Mini pry tools?

T

Txknifefan

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Jul 9, 2011
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I have been looking at what kind of mini pry bars are available. I've been thinking about getting one to keep on the key chain. I've found the Widgy pry bars and one that Gerber makes that looks more like a bottle opener. What do you like or carry for a mini pry tool open to any suggestions?
 
I've got the Atwood prybaby. Its very heavy duty; you'd never be able to bend it with the force that you could apply to it since its so short. The bottle opener works well and it does have a "screwdriver" on one end and a nail puller on the other.
 
On the upper end, Peter Atwood makes very nice tools. I've got one of his Superbugs on my keychain; I'd say that's my primary carry. If you like several functions, many of his will fit the bill (pry bar, bottle opener, 1/4" hex driver, wrench, etc). For similar but slightly lower end, check out PocketToolX...their Piranha is pretty nice.

You can get more specialized (like, screwdrivers and bits; or a mini-leatherman-type; etc); but if you want something like you described (in the same vein as the Gerber Shard or Artifact), where it's built around a prybar concept but has other functions, those two have a decent selection.

A couple other lone possibilities - Boker's VAT (Vox Access Tool) and Schrades Titanium Pry Tool both fit that bill. You also have a number of custom makers; check out the EDC Forums; those guys are pretty knowledgeable.

Sorry to not give links; but I don't want to deal spot improperly (several of the sites are also sale sites). But you can PM me if you have any questions.
 
I have an Atwood. It is a Chigger and I love it. I use it all the time. I got it a while ago for a decent price. But they are getting very popular. Good luck even finding what you like, even if money is no issue. The prices are insane as well.

But ... it is pretty f'ing awesome.

Some other decent pry tools out there, but no one, in my opinion, makes them as well as Peter.
 
Navy CUI 2001 if you don't want to waste too much money for a small piece of metal:
IMG_2504ke.jpg
 
Not really key chain friendly, but very kit friendly is the Vaughan mini pry bar. Only slightly bigger than a widgy and a lot more prying power.
 
I have a JDR Makemake, it's a Ti bottle opener, prybar, flat head screwdriver. I got mine a while back, Ti was cheaper. It is very well made, and these are very similar to Atwood's style.
I also have the Brewser, by PocketToolX, it's okay, not as functional of a bottle opener as the Makemake. The Brewser is still eaiser to use than the Gerber Shard, as anything.

I use the Brewser to get mud out of my boots more than anything else, sometimes as a flathead screwdriver.
 
I second the Atwoods. A G3 Prybaby would be a good first piece. That Navy CUI is a complete rip-off of Peter's prybaby...
 
GSDNPWC said:
I second the Atwoods. A G3 Prybaby would be a good first piece. That Navy CUI is a complete rip-off of Peter's prybaby...
Click to expand...

+1. Also, you might want to check out this review:

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=31489.0

Also, don't look at it as "wasting" money. That's Peter's artwork, and he is very good at it. If all you're looking for is function and don't want to spend a lot; then you can go with a Gerber Shard and get the function. But think about the fact that the Navy CUI is a blatant copy (slightly undersized) of Peter's work.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Not really key chain friendly, but very kit friendly is the Vaughan mini pry bar. Only slightly bigger than a widgy and a lot more prying power.
Click to expand...

+1 on the Vaughan. Great little tool. I've been thinking about making a small belt sheath for it.

The Skyline gives you some scale for size.

 
I'll be honest--knife blades on pry bars wig the hell out of me. Doesn't matter if it's covered by a sheath! :eek:
 
Yeah the CRKT one scares me as well with it's large razor blade on one end and a pry bar on the other. I saw the Gerber one with the hobby knife in the handle and read several reviews of pierced and bleeding hands. I am looking for another tool for EDC but cannot make up my mind. A pry bar? Pliers/Mulitool? Medic scissors? I kinda think the county comm 3/4 sized eod bar is cool, but I haven't really found a use for it. If it were made out of titanium, I might carry it more. I have used a piece a crap pry bar a few times that I bought at walmart and keep in my glovebox. Or is it? Damn I took it out sometime and forgot to put it back.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Not really key chain friendly, but very kit friendly is the Vaughan mini pry bar. Only slightly bigger than a widgy and a lot more prying power.
Click to expand...
I took a vaughan mini pry bar cut it the length of an Altoids box . rounded the cut end off ,used a 3/16th masonary bit to drill a lanyard hole in it. It rides under the paracord on my altoid tin first aid kit tha I e.d.c
 
I went to sears got a mini pry bar (looked liked a Vaughan) for $3.00. I cut the curved end off drilled a hole put it on my key chain.
 
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