Prybaby

Will York

Will York

Joined
Jan 21, 2000
Messages
8,888
I was caught working away from my toolbox yesterday, and when I couldn't quite get a claw hammer beneath the heads of some finish nails I needed to remove, my train of thought first took me to the Carson Stellite M4 in my back pocket. I winced -- did NOT want to go there.

Then I remembered the Prybaby in my loose change pocket! Hot diggity--the perfect tool. Popped those puppies out in a heartbeat. Also opened a couple bottles of Martinelli's on New Year's Eve.

Peter Atwood is making these (see his post below for contact info). They are 3 3/8" long by 1" wide of S30v and about 1/8" thick, actually a little thicker. The grind is "chisel" on the top, flat on the bottom, which offers a great fulcrum for prying with either end. Basically a nail puller, wire stripper, bottle opener, flat blade screwdriver and general pry-tool.

When I first received mine Dec. 29, I thought it was even beefier than necessary, but it only weighs in at about 1.5 oz. on my postal scale. I carry it in the same pocket with my loose change, and never know it's there. And it will obviously do with gusto just about everything I can remember doing with a pocketknife that either bent, rolled, chipped or cracked a blade. Helluva nice little insurance package -- especially when carrying a $500+ folder!

(edited to remove superfluous information)
 
You can see from the above that the tool "tapers" toward the ends like a chisel grind. It is flat on the bottom. This makes prying more efficient, as it forms a fulcrum to provide leverage. Here's the "bottom" side:
 
Will, nice review. I agree you that it's a great little tool. I've been carrying mine for a few months now and found it very usefull. Just watch out if you stick you had in your pocket quickly the prying end is sharp. Peter is one hell of a guy to work with.

Brian
 
Originally posted by Saberman
Just watch out if you stick you had in your pocket quickly the prying end is sharp.
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Brian-

Thanks for the nice words. I can see where the prying end, if it happened to be sitting in your pocket at just the wrong angle when you put your hand in, could give you a little scratch. But it's certainly no sharper than some of my keys! Always pays to be careful, though -- good tip.

Will
 
I keep hoping Peter will start making the Prybaby mini again. The same but smaller. Neat little tool.

Rob
 
Rob-

I could be wrong, but I think mine is a mini. I know he makes a larger version.

Will
 
rev_jch,
Email Peter and ask about being put on a list if he makes anymore. He had a lot of good feedback from the last batch. I think he'll do run another sometime (not soon though).

Will,
Not sharp, but it can sure get your attension if your thinking about it :eek: I don't think he's making the larger version anymore.

Brian
 
Originally posted by WILL YORK
I could be wrong, but I think mine is a mini. I know he makes a larger version.
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Yes, your prybaby is the mini. The larger version looked like yours, but with about an extra 2.5" of handle. One side of the handle is red G10 and the other is a fine grit DMT diamond sharpener.
 
So is Peter making the Mini again? I emailed him at the end of October and he said he didn't really have plans to make them any more.

Thanks,

Rob
 
I liked the idea too, so I made one for myself out of that free piece of talonite that I received a while back (That talonite is really tough to drill through). Mine is 2 1/4" long and 1" wide, and I put a bevel on the small "bottle cap arm" that angles from the edge toward the prybar. This gives me a thinner prybar also, while still serving as an opener.
 
Thanks for the kind words all! :)

I'm no longer making the large but will probably continue to do small batches of the minis as time permits. And yes, I sometimes make even "minier" minis, the one on my keychain is only 2 3/4" long and still does a great job on paint cans and microbrews......;)
 
Originally posted by Peter Atwood
Thanks for the kind words all! :)

I'm no longer making the large but will probably continue to do small batches of the minis as time permits. And yes, I sometimes make even "minier" minis, the one on my keychain is only 2 3/4" long and still does a great job on paint cans and microbrews......;)
Click to expand...


I have never seen one of these! How much are they and how do I get on the list for one?
 
I'm figuring 3 to 4 weeks. I have too much to do in the next two weeks or so (regular job) so my shop time is going to be almost nonexistent. :(
 
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