What would everyone choose for a pry bar set if you were to buy new?

[ive]

Your input please.

Thank you

 

[619DioFan]

The hypertough brand from walmart are very nice. pretty sure they are made by wilde. I would get some if I wasnt already set.

 

[GeoBruin]

Tekton because I would get tekton rewards.

But seriously, you need to specify what lengths you need. I suspect Mayhew Dominators, Tekton, Lang, and maybe Channelock are all going to be in the same ballpark for a typical 3 piece set and will all be well made. Maybe you have a handle preference? Color preference?

Not all of them carry the very longest or very shortest so you may pick a set base on which you might find most useful. You can always go down to harbor freight and pick up that big mac daddy 58" for $99 if you really needed one later.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have and use MAUHEW. I can recommend Mayhew, Made in USA. Plus. Mayhew look good.

 

[decableguy2000]

Wilde, have them in Craftsman, Hypertough, and Lang colors. I do believe Tekton, and Channellock are made by Wilde as well

 

[AJHD]

Snap On. Bought my set a few years ago and absolutely love them.

Snap On hard handles would also be acceptable, but I much prefer the rounded semi-soft grip striking cap version I have.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Tekton is even made in the USA. I bought one of their sets recently. Really like them. Wish the handles came in groovy colors, but they do pry bar stuff just fine.

-Ryan

 

[sparky 1971]

For just a basic pry bar set, I have, and would purchase again, a rebranded Wilde three piece set. 12, 17, and 24". Mine is sold at Menards under the Masterforce name for $25.00. I haven't seen a set like it sold anywhere else that inexpensive, but I haven't had a reason to look either. Other than the 24" bar I dropped into a lift station, mine have performed flawlessly.

Masterforce® 3-Piece Pry Bar Set

Handle Pry Bar with Strike Cap

www.menards.com

 

[yellowbox]

The newest version of snap on is ugly , looks like a big *****
So not those ....
I like my old hard handled ones

 

[Komet]

Honestly my Pittsburgh pry bars have taken everything I've thrown at them and they were very cheap. Way better than not having any. No striker cap but I tend to use a chisel for that sort of thing because it's shorter.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I have the Milwaukee pry bar set from Home Depot not bad since 2020.

 

[scooby074]

Budget? I have Mayhew doms but not as rigid as the so i used to have

 

[four.cycle]

Wilde, but I'm partial to Wilde.

Mayhew gets excellent reviews here as well.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Me I would buy an Estwing but that's a construction pry bar and I am guessing your looking for mechanics type.

 

[KnurledNut]

If I was in Canada like the OP, I’d be rounding up some Richards.

 

[Rinspeed]

If your local Walmart has the Hypertough with the strike plate they are a steal for what they are asking. Last I looked they were half the price of the Tekton for the same made in USA Wilde.

 

[AEAdam]

I have Snap On hard handles, but honestly…it’s a hunk of steel. I almost think any crow bar or flat bar would suffice or perform equally. The Snap on hard handle design was for screwdrivers. They have no particular advantage as prybar or ratchet handles. Not sure I’d advise buying a set. Certainly wouldn’t advise spending big on something.

I have an old Snap On ladies foot? With a taper at the other end I use at lot. Rolling foot crow bar? Also a small s-shaped crow bar I find helpful.

I think I’d recommend pawn shops, yard sales etc.

 

[nadogail]

I would check around, Home Depot, Walmart, and Harbor Freight are near to me; Lowes is within a reasonable distance.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I bought numerous Wilde prybars from HJE. Most of mine are not striking cap, but they make them with those caps now. I don't do comfort grips, so I like the full plastic handles.

I have mayhew for larger bars, but the handles are comfy grip and thus I don't care for that.



EDIT: Saw Hi-Viz yellow on the snap on truck last week. Starting over that might be my choice for daily driver sizes. I'm a sucker for Hi-Viz.

 

[AmericanMechanic]

You can always go down to harbor freight and pick up that big mac daddy 58" for $99 if you really needed one later.

Thanks. Looks like Mayhew 58" is another $3-4 cheaper. 3/4" square shank... thick enough to take 250 lbs on a 5 ft long bar?

 

[GeoBruin]

Thanks. Looks like Mayhew 58" is another $3-4 cheaper. 3/4" square shank... thick enough to take 250 lbs on a 5 ft long bar?

Lift the side/corner of a 250lb object? No problem. Not sure about imparting 250 lbs of lifting force. My mental meter says that checks out but you'll have some deflection.

 

[yellowbox]

I bought numerous Wilde prybars from HJE. Most of mine are not striking cap, but they make them with those caps now. I don't do comfort grips, so I like the full plastic handles.

I have mayhew for larger bars, but the handles are comfy grip and thus I don't care for that.



EDIT: Saw Hi-Viz yellow on the snap on truck last week. Starting over that might be my choice for daily driver sizes. I'm a sucker for Hi-Viz.

I agree , I have this thing about any and all comfort grips ....THEY **** ...just saying

 

[PlanB]

I bought a set of Tekz for $15 at princess auto, they flex when i use them but my wallet didn't when i bought them.

Keep and eye on Princess Auto

 

[setfocus]

My favorite are the old snapon handle design that were the shape of the hardhandle ratchets/screw drivers. I've got a medium and a large with striking caps. Not big on the new design, but I do have one in the real big extra large size. And a small Wilde 8" bar

For new still made, the Wilde are the closest to old snapon. I'd get the Lang version because they are orange, but they don't make a Lang version of the 8" Wilde

I not big on rubber grips, they collect grime, turn black from grime, and get your clean hands instantly dirty

 

[Formula]

I have Snap on and Mayhew pry bars. Both are nice but the Snap ons are a little more beefy and sturdy feeling than the Mayhews.

 

[Fedwrench]

Mayhew Dominators

 

[f121]

Snap on, been beating on them for 20 years and see no reason to change. I prefer the old handle design with the striking caps, less of a fan of the rounded handle although no real reason beyond ‘the old design worked fine for years’.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

The newest version of snap on is ugly , looks like a big *****
So not those ....
I like my old hard handled ones

That is what I think also. I have the Wilde craftsman and Menards versions. If I wanted to step it up I would go Mayhew

 

[FSUwelder1212]

Mac...Yes they are rebranded mayhew, however, they have better handles imo and ease of warranty plus they regularly go on special in the flyer for not a whole lot more than mayhew brand.

 

[bwringer]

"Pry bar" doesn't narrow things down much... there are a lot of pry bars for different situations; mechanicking, carpentry, construction, logistics, etc.

If we're assuming things you might use in the garage for working on vehicles, then yeah, the Wilde-made bars with striking caps in the color(s) of your choice are the entire cat's ***, not to mention the bee's knees and the arthropod's ankles.

The striking caps are indeed a game-changer. Sometimes you just need to reach out and thwack something far away, you know? Before finding these, I shattered the plastic handles on several lesser pry bars by hammering on them to do something necessary. Sweep up the pieces and carry on with the bare steel bar...

 

[AJHD]

Mac...Yes they are rebranded mayhew, however, they have better handles imo and ease of warranty plus they regularly go on special in the flyer for not a whole lot more than mayhew brand.

Agreed. If you're not going Snap On, I think MAC is a good option.

If I'm not mistaken both the Matco and MAC are rebranded Mayhew, but the Matco have huge handles and Mayhew factory options are not much better. The MAC offerings have a much nicer rounded handle that's more "properly sized" even on the 58".

They are also like 1/2 the cost of Snap On. I think the 58" was on sale for like $125 awhile back, which is why I bought it over the comparable Snap On at over $300.

 

[Lt CHEG]

I’ve got some Craftsman labeled, non striking cap Wildes, and some Matco branded, strike cap equipped Mayhews that I got a great deal on. I can‘t recall any of the, giving me a problem. I’d say I prefer the Matco versions with their strike caps, and now much easier means of warranty, but I still use the Craftsman/Wilde pry bars too. I guess I’d say that the preference is for strike cap equipped pry bars for sure, but I don’t think there is enough difference in any of the brands to warrant a huge difference in price. I’d probably buy the set that’s the best deal at the time, or wait for a set that is on a great promotion.

 

[lardy1]

I have rebranded Wilde curved and Mayhew Dominator straight. The Wilde work fine. They're pry bars. If I was stressing them I'd likely get Mayhew.

 

[alinc100]

If I was in Canada like the OP, I’d be rounding up some Richards.

When I saw the question and the OP I clicked the thread to say the same thing.Here in the States the Richard pry bars came up at a discount retailer Ollie's, so I bought one of each available size.They have performed well,but I have them in my box at a job where we build displays/trade/auto show stuff and we do 'mechanic' type stuff but it is always on brand new parts/engines/axles,etc.

 

[XJSuperman]

I went with Wilde this year and last. Bought them separately from a tool dealer at a farm show, hence the multi-year purchases. They are of excellent quality, don't cost an arm like SO, and blow any of the cheap **** like Grip or HF out of the water. Comparable sizes have much thicker bodies.

 

[InjectorService]

I have Mayhewi haven't tried others but I can't believe how tough they are. They hold an edge very well, I thought they would chip and dull like a chisel, but they don't. And I'm not nice to them when I need them

 

[GeoBruin]

Thanks. Looks like Mayhew 58" is another $3-4 cheaper. 3/4" square shank... thick enough to take 250 lbs on a 5 ft long bar?

And just like that, Harbor Freight counters with a 20% coupon for all Icon hand tools.

 

[JradM]

I'd wait for another deal on the 4pc Tekz set at Princess Auto. Last time they were the "doorbuster" for $8.88.



I have two sets already. They work great and flex very little. They have no business being that good for <$10 (or even the "regular" price of $17). If you shop around you'll find they sell for more elsewhere, so I'm not sure why Princess Auto sells them for that price.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

You also need pry bars for home renovation Stanley from Home Depot.

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

Anyone know a current supplier for Richard pry bars? I go to Canada periodically and am always interested in getting made-in-Canada tools but am not having any luck finding these online. Worried they may be discontinued.