Crescent has come out with a new indexing prying tool that’s designed for professional and DIY demolition, renovation, and prying tasks – the Bull Bar (model number DKB44X). It features a forked prying bar that provides balanced lifting forces on both sides of a nail.
This is presumably where the Bull Bar name came from – the prying head looks to be in the shape of the two horns on a mature bull’s head.
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Both prying blades have teeth that dig in and grip the edge of boards to decrease slippage. There’s also a strong nail puller in the center that can remove ring shank nails and longer nails that might be extra stubborn to remove.
I had to look up what ring shank nails are. They’re those nails that have thread-like ridges all around the shaft that make them even tougher to remove than ordinary smooth-shanked nails. All nails are designed for permanent installation, but ring shank nails seem to be designed for even greater strength and retention.
The Crescent Bull Bar has a heavy duty 44-inch knurled handle that can provide plenty of leverage.
The prying head can pivot and lock in place, enabling users to find an angle that works best for them. The round portion of the indexing head can be used as a cam and point of leverage, allowing users to rock the tool for easier operation.
Crescent says that the indexing head does away with the need for constant repositioning, as one would need to do with a traditional pry bar.
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The forked design also helps the Crescent Bull Bar reach around cross beams. Instead of trying to jam a single-bladed prying tool between boards, the Bull Bar works from around the nail on both sides.
Here’s the indexing head in action. There’s no way this angle could be achieved with any other non-indexing prying tool that we’re familiar with.
And here’s that nail puller in action.
Crescent says that the Bull Bar will mean faster and cleaner board removal, all while requiring less user effort to get the job done. Damage to boards should be minimized, which is good news for anyone looking to reclaim or reuse pulled boards.
While Bull Bar seems like an appropriate name for the tool, I would have gone with The Pitchfork. If you watch the promo video, embedded below, you’ll see what I mean.
Price: $144.57 (MSRP), $95 (on Amazon)
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I was already intrigued by the press materials and product images, but Crescent’s video makes the Bull Bar look even more appealing:
Benoit
While this design is similar to the Gutster, I’m worried by the indexing feature of this pry bar though. Is it strong enough to resist the force applied while prying? I would be curious to see how it’s constructed inside.
fred
Looks interesting
When I was retiring – we bought a few new pry bars called “Duckbill Deck Wrecker” – and were in the process of trying them out. They’re still available on Amazon – where they get good reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/UFPI-LBR-Treated-Duckbill-Wrecker/dp/B003F6TLYM
Tyler
This reminds me of Izzy Swan’s pallet pal that he put videos out on awhile ago. The Crescent bar is a little more featured but also has the shortcoming of not working in tight quarters.
Clear Vue is now producing a steel version of his bar called the Eizzy Bar Pro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWlisIwtxbY
At any rate, any of these tools can definitely make quick work of a once tedious and laborious job.
adam
ring shank nails suck!! At least when you are pulling them out. Our plumber put up pex without insulating it first, without asking first (and everyone of them should if they have ever tried insulating after the fact), so I went back and had to essentially hang from my hammer to pull the grey pipe clamp’s ring shank out. I even did a pull up on one. They are tough f’ers
Jason. W
Does any one have any good floor removal tools? Something for hardwood floors. right now my boss buys roofing shovels for it….but I’ve broken or bent 3 of them recently. I need something stronger
Stuart
Stanley Fubar demo bar comes to mind.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/stanley-fubar-demolition-bar/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=180&v=djlRKKUcm4E
fred
Benoit (see above) mentioned “The Gutster” – they have 2 versions – one with wheels – that we used for floor rip out and found to be a back saver
Chip
We tear out decking (5\4 and 2×6 ) and the Decker wrecker does an amazing job,…for $70?on amazon.
We use a separate cam type nail puller for nails.
The problem with pulling nails are, heads breaking off ……and the typical v puller doesn’t like a head less nail.
Well built decking that lasts ,without nail heads wiggling their way to toe stubbing…… requires spiral nails,or ring shank .
Regular nails hold with the heads only,the shanks of spiral\ring can hold a board with a partial head…..or no head at all.
I can see this working well as a nail puller for 20d and larger (old barns etc).
As for saving flooring go slow with a thin bar,good luck!
Sorry for the looong Country boy dissertation ¡
Rw Cawthorne
Not long enough 44” to short, l’m 6 ‘ 6”
Mark
Hello I just used the bull bar great tool demolished deck 16×30 one person 3 hours index not a problem I was sceptical but no problem a little pricey in Canada ?? on sale 117 bucks
Steve Towle
Where did you get your’s?
FRANKLIN PIERCE
I just bought one of these. Started taking my deck apart and realized that any other way that I could have used was going to be heart wrenching. With the nail puller it was a snap when needed. I cannot believe I may have thought to use a hammer and pry bard to do the job. Buy it and save your life!!!!