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

[JradM]

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.

Are we talking about the Richard Tool company that mostly makes painting tools? If so, I had no idea they made pry bars in Canada.

I was scouring the internet but only found a moulding pry bar and a couple lengths of scraper/lever pry bars (10" or 14"). Home Depot says they are made in Canada, but I can't confirm that on Richard's website (there is a "Canada" on them though).

I presume you're saying they once made a broader selection of pry bars though.



I like it when I find a Canadian-made tool. There aren't that many. It's like Gray tools, Rolgear, Richard (although some of the product line is imported) and Picquic. Maybe I'll grab one of these 10" pry bars to pair with the Pic.

Edit: Forgot about Grohmann Knives too.

 

[Steve_P]

I have Mayhew dominator and Wilde. Mayhew uses better steel IMO as the tips on them show less wear than my Wilde. And the Mayhews have seen more use. Wilde is good for the $ though.

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

@JradM Yeah, based on some other people’s posts in this thread I was looking for screwdriver handle type pry bars, was able to find one here but this store doesn’t appear to ship https://sutherlands.com/products/item/7251531/richard-tools-18-inch-heavy-duty-curved-steel-pry-bar

The scraper does look nice though! I may have to get one next time

 

[KnurledNut]

I believe the Richards are discontinued.
They are really solid comfortable bars.
Here is an old thread about them when many of us picked them up for cheap.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...ade-pry-bars-at-ollies-bargain-outlet.228370/

 

[InjectorService]

Those little red trim pry bars are everywhere up here. Pretty tough little tools. But I dint think that's what this thread is about.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Need prybars for home renovations buy Stanley from Depot.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

If wrenching professionally like me I like the Snap-on. However for occasional at home use I’ve got Craftsman USA (Wilde rebrand) and Hyper Tough (also Wilde rebrand) all USA made and great. The Snap-on in my opinion are a little bit stronger on the ends.

 

[CS454]

I'd buy a 1" Hex 48"+ crowbar a lot sooner to compliment the 24" crowbar. Seen Snappy makes some but mucho dinero.

 

[four.cycle]

wrong thread

 

[bwringer]

Those little red trim pry bars are everywhere up here. Pretty tough little tools. But I dint think that's what this thread is about.

Hard to tell. The OP seems to have vanished without ever clarifying what sort of pry bar they were seeking.

But honestly, I'm pretty happy to discuss all pry bars here. Pretty useful conversation. I've got mechanicking pry bars covered, but I'm light on the home/carpentry sort.


There's a small, thin, ridiculously strong pry bar I lost a while back, and I've never managed to find an exact replacement.

It's close to this shape and size, with some very subtle differences and improvements, and without the idiotic coating of green paint to scrape off on your work. No clue who made the one I lost.

Masterforce® 7" Mini Pry Bar

This mini bar from Masterforce® is made from high quality tempered steel. It features a rust-resistant powder coat finish.

www.menards.com

 

[alinc100]

Hard to tell. The OP seems to have vanished without ever clarifying what sort of pry bar they were seeking.

But honestly, I'm pretty happy to discuss all pry bars here. Pretty useful conversation. I've got mechanicking pry bars covered, but I'm light on the home/carpentry sort.

I may be picking up the wrong vibe on the OP ,but to me the OP asks a lot of questions that could be solved with a bit of Googling/research/DIY and with former co-workers of mine ,what I call the Tom Sawyer Effect, why should I research something,when I can ask a question and get y'all to research it for me? But again just the vibe I get seeing the OP's posts and certainly I don't read all of them, It could just be the OP values the very good info this site has to offer.

 

[1cargarage]

If you're going to be prying with them, I have the Snap On Multi Position Pry Bar Set (and the 24" offering to round it all out) and I love them. A lot of companies are offering similar prybars these days. I got mine used 10+ years ago and have never had an issue with them slipping.



If you're going to be prying AND STRIKING them, the Snap On bars are probably nice, but I don't own any. I have Mayhew bars/drifts/long punches and I've been adequately satisfied with their stuff for years. Also, they're a fraction of the money for truck brands.

 

[InjectorService]

The indexing pry bars are nice, but not a replacement for a striking bar. I have both. I do not like my indexing bars though. Some adjust with a button push, mine adjust with a threaded knob. Screw it out to adjust, screw it in to lock. If I used them more I'd replace them. Just something to be aware of if you're buying that style.

 

[burger]

I have 4 pry bars. A Craftsman set and a random cheapie with a striker cap. They all get abused. It’s really based on what length I need. You should own beater chisels as well. Plus at least one large screwdriver that gets wailed on.

 

[burger]

I would not worry about pry tool brands. They’re abused tools. Own a variety of cheap ones and treat them ****** as you wail on them.

 

[AmericanMechanic]

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

Zoro does 20% too.

 

[Mr_B]

what lengths people using most in auto repair of the indexing type prybars .
how good are the carlyle branded ones ! ...

 

[MovingAlong]

Whatever bar you buy, know your tool, it's limits and use accordingly. I've got a set from HF and love them. But I don't abuse them, I know they're softer than some might be and match the tool/job properly.

If you're the guy who puts cheater pipe on 18" long 1/4" drive breaker bars, then you're probably not going to be happy with anything...

 

[Sneezer]

I have craftsman Wilde ones, and the longer hyper tough Wilde one and they have all held up well. I wouldn't hesitate to rebuy a Wilde rebrand from whatever local outlet. I do prefer the striking cap though as I have used it several times fighting with vehicles.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have plenty of CMan and Masterforce from Menards. I believe they are the same, just different colors.

However, I have been eye balling the Channellock pry bars on some YouTube commercials.

Do I need them ? But in Channellock blue.....

 

[PhantomEB]

Being Canadian, I definitely would go the Tekz strikeable ones from PA.

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

 

[GeoBruin]

Well I put my money where my mouth is and picked up the icon 58" with the 25% off coupon this weekend. I'm long past needing to justify tool purchases with one-off random uses but in this case the timing worked out for shimming my lathe.

It's definitely beefy.

 

[saltwater4life]

Mayhew dominator for sure.

 

[CS454]

Well I put my money where my mouth is and picked up the icon 58" with the 25% off coupon this weekend. I'm long past needing to justify tool purchases with one-off random uses but in this case the timing worked out for shimming my lathe.

It's definitely beefy.

Is it 3/4" shank or 7/8"? My 58" long or whatever 3/4" shank Mac prybar deflected way, way more than my 42" long 7/8" shank guy.

 

[PlanB]

Being Canadian, I definitely would go the Tekz strikeable ones from PA.

It looks they are on sale again at PA

 

[CJM8515]

i have craftsman wilde rebrands, harbor freight, mayhew smaller all metal, cheaper harbor freight crows foot prybar. nothing has failed so far besides the one harbor freight handle didnt like being struck..it crumbled lol.

 

[Shoreline_]

I would go with Snap-On. I have one of each major brand from over the years. To me there is less flex in them than Mayhew

 

[not-required]

Hard handle snap on for sure.

 

[ive]

Hi all.

Still here.

I do value the input of the people on this website as they are hands on folks.

I have an appointment to pick up a snap on hard handled set, which is what I was looking for. Sorry to not clarify.

Thanks for the input all.

 

[winkangrin]

Are we talking about the Richard Tool company that mostly makes painting tools? If so, I had no idea they made pry bars in Canada.

I was scouring the internet but only found a moulding pry bar and a couple lengths of scraper/lever pry bars (10" or 14"). Home Depot says they are made in Canada, but I can't confirm that on Richard's website (there is a "Canada" on them though).

I presume you're saying they once made a broader selection of pry bars though.



I like it when I find a Canadian-made tool. There aren't that many. It's like Gray tools, Rolgear, Richard (although some of the product line is imported) and Picquic. Maybe I'll grab one of these 10" pry bars to pair with the Pic.

Edit: Forgot about Grohmann Knives too.

I bought a Richard pry bar, a 10” straight bar with a beefy yellow handle at Ollie’s, which of course is a closeout liquidator. Never heard of the company before, and you never know if the stuff they sell is **** or not, but since it was only $2.49, so I said what the heck. I got it home where I put it through the paces tearing out a bathroom. That little guy is the toughest prayer I’ve ever used- indestructible, very lightweight. I went back the following week and picked up six others they were liquidating-straight and sourced I think the longest is 20”. Nine cost me more than 9.99. Awesome tools, but I’m pretty sure they got out of that business.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I repair and refurbish machinery and repair cars. The HF pry bars have not failed me yet.

 

[Wamsutta]

I would get all SK with the green handles. Not sure if they're still made though.

 

[ecotec]

I have mostly Mayhew Dominator. A local store sells them. I have a good selection of both the curved and straight tip versions. The price point is very reasonable. I also have Craftsman rebranded Wilde USA (no striking caps) and Snap-on. I think that you can get Wilde USA pretty cheap at Walmart under a house brand. I can’t remember the name, but I have the mini pry bar set from the same brand.
The Snap-on are terrific, but the price is too dear.

 

[ecotec]

I would get all SK with the green handles. Not sure if they're still made though.

I think these are or were Wilde without striking caps. They look just like the Craftsman from about 20 years ago.

 

[lardy1]

Although I despise the company, it's pretty hard to beat the value of WalMart's Hyper-Tough made in USA bars. I wouldn't say they are the equal of Snap-On or even Mayhew but still decent bars at a good price. I just saw their newish 45" version today. I didn't buy it but I'm sure I eventually will.

 

[CGarage]

To me, Pry Bars are disposable tools.

You need a range of choices for prying.

I own a 3 piece set of the Chinese ones from HF and they aren’t bad for light duty use. In fact, they have more “give” to them than the properly hardened pry bars and I think that is sometimes useful and I appreciate the give.

I bought Mayhew and Tekton (US Made) and Walmart USA Hyper Tough (read the labels, Walmart also has a set made in India, and I will stay far away from those).

I think the Walmart HyperTough USA pry bars are very nice. I believe Tekton pry bars are made by Wilde or Mayhew.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Dude, I hate the Wilde ones I got from HJE. The steel is good but the handles ****. I can’t get them clean from all the oils and coolants we use and the vibrations from whacking them all day is killer.

The Snappy pry bars are nice and thin but one of mine is crooked and the handles get massive on the bigger sizes. They do seem quite strong though.

I’m partial to the Matco (Mayhew) bars. I just like the handles better. They are tri-lobed so it’s easier to grasp and the handles are still smaller than their equivalent Snappy peers. I also find them easier to clean.

 

[Callelle]

I've been through Snap Ons, Wilde, Matcos, Mayhews, but I will always go back to my Macs. The handles on them are just the absolute best for my hands.

 

[IndyGarage]

Seems that Wilde, Mayhew and Snap on are the choices of this group in that order from cheapest to most expensive. I've used all three and I would agree with that arrangement. They all work.

I've got a 5 foot Mayhew Dominator that we used as a tow point to pull the ram out of a large hydraulic cylinder with my 11,000 lb forklift. We had to hammer on it with the full weight of the forklift. It didn't bend or break, but it and everything within 30 feet, including me, got a nice hydraulic oil shower when it popped open. So I guess I would recommend it.

I've also got a set of smaller Milwaukees that I use a lot. They are much better than the cheap Harbour Freight set that I had for a few years.

 

[Zewnten]

Ajax, proto, elkind, wilde are all good in my opinion.

I no longer buy mayhew prybars. Their quality is severely lacking. That is the bar piece compared to a drywall square.