Halligan tools, wrecking bars for urban survival

SilverFoxKnows

SilverFoxKnows

Joined
Sep 25, 2002
Messages
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Here 's one I don't remember seeing. We devote much time to knives (obviously), flashlights, fire starting, boots, bags and bikes. But nothing on crow bars. Are there not enough city folk, like me, to seriously consider a full sized wrecking bar for bug out/bug in? Is it a given that everybody has one? Are there enough SAR folks that everyone has a Halligan or hook of some kind?

I have a Craftsman 24"/ 3lb. wrecking bar that would probably serve me better than my biggest knife in a disaster (civil unrest/ earthquake/ wild fire evac). It didn't cost an arm and leg but gives me far more leverage than any knife I own. But being the gear head I am (otherwise I wouldn't be here) I've been looking at crash axes and halligan bars as possible disaster gear. Are they worth it for an addition to my BOB? Good to have in the trunk of the car? Can any SAR personel weigh in on the gear they sell on various fire fighter web sites?

Frank
 
An Himilayan Imports Chiruwa Ang Chola is warranteed againt breakage when used as a pry bar...
 
The Stanley Fatmaxx crowbar/hammer/axe tool is pretty cool. I have a small crowbar (3lbs) in my toolbox in the truck.
 
FatMax's have dropped in price. Small is $20 and large is $30. I bought the small one but haven't had a chance to wreck anything yet. ;)
 
I have an Estwing PC450 http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=10200 that is usually kept in our bedroom. Saying we could use it to punch a hole through the wall to create a means of egress between wall studs to the outside isn't as much a testament to the bar, but an indication as to how affordable our house was.

Anyhoo, it is a handy size bar. And I have used it for the purposes it was intended for, too. :D


But for awesme wrecking toys, I always, always wanted to get my hands on a Paratech Biel Tool or Buster Tool: http://www.paratech-inc.com/#/Forcible Entry Tools/Personal/Biel Tool/
 
I grabbed that small Stanley FUBAR tool for $20 a few weeks ago and it rides in my truck.

I need to grab a 2' crowbar and throw that in there also...

If I ever get into a car crash, I'll have about 300 lbs of tools and other items fly from the back of my Blazer into the back of my head...got to do something about that..
 
I think there is a maker on here who makes a variety of crowbars. Bushe or something.
 
Bushman5 said:
FATMAX EXTREME wrecking bars will serve you well.

https://www.homedepot.ca/wcsstore/HomeDepotCanada/images/catalog/55-099_4.jpg
Click to expand...
The Kent or Home Depot here had the full sized fubars 50% off a couple of months ago.
I already had the tool box sized one so i passed.
Now they don't seem to carry the big ones anymore.I should have bought one anyway.
They were around 3-4 feet long and VERY heavy.
Aha here it is!
http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/...Ntx=mode+matchall&recN=0&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber
Sucker was on sale for $54 when i was looking at them.
 
SilverFoxKnows said:
I've been looking at crash axes and halligan bars as possible disaster gear. Are they worth it for an addition to my BOB? Good to have in the trunk of the car? Can any SAR personel weigh in on the gear they sell on various fire fighter web sites?

Frank
Click to expand...

I think it would be a wise investment for the vehicle kit. Depending on where you work, a smaller more inexpensive option like the Fubar would be a big asset at work if you were in a location prone to earthquakes or other natural disasters.

They are typically heavy, specifically wrecking tools used for busting through drywall, ripping 2x4's, prying, hammering, providing leverage, breaking glass. etc.

I've always like the Paratech Biel Tool:

ParatechBeilTool.jpg


These are typically tools that aren't used often (unless you are a volunteer SAR type), but would sure be nice to have one in an emergency.

Most inexpensive is the simple Stanley Fubar, but they weigh more than a hammer.

ROCK6
 
i just bought a very large pry bar maybe about 3 feet long, it is a beast you would not wat to carry it around but in a vehicle it would be a very capable extrication tool.
alex
 
I seem to recall that some people trapped in the World Trade Center on 911 had to hack their way through sheetrock walls in order to escape. The walls were double or triple layers of 3/4" wallboard. I think one person used a broken squeegee to hack his way through.

Someplace on the web there is a company selling lightweight titanium crowbars. Very strong.
 
I have about a dozen Stanley Wonder Bars, that I got free after rebate a from a home improvement center. I keep one in my BOB, and one in each vehicle. It's not much, but it's something.

I also have a Mini Fubar in my truck. Both the standard one and the mini seem very well built, and I have a lot of confidence in these tools.

I am glad this thread came up, I wasn't even aware of the Fat Max Extreme Fubar...now I must have one!

Another item that I added to my BOB is a Channel Lock brand fencing pliers. I personnaly know that you can remove a padlock hasp with one of these...at least if the owner uses the included screws for installation. By the way the owner was me...I lost the key to the lock on a shed.:(

One thing worth mentioning. Carrying these in your car could get you in trouble in some localities. They can be considered burglary tools, so be sure you have a good explaination why they are in your vehicle.
 
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I've always carried a crowbar/wrecking bar in my car, since my first car.

When working as a network engineer, traveling around the country, my big laptop and tool bag is never more than a few steps away from me. It has the usual tools of the computer nerd, plus things that might come in handy in emergencies:

Paracord
Good quality screwdriver and socket set that won't bend or lose their tips if used hard
Big pliers/wire cutters
Adjustable 8" wrench
14" power hacksaw blade
And finally... my prybar: a Busse ASH-1!

That toolbag weighs a bit, but I wouldn't be without it considering that I could be in any building, on any floor, often in out of the way rooms, some of them with automated locking and lock-down systems. Saves on gym membership fees as well.

I sure like the sound of a titanium crowbar though.
 
The titanium crowbars are cool, but get ready for sticker shock. Stanley is now making the Vaughan WonderBar in at least two sizes. Very useful, and not all that heavy. Since the steel is flat, the hook is thinner and easier to drive into small gaps than the typical hook of a larger octagon-stock crowbar. And if you turn it sideways, you can chop through drywall in the same way you'd use a knife or machete.
 
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