell, and EZ-Bar; or one or two dumbells and it changes the feel of the exercise a great deal, I think.

This kind of variation is good for everyone but especially for more advanced trainees whose body's have adapted to the monotony of just pushing more and more weight (as important as that is) using the same exercises.

Good luck Kane and happy birthday, Peter.