S7 Pry Bars - Gauging Interest

Daniel Fairly Knives

Daniel Fairly Knives

Full Time Knifemaker
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Who wants a S7 steel pry bar? I am just seeing if their is interest, if there is enough I'll buy the steel and make them soon.

Information! :cool:

S7 Steel - literally as tough as it gets, S7 is almost off the toughness charts and is used for jackhammer blades! I don't think there is a better steel for pry bars, it is premium material. It makes great blades too but we're talking pry tools here! :D

I have lots of ideas but I'll likely stick to one design.


Here is what I need feedback on...

Who wants one of course!

Length - I'm leaning towards a 5-6" length, does that sound good? just about anything is possible though, I can heat treat up to 18"

Thickness - 1/8" sounds good to me, maybe a beefy 5/16" version too?

1/2" or 3/4" tall... 1" would be nice on a bigger one too


I'm planning on a simple design - pry tip, a lanyard/end hole, maybe a middle hole, no sharpened edge

Finish - Stonewashed! A satin finish is a possibility as well.


Cost - depends on size, I hope to hit a $50 price point.

Let me know what you guys think and this can happen soon! Thanks in advance for the feedback!
 
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I've previously owned an Atwood Wedgie and currently own a prybar by Warren Thomas. I believe the Atwood was about 4" long, a 1/2" across and 1/4 inch thick. I sold it after a few months. It was just too big for easy carry.

The WT is bigger, 6 x 1 x 3/16. It has a pocket clip. As a joke I put it on a dress shirt. It practically turned the pocket inside out. It sits in a drawer and I keep thinking about selling it.

My point is, I wouldn't be interested in the one you described because it's too big. I carry an Atwood Keyton on my key chain and it's the perfect size for everyday carry. And it does well enough when I need a pry tool, which, admittedly, is not often.

If there are enough serious hobbyists and professionals that need a tool as stout as you've described, go for it. But, for most of us, I don't think the pros of the size outweigh the cons. Bottom line: a key chain tool has greater appeal to me.

I'll add that the Wedgie is one of the few Atwood tools that doesn't command a significant premium in the resale market. I know I had difficulty selling mine.

If you put a wedge-shaped tip on your in-process multi-tool, it seems like that would still provide a screwdriver function while giving it some prying capability. Is your multi-tool thick enough to accommodate a wedge tip and pry capability?

Just my 2 cents.
 
I'm in! but can we seriously consider any tool complete without a bottle opener?
 
mr_badexample said:
Sounds like it would make a nice companion to the pocket tool.


Brian
Click to expand...

Thanks, I think they could go well together.

0037ksm said:
I've previously owned an Atwood Wedgie and currently own a prybar by Warren Thomas. I believe the Atwood was about 4" long, a 1/2" across and 1/4 inch thick. I sold it after a few months. It was just too big for easy carry.

The WT is bigger, 6 x 1 x 3/16. It has a pocket clip. As a joke I put it on a dress shirt. It practically turned the pocket inside out. It sits in a drawer and I keep thinking about selling it.

My point is, I wouldn't be interested in the one you described because it's too big. I carry an Atwood Keyton on my key chain and it's the perfect size for everyday carry. And it does well enough when I need a pry tool, which, admittedly, is not often.

If there are enough serious hobbyists and professionals that need a tool as stout as you've described, go for it. But, for most of us, I don't think the pros of the size outweigh the cons. Bottom line: a key chain tool has greater appeal to me.

I'll add that the Wedgie is one of the few Atwood tools that doesn't command a significant premium in the resale market. I know I had difficulty selling mine.

If you put a wedge-shaped tip on your in-process multi-tool, it seems like that would still provide a screwdriver function while giving it some prying capability. Is your multi-tool thick enough to accommodate a wedge tip and pry capability?

Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I'm now thinking possibly thinner than the WT and Atwood (S7 is stronger than Ti), maybe 4" long would work nicely... unless more people want a medium sized one.

The multitool I'm making is 1/8" D2 (super strong) and the one tip will be ground like a screwdriver/pry tip. I'm thinking one of these would be a compliment for it used for bigger jobs.

I can just see the big pry bar hanging out of your pocket with the clip, awesome!

Great information, thanks very much for the input! :thumbup: :thumbup:

buckmaster96 said:
Love the idea great steel for the job
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Thanks! S7 is probably as good as it gets for a pry bar regardless of price, it is so tough.

trkJr said:
I'm in! but can we seriously consider any tool complete without a bottle opener?
Click to expand...

Nope! :D

OK, maybe but this one could be used to pry caps off! Thanks!




Thanks for the input guys!

my thought process... I was thinking more along the lines of a Breacher Bar than a mini pry tool, at least at first... then I decided they were kind of huge at 9," maybe smaller... that is why I thought 6." That is more of a back pocket size, I'm thinking that or a toolbox carry? Mini pry bars would be cool too.

I am somewhat of a minimalist, I like clean simple lines and rely on more work/better fit and finish so things sell. These will be the same way, I want to keep them clean, 100% useful and made from the best steel money can buy.

I seriously lean to the 1/8" thick, with S7 that is as strong as it needs to be.

OK back to input! Thanks again guys!
 
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Lycosa said:
How bout a Ti PB? NO rust.
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You know I like Ti!

I'll eventually make some more, here are some earlier ones in Ti. The next ones will be a little less blingy, lol.

027ot.jpg


028df.jpg
 
Actually, I like the blingy. Looks like raindrops. That's a cool pry tool.

Can't help wondering what a 3" long, narrower and thicker key chain version would look like. Maybe anodized Ti. Maybe Damascus.
 
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0037ksm said:
Actually, I like the blingy. Looks like raindrops. That's a cool pry tool.

Can't help wondering what a 3" long, narrower and thicker key chain version would look like. Maybe anodized Ti. Maybe Damascus.
Click to expand...

Raindrop damascus, holes drilled in the center of each drop of the handle area... gets my heart beating fast just thinking about that! Excellent idea...
 
I kinda have to agree with 0037 on this one. I put a pry/screw driver end on my kiridashi because it makes more sense as an added feature to a tool I will already have than a seperate tool. That being said, if you made a small 3" or less bottle opener/pry bar out of 1/8" or .100" stock and put a magnet on it so I could stick it on the fridge so my wife quits complaining about breaking nails trying to open cans that would likely be used more often! Highly stylized of couse!


-Xander
 
Daniel Fairly Knives said:
Raindrop damascus, holes drilled in the center of each drop of the handle area... gets my heart beating fast just thinking about that! Excellent idea...
Click to expand...


I bet that would look really nice on the grip portion of a naked Damascus Kiridashi. Maybe put some some soft jimping on top for the thumb and finger choil on the bottom, Round the edges on the grip portion a little to make it feel organic. I'd buy one. :) Really, I would. :) :)
 
I'm in for sure and say make it thick!
6"x1"x.25" would be awesome!
Just a simple chisel on one end,hole on the other.
 
Wait! Have you already used up all of the S-7 you had, and I didn't end up with a knife made from S-7!?! How did that happen? Ok, on the subject of pry bars, I have 2 or 3 from County Comm that are 4" long. So I would want one in the 6" range. Not sure if I can commit to one right now. Just had to have some transmission work done on the truck. :grumpy:
 
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Lycosa said:
Daniel- I like the Bling too. Make more man!!
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OK, cool! I like it all!

trey999 said:
I'll vote for less bling. Make something we can hammer on.
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That is the plan on these, stonewash!

fast14riot said:
I kinda have to agree with 0037 on this one. I put a pry/screw driver end on my kiridashi because it makes more sense as an added feature to a tool I will already have than a seperate tool. That being said, if you made a small 3" or less bottle opener/pry bar out of 1/8" or .100" stock and put a magnet on it so I could stick it on the fridge so my wife quits complaining about breaking nails trying to open cans that would likely be used more often! Highly stylized of couse!


-Xander
Click to expand...
Yes my keychain tool will have both, I was thinking of a bigger companion. I like the magnet idea, I make my own dichroic glass sometimes and usually turn the pieces into fridge magnets.

flatblackcapo said:
sounds like a great tool but I just can't see myself buying one.
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OK, thanks for the honest feedback, I appreciate that. :thumbup::thumbup:

mr_badexample said:
Another vote for bling. I was a gang$ta rapper in a previous life so that explains it. ;0)
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Ahh... it all makes sense now, boyeee! :D just kidding! It's funny, I don't like flashy stuff but sometimes when you spend a lot of time on something it turns out that way.

0037ksm said:
I bet that would look really nice on the grip portion of a naked Damascus Kiridashi. Maybe put some some soft jimping on top for the thumb and finger choil on the bottom, Round the edges on the grip portion a little to make it feel organic. I'd buy one. :) Really, I would. :) :)
Click to expand...
OK, I'm listening!

shigawire4sure said:
I'm in for sure and say make it thick!
6"x1"x.25" would be awesome!
Just a simple chisel on one end,hole on the other.
Click to expand...

That sounds cool, I like it. That size would be very handy for heavy duty work.

IMWILSON said:
Wait! Have you already used up all of the S-7 you had, and I didn't end up with a knife made from S-7!?! How did that happen? Ok, on the subject of pry bars, I have 2 or 3 from County Comm that are 4" long. So I would want one in the 6" range. Not sure if I can commit to one right now. Just had to have some transmission work done on the truck. :grumpy:
Click to expand...

Don't worry I have you covered, I have plenty of S7 left! S7 is my favorite steel so it is here to stay, I plan on using up my old stock of random steel and just go to S7, D2, 1084 and maybe a few other steels.

Most of my S7 is in 1.5" wide (1/8" and 5/16") so it is better to buy more stock in 1/2" - 1" tall for these.

6" OK I'm listening, thanks!
 
like the bling,what about a hammered peened(don't know the proper terminology) look?
 
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