Tekton recently launched new mini pry bars, and I immediately thought they could be useful.
A few days later, I struggled to pry a stuck rear wiper blade off my car for replacement, using different sizes of slotted screwdrivers before finally a multi-bit driver insert was narrow enough to do the trick.
I have chip lifters and plastic spudgers, and mini scrapers, but the Tekton mini pry bars looks to complement all of that.
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Do I know what these will be used for or on? Not a clue. But the answer to “would these have been useful and convenient in the past?” is “yes, many times.” That sounds like a clear justification to me.
Here’s what I ordered – the 3pc 5/32″ mini pry bar set with straight, 30° angled, and 50° angled tips, the 1/4″ straight mini pry bar, and a stubby screwdriver with reversible bit.
There are 2 sizes of pry bars, 5/32″ and 1/4″, referring to the shaft size, with each available with the aforementioned straight, 30°, and 50° tips.
I feel that for my needs the 5/32″ pry bars would work well, with the 1/4″ possibly coming in handy as a replacement for the types of tasks I might misuse a slotted screwdriver for.
Uh-oh, I’m now realizing that maybe the 1/4″ angled pry bars would be good too. Maybe next time, but for now I’m feeling good about not getting the entire 6pc set.
Tekton is selling all of the mini pry bars individually, in 3pc like-size sets, a 4pc set with all of the angled tip pry bars, and the 6pc set shown above with one of everything.
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They also have a huge set that also includes all of their picks. We’ll be talking more about Tekton’s picks soon – they sent over a sampling of the blunt-tip models that I hope to unpack and start using soon.
I needed a $1 filler to get free shipping. Rather than pick up a screwdriver bit or similar, I went with a stubby screwdriver handle reversible Phillips #2 and slotted 1/4″ bit.
I’d rather spent $6 on a screwdriver than $5 on shipping.
This cross-section shows a 2″ deep recess.
Tekton sells different bits, and I’m hoping it can work with longer power-style screwdriver bits as well. I guess I’ll see. And if not, I’ll use this with the Tekton multi-bit screwdriver I bought a while back, or maybe some of the other ball detent-compatible screwdriver bits I have around.
I feel very good about Tekton these days.
I placed a larger order with them earlier this month, and it might be some time before I discuss those tools in review or other content. The same might happen here too, and so I thought maybe you’d find a quick rundown of today’s purchase interesting.
At the least, it saves me from having to keep separate notes to remember the reasoning behind different purchases.
Jared
Those do look handy.
I’ve got some mini pry bars from… PQY I think. Just a random 3-letter company on Amazon (there’s lots of different ones, all apparently selling the same thing). I use them all the time – but I might have to try the beefier-looking 1/2″ versions Tekton is selling.
JR Ramos
These pry bars are fantastic. I bought both of the 50° when they released them with the 5/32″ tasked mostly for the pop-out body rivet that are everywhere these days. Had to very slightly reduce the width and blunted it a little but it really works a treat. I got the 30° later when I discovered the shallower angle was necessary for getting to some of those recessed rivets in wheel wells without removing the wheel. Ended up buying the new Vim handy grabber rivet tool thing, too, but that probably won’t see as much use as the simple pry bar. Got the 1/4″ straight when they released it and it’s great – quite handy for separating things like thermostat housings and small gasketed joints.
The picks are great, too, every bit as good as the Ullman ones and way better than any of the cheapie China or Taiwan (such as Tekton’s previous picks) versions. Handles are great but honestly I wouldn’t mind if they shrank them a little in both length and width, but no complaints really.
Your regular driver bits won’t fit into that stubby shaft well enough to be secure but it’ll work of course. The PB Swiss stubby bit handle is the ticket there – really precise fit (remarkably so) plus a strong magnet, much better. I tried a lot of stubby holders and the PB Swiss beat them all for fit and lack of wiggle…often use it with a Rapidaptor. Well worth the money there.
JR Ramos
Link to that Vim widget: https://vimtools.com/product/v232/
fred
I have no basis for comparison of stuff out of Vim (Durston Mfg.) compared to other auto mechanics brands – but they sure do seem to offer new looking items on a more regular basis than some other vendors.
These flex heads caught my eye recently:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vim-tools-parts/6-piece-12-point-nano-flex-offset-ratcheting-attachment-set-3-8-drive/nora150xl~vim/
fred
Last year, I bought a pair from Lang Tools. They also seem OK
https://www.harryepstein.com/products/lang-2-piece-pocket-pry-bar-set-853-06-2st
Stuart
That made me realize I bought a similar Lisle set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQCBS38M/?tag=toolguyd-20 in mid-2023 that I must have promptly misplaced.
jake
I recall others recommending the PB Swiss stubby bit handle. Do you know of a good source for the PB Swiss tools?
fred
I recall having bought a scarce few PB Swiss items from 3 sources:
1) Tool Lady
2) DRPD
3) Haus of Tools
I don’t recall problems with these 3 vendors – but I’m not sure that any of them distinguished themselves. Stuart may have a better perspective. Some comments on Garage Journal seem to say that Tool Lady may not be as good as they once were – but my last PB Swiss purchase was in 2012 – so I’m not a reliable source for up-to-date info.
Stuart
The original Tool Lady, Barbara, was awesome and passionate about the business. After she passed away, her daughter took the reins. I had very few interactions with her, and that was close to 10 years ago. Apparently Rachel sold the business to a new couple.
Count on Tools runs a large store. I ordered a lot from them in the past, and things always went well, but it always felt like they weren’t well-optimized for online ordering. They seem better set up for B2B rather than B2C.
I had one email exchange with the person from DRPD, with my eyes set on testing them out as a reliable source to point ToolGuyd folks to. I had good feelings from them, but I also don’t think they’re optimized for online tool sales. I have yet to place my test order.
I’m not very familiar with Haus of Tools at all. I talked with them a bit last year and was scared away by user reviews on Facebook.
I have since seen a lot more negativity on Reddit and elsewhere.
They might be fine for individual orders, but I tend to vet retailers as potential ToolGuyd recommendations.
Count on Tools would be my first go-to, and I’d be open to trying DRPD.
There’s also PB Swiss via Amazon, with the storefront’s address matching the brand’s USA office in Chicago. If that’s accurate, it could be a good default source. https://www.amazon.com/s?me=A2JKD4111IRP9C&tag=toolguyd-20
Matt S
Just my experience with these retailers:
I’ve ordered from DRPD several times and they have been great. Everything is carefully packed and I like that they take their own product photos. I received a couple items that had defects, emailed them about it, they sent me replacements. During sales they have fairly good US pricing on some of the brands they carry (always shop around though).
I had thought that online sales was their whole thing, earlier this year they posted about expanding to a new warehouse.
Haus of Tools I’ve ordered from a few times with no issues. Be mindful of the little “extended handling may be required” text though. That means they don’t have stock and you’ll be waiting for a backorder or special order and it could be months. They don’t really communicate this either. To their credit they shipped the in-stock items immediately, some vendors make you wait until they have everything.
Tool Lady and Count on Tools / pbtools.us I think I’ve ordered from once each, all I can say is I ordered the stuff and received the stuff.
mark
I second Matt s’ experience above. Haus of tools’ note about extended handling felt a little misleading or ineffective to me. it’s really like “out of stock” or “will dropship unknown eta” it feels like. DRPD has been smooth for ordering & has good prices on pb swiss stuff. their pb swiss bit sets that come in a case are really nice.
Stuart
@Matt,
What I mean is that I get they feeling they were a custom bike shop that transitioned to tool sales.
From one of their social posts a few years ago:
They also seem to be operating in a “small shop that also sells tools” type of way that’s hard to explain. It’s not a bad thing.
Vards Uzvards
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KRSLJ3W/
jake
Thank you @fred, @Stuart and @Vards_Uzvards! I appreciate it.
JR Ramos
I got mine from Amazon but I have ordered other PB items from DRPD – small operation but fair prices and excellent service (and packaging). Amazon will often be cheaper but availability and selection is often limited. I used DRPD three times and each order was great, no issues. I didn’t communicate with the guy.
Looked at Haus of Tools twice and despite the nice website it looks like they are half sham and possibly half scam. Shied away each time. Googled their street address and it seems kinda shady but such is the world of online sellers these days with a great many of them.
A W
Possible typo: “I’m not realizing”. I think you mean *now realizing.
Stuart
Oops. Thanks, *fixed*!
jake
The 5/32 Tekton Mini Pry Bars look very useful to me. Thank you for that.
Nathan
Like said above I find the 30 degree grand for wheel well removals. Like a complete bulb replacement on an f150. Crank wheel over pull out liner etc.
I got mine in similar fashion filling out a get enough for free shipping. I have the 50 degree also but haven’t used it yet. Pretty sure I got the 1/4. As that’s the flat head I used to use.
I can see the straight one being useful too. Also I would say they compare well to Mathew ones that I’ve seen but never bought. I agree the handle could be smaller but I do like the feel
Scott K
These look really useful. Not sure if I missed this in the post, but they’re made in Michigan.
IronWood
I got the 30 and 50 deg thicker bars when they came out. Totally agree that they are handy, high quality, and excellent value. I’ll add the straight one next time I do a Tekton order. I’ve been really happy with the tools and service from Tekton the last few years.
Mark M.
Agreed they are handy. After years of buggering up little screwdrivers I got a couple from Lisle and they rock. Coincidentally, I was in Walmart this weekend and was curious if they had the HyperTough prybars in stock. I have the set already so wasn’t looking to buy, but was happily surprised to see a USA-made HyperTough mini prybar set for like $5. Snatched that up and they are great too.
Ken
Nice find on the WalMart mini pry bars. $8 online.
eddiesky
Always happy with Tekton tools. Would be nice for a combo mini-prybar and picktool set since that is usually when the need arise. Whether a lid, a stuck gasket or O-ring or inspection, these come in handy.
And thanks to those site for PBSwiss tools. If I had to start on my tools again…
Tom M.
These look like they could be useful for taking apart and maintaining saltwater fishing reels. Just placed an order!
Dave P
I vastly prefer mini pry bars that don’t have a big bulky plastic handle. They fit into much tighter faces. I would have limited use for those bulky things.
ITCD
I’m not sure where you got the idea they were big and bulky. 3.5″ long, 11/16″ wide. Actually slimmer than a bunch of other options out there, just a little longer than some.
JayS
I ordered the mini pry bars when they first came out. One of the pry bars had a manufacturing flaw (blade chip and surface was not ground flat) that still made it useable but I was not satisfied with since it was brand new. I submitted a warranty claim and had a new one in 3 days with minimal effort. I’m more than satisfied with the results and would continue to purchase from Tekton just for the ease of warranty.
Stan_Dupp
Straight blade mini pry bar with a pocket clip for president of these old us and a, sometimes I need it as a screwdriver, sometimes I need a pry bar, sometimes it’s a small shovel that cleans out dirty gate valves, I would pay like 20 bucks for one
Greg
I really like what tekton has been doing lately. A good mix of made in USA/made in Taiwan, quality products overall, fairly fast shipping, and small details like efficient packaging with reduced waste / bio degradable padding instead of plastic.
JoeM
Geez… I like Tekton for their “Well, nobody else seems to be doing that!” Kinds of tools already, but with micro pry bars? I may move Tekton into the “I Love Tekton” column!
Stuart, I agree with you in the hope they expand the lineup of these bars to more shaft diameters. I would love a set for servicing or detailing mobile tech. This is one of the very few times when something so precise doesn’t fit into the jewellery tools I would use!
I’ve ordered some cheap backups of my precision screwdrivers from AliExpress and (for the first time ever) TEMU. Backups don’t need to be high quality for what I do, they just need to be there in case I need a counter-driver or sacrificial bit. The new cheapies have those “Squidgers” (iFixit calls them that, they run along seams to push tabs open on devices.) and a couple pry bars of their own, but I really like that Tekton is making dedicated tool versions of these!
Man… Is it just me, or is Tekton stepping up their game gradually over the past decade or so?
Stuart
When I spoke to them in 2011, they said Tekton was setting down on a new path towards better quality and a focus on customer service.
2014: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/tekton-tools-manager-interview/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> 2022: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/tekton-usa-tools-2022/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> 2024: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/tekton-hand-tool-warranty/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
It’s clear they put effort into “stepping up their game.” They said they would, and then they did.
JoeM
Well it is certainly showing! I like where they’re going!
Tanner
These are made in the USA with a lifetime guarantee at an affordable price. Good job mentioning any of those details.
Stuart
Seeing how none of that factored into my purchasing decision, which is the entire point of the post, such details can be saved for the eventual reviews.