Help identifying a tool

Aruton · October 6, 2016

I'm trying to find the manufacture of a beloved tool that my father owns. He's had it for many years and the manufacturer or model number wore off long ago.

It's a high carbon steel pry bar/scraper that tappers down to a very fine edge on one end with a ~90 degree pry section on the other end. This gives it a degree of flexibility that is very nice when working with drywall and other narrow openings. Helps prevent damage. I've attached some photos and would be very grateful if anyone could provide information about the origins of this tool and where to find something similar.

Thanks,

jeffmcmillan · October 6, 2016

That was almost certainly custom ground by your father or whoever he got it from. I can't think of any brand of flatbars that was painted red anyway.

I actually haven't seen a flatbar that was ground with anything better than a rough 45 degree bevel and nothing close to sharp unless it's done by hand. Just pick something with good steel and go at it with a grinder or file. You probably want a belt grinder or sander for that long bevel though.

PH1 · October 7, 2016

I'm not sure what brand it is. But I have this similar mini pry bar from Swedish high quality brand Hultafors and I can see your tool still has some red paint on it too, so it could be an old Hultafors too. Not sure if Hultafors is sold in the US though, but otherwise you can always order online from Europe. Hultafors makes knives and axes too among many other tools, so they are used to sharp edges.

http://www.hultafors.com/hand-tools/pry-wrecking-bars/wrecking-bars/wrecking-bar-steel-108-mini/

Wrecking Bar Steel 108 MINI

A small, useful steel 7.5” [19 cm] wrecking bar that can be used to pull small nails, remove wood strips or to open cans.

Has three different functions for pulling out nails.
Thin contact surfaces make it easy to use in narrow spaces.

h0406827023_wrecking-bar-steel-108-mini_

PH1 · October 7, 2016

Stanley makes a 7” mini pry par a bit similar to the Hultafors, but the edges aren't nearly as sharp as you can see in the pictures:

7 in Wonder Bar® II Pry Bar http://www.stanleytools.com/products/hand-tools/demolition-tools/pry-claw-bars/7-in-wonder-bar-ii-pry-bar/55-045

Stanley does however make this too:

9” Scraper Bar http://www.stanleytools.com/en-us/products/hand-tools/demolition-tools/pry-claw-bars/9-in-scraper-bar/stht55530

Also sold in a 5 piece set:

5 Piece Pry Bar Set http://www.stanleytools.com/en-us/products/hand-tools/demolition-tools/pry-claw-bars/5-piece-pry-bar-set/stht55139

Aruton · October 7, 2016

Thanks for the replies so far. Excellent stuff!

I double checked with my dad and he didn't grind it down. The distinctive thing about the tool is the thinness of the blade which makes it perfect for scraping and especially useful for removing window and door casings. We have both looked online and in local stores for a pry bar or scraper with a similar edge and have yet to find one that has that special blend of thinness and just the right amount of flexibility.

The tool is so useful that I'm a little surprised someone doesn't make one just like it.

Nordraw · October 7, 2016

No matter who made it just use and enjoy. Are you looking to buy a new one?

Aruton · October 7, 2016

1 hour ago, Nordraw said:

No matter who made it just use and enjoy. Are you looking to buy a new one?

The fear is that it will someday wear out or break. I would love to have a spare.

I did some more research and did find a couple tools that look very similar, so I'm optimistic that one of them will be what I'm looking for.

RIchard Lever Bar Scraper

WigWagWorkshop · October 7, 2016

This one looks similar too - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dasco-Pro-Pry-Bar-Set-3-Piece-91/202585548

Hugh Jass · October 7, 2016

I have the Dasco set listed above, it doesn't have the continuous taper but is thin with a higher angle edge. Not the strongest quality of steel but it is a useful tool. I've bent the crap out of mine near the head and still use it for casings and the like. I recommend it for a backup if only because it is cheap and you won't feel bad abusing it.

jeffmcmillan · October 7, 2016

23 minutes ago, Hugh Jass said:

I have the Dasco set listed above, it doesn't have the continuous taper but is thin with a higher angle edge. Not the strongest quality of steel but it is a useful tool. I've bent the crap out of mine near the head and still use it for casings and the like. I recommend it for a backup if only because it is cheap and you won't feel bad abusing it.

I think quality of a lot of these has gone down, because I was going to pick up a set at home depot and not a single one had a decent grind. Do you have an older set?

I wouldn't have a problem grinding a new one, but the lack of a decent factory grind tends to indicate cheap steel.

Hugh Jass · October 7, 2016

1 minute ago, jeffmcmillan said:

I think quality of a lot of these has gone down, because I was going to pick up a set at home depot and not a single one had a decent grind. Do you have an older set?

I wouldn't have a problem grinding a new one, but the lack of a decent factory grind tends to indicate cheap steel.

Mine is probably 6 years old but looks identical to the HD set. Make no mistake mine is abused. Seen plenty of hammer and prybar action that I wouldn't expect anything that thin to survive. I tend to regrind my edges anyhow because they get dinged up pretty good hitting nails and stuff along the leading edge. Mine is probably a 1/4in shorter than when I bought it.

jeffmcmillan · October 7, 2016

1 minute ago, Hugh Jass said:

Mine is probably 6 years old but looks identical to the HD set. Make no mistake mine is abused. Seen plenty of hammer and prybar action that I wouldn't expect anything that thin to survive. I tend to regrind my edges anyhow because they get dinged up pretty good hitting nails and stuff along the leading edge. Mine is probably a 1/4in shorter than when I bought it.

I guess I'll pick one up and regrind it. Worth a shot for $10.

Try one of these for the times you need to bang on a pry bar. I even use mine to hammer on other pry bars from time to time.

Hugh Jass · October 7, 2016

1 minute ago, jeffmcmillan said:

I guess I'll pick one up and regrind it. Worth a shot for $10.

Try one of these for the times you need to bang on a pry bar. I even use mine to hammer on other pry bars from time to time.

I have one that's blue with a flared out pry end that I use for my 3lb sledge. That thing is strong as hell.

PH1 · October 8, 2016

8 hours ago, Aruton said:

RIchard Lever Bar Scraper

You can buy both the the 7½" and 10" Richard at a number of Canadian online stores and they are quite inexpensive. It looks like this is the tool you have.

Richard US-7½" Lever Bar Scraper

CAD7.27 http://bcfasteners.com/shop/richard-us-7-12-lever-bar-scraper/

CAD8.25 http://allglassparts.com/prybar-scraper-7-1-2/

CAD10.63 http://cf-t.com/product/richard-us-7-12-7-12-level-bar-scraper/

1_US_7_1_2_800x533__49268.1448052617.128