Breaching tool recommendations?

S

Skidoosh

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I'm not sure where to fit this question. Mods, please move to where it fits. I'm looking for recommendations on breaching bars, something smaller that can pry and wedge for a door if needed, something not too heavy. Could be something cheap. I live outside the US and sometimes getting out of building you encounter locked doors that impede egress. Maybe just keeping a sledge hammer is a good backup. A halligan would be great but its a bit too bulk to put in a suitcase

The Winkler AF ERT looks great but I'm not sure they are still available or the KBAR master key looks to be discontinued.
 
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I edc this winkler AF ERT. I’ve done some stupid stuff with it in a pinch - it’s a great emergency prybar / hammer that fits in a bag. I had to pry some leaf springs away from an airbag mount that snapped.. Ford Sprinter van we had raised for better clearance.. the welds didn’t hold up very well 😂. Between the Winkler, a leatherman and a decent beater fixed blade ( Esee 4 ) I’ve been able to pry, break or cut through all sorts of stuff.

If you really need to breach doors, walls, trunks etc - Crow bars, flat bars, estwing beater camp axe, and dedicated demolition bars are the ticket. Leverage and durability seem to be important ( no need to spend $700 on a breaching hatchet unless you want to ).

* I’m also no expert on the subject.. I have done quite a bit of demolition in my life though ( the RMJ Shrike / eagle talon / Kestral are great destroyers of things ).
 
19-3ben 19-3ben was nerding out on this the other day, though I think it was more for car-sized emergency equip for when he drives up to an emergency or gets a call while out and about. He likes forced entry tools more than most. Not sure if he's active here anymore or not.
 
bikerector said:
19-3ben 19-3ben was nerding out on this the other day, though I think it was more for car-sized emergency equip for when he drives up to an emergency or gets a call while out and about. He likes forced entry tools more than most. Not sure if he's active here anymore or not.
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LOL. Ben is the nerdiest breacher nerd I know. Someday I want to see his entire collection all together. 😁

CountyComm also makes a flat ti breacher bar if you just want something simple, easy to pack and tough.
 
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Hammer67 said:
LOL. Ben is the nerdiest breacher nerd I know. Someday I want to see his entire collection all together. 😁

CountyComm also makes this ti breacher bar if you just want something simple, easy to pack and tough:
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For sure, I think he owns everything from Countycomm at this point.

As a note, I'm not sure if they're a vendor/supporter of BladeForums, so posting a direct link may not be permitted. I would edit out the link and just reference them in your post, which I think is still okay.
 
I also have some Rogan pry bars, and one from CountyComm that has been used properly.

If you can get Rogan (they're on the website that sells everything these days), that would work.

Otherwise, I would suggest having a little talk with your local fire station, and see what they use or recommend. Maybe they just pull the hooligan bar off the truck for everything, but I doubt it?

Stanley Tools has a UK website, which seems to be their European portal. I recommend the Fatmax Flat Steel Wonder Bar (in yellow), if only for the name!

Get yourself a metal cutting saw and hack the curved end off it. Make the cut flat or slightly rounded so you have a place to land the hammer. Grind/sand that cut until you're happy with how smooth and hand-friendly it is.

If you really want to go for the bargain option, lurk your local rummage/"antique"/reuseable stores, flea markets, estate sales, etc. Carpentry bars like the Stanley I just mentioned are all over the place, and I imagine they change hands regularly in the rest of the world, too. Find one, treat it to the same metal saw as you would the new one. If you really want to go fancy, get somebody to make up a leg sheath for it so you can wear it just above the top of your shoe (concealed in your trousers, of course), so it's out of the way until you need it. Be prepared for somebody to make a joke about you being happy to see them.
 
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In Florida, and I'm sure in other locations as well, having a 'burglary tool' on your person could be an issue if stopped for some reason. Fl. law specifically says 'with the intent to use for burglary or trespass' but this often winds up to the discretion of the officer involved.
 
91bravo said:
Milspin also makes a door breaching tool.

View attachment 3102494 Stanley makes a melee type breacher/destroyer FUBAR type bar, but it’s big.

View attachment 3102490
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Good golly gosh is the Fubar big! I'll try to remember to get mine from the car later and post some pictures.

The problem is that pictures don't really describe the problem. It's not just big, it's awkward. The jaw shape means it carries like an axe, and it weighs more than one! Even some places here in 'Murica, tucking it into a dedicated sheath (which is the only practical way to carry one), the officer would stop you to enquire about your intentions. It's the most "safety yellow" you can imagine!

If you really, really need to get into or out of a building right now, it's an uncompromising demolition tool. For everyday carry, I would argue some compromise is necessary.
 
Shorttime said:
Good golly gosh is the Fubar big! I'll try to remember to get mine from the car later and post some pictures.

The problem is that pictures don't really describe the problem. It's not just big, it's awkward. The jaw shape means it carries like an axe, and it weighs more than one! Even some places here in 'Murica, tucking it into a dedicated sheath (which is the only practical way to carry one), the officer would stop you to enquire about your intentions. It's the most "safety yellow" you can imagine!

If you really, really need to get into or out of a building right now, it's an uncompromising demolition tool. For everyday carry, I would argue some compromise is necessary.
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They do go smaller.
 
91bravo said:
Maratac makes a Hooligan door breacher in 3 different sizes.

View attachment 3102453
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I think 4 sizes now.
 
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