Review: Ivanko OBXS-20kg-29mm Stainless Steel Powerbar
In September 2012, I purchased an Ivanko OBXS-20kg-29mm stainless steel barbell, and after using it for awhile, I wanted to provide some initial impressions about the use and performance of the bar. I had started my home gym with the Ivanko OB-20kg which is excellent; however the non-standard knurl pattern made it difficult to deadlift without scraping my shins due to the narrow smooth area of the bar. Plus I liked the idea of having a stainless steel bar for the longevity and rust resistance. I live in Florida, so humidity is high for most of the year.
[b]Buying:[/b] Ordering was straightforward. I purchased it online from Gtechfitness which was painless and hassle free.
[b]Arrival:[/b] It arrived from Gtechfitness (actually they drop ship from Ivanko directly) in 8 calendar days (Figure 1). The ends of the container were a little smashed in (Figure 2) which had me initially worried, but when I opened the package there were no problems with the barbell sleeves. The only thing I was not happy about where some small scuff marks on the smooth portion of the bar itself (Figure 3). Initially I had thought about sending it back, but then realized it probably doesn't matter except cosmetically, and it will probably get more scuffed over it's lifetime of hard use. I doubt this was a shipping issue as there was no damage to the package in the middle.
[b]Build Quality:[/b] As you would expect for an Ivanko product, the build quality is exceptional. The entire bar is stainless steel except for the bronze bushings that attach the bar to the sleeve (Figure 4). The sleeves turn very smooth and there is there is even a hole at the ends of each sleeve where you can apply oil if the sleeve no longer turns smoothly (Figure 5).
[b]Use:[/b] I love using this bar. It feels solid in the hand and the knurl has a great feel. Compared to the black oxide OB-20kg, I have 2 comments: 1) When I first picked up the OBXS-20kg-29mm, I noticed that the knurling was sharper than the OB-20kg. This may be because this is a power bar and not an olympic bar like the OB-20kg. I've never felt the knurl on the OBX-20kg so I can't say whether there is any difference between knurls on the black oxide bars, but I thought this was worth mentioning. 2) The knurl placement is a big improvement for me over the OB-20kg, as the OBXS-20kg-29mm has a much wider unknurled part of the bar excluding the center knurl (Figure 6). I can deadlift without scraping my shins and the inside edges of the knurl pattern mark the right place to put my index fingers when doing overhead presses. I often see posts criticizing Ivanko barbells for their non-standard knurl pattern. I think this is mainly is because most people have only used or read about their black oxide bars and have never looked into the stainless steel bars. It's nice to know that Ivanko offers the standard knurl pattern if you are looking for it, albeit at a high cost.
[b]Conclusion:[/b] What's not to love?: Quality product, stainless steel construction, 218,000 PSI tensile strength steel, excellent knurl. I love this bar and would buy it again. It feels and works great and I'm sure it will outlast me given its stainless steel construction.
Figure 1. Arrival - still in the package
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Figure 2. Closeup of the package ends showing the smashed down edges
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Figure 3. Closeup of the scuff marks on the smooth part of the barbell
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Figure 4. The Bronze Bushing
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Figure 5. The Sleeve End
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Figure 6. Comparing the knurling between the Ivanko OB-20kg (top) and the OBXS-20kg-29mm (bottom)
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6 Attachment(s)
OBXS 29 mm stainless steel "RAW" power bar
Sorry, been away for a bit, life/work has been quite hectic. However, hard work does pay off in the end and helps con’t to contribute to my sickness that I seem to have of wanting to get more workout equipment, even though I don’t really need to upgrade.
I finally broke down and got the Ivanko stainless steel 29 mm powerlifting bar (OBXS) “raw” version.
I saw Dr. Forces review on it and that was helpful since there are not many reviews on this bar (probably due to the price). The “raw” version is what really enticed me on this bar since a lot of people seems to like uncoated bars, but shy away from it due to more tendency to rust and needing more upkeep.
I figured, stainless steel will less likely rust (although I know it can rust), so it should be all good. I was debating between this bar and the eleiko powerlifting bar. I think the push to the ivanko was due to the fact that I have ivanko ROEZH plates and this was a “raw” bar.
I haven’t used it a lot since I just got it less than a week ago, but here are my first impressions:
1. The knurling is surprisingly finer and smoother than I expected (Dr. Forces review was on the polished version of this bar and thought it was sharper. Ivanko does say this raw bar has a finer knurl, but due to being unpolished, the knurling tips are not knocked off). I wish I had a polished one to feel the difference. I know knurling is different in everyone’s hands, but here is the best way I can compare how it feels to me.
- I have a rogue westside power bar (WPB) and the knurling on that is definitely rougher and sharper to the hand than the ivanko. I have never used a TPB, but I think the WPB is probably similar in feel. I can say from my limited use, the WBP center knurl does seem to grip my back for squats alittle more than the ivanko.
- The original rogue bar I have knurling is smoother than the ivanko. There is a difference, but it is not a large difference.
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Rogue bar on top
WPB in the middle
OBXS on the bottom
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OBXS on the top
WPB in the middle
Rogue bar on bottom
2. Spin of the ivanko sleeves seem similar to the spin on my WPB. Does not seem to be any smoother per se. no significant binding appreciated.
3. Ivanko Bar shipped in an intact tube with no breaks in the cardboard tube (unlike my other 2 rogue bars).
4. The ivanko bar unfortunately did have a small nick/scratch on one of the sleeves. Can feel the nick if you run your finger nail over it. Not a big deal since it will not affect the bar, but sucks that such an expensive bar was not flawless per se.
5. I got the bar from BW products and Jeff there is great to work with and can was able to get a good deal in this bar.
6. I placed some pic’s on the bar, sorry not savvy enough to embed them.
I am overall happy with the bar. It looks awesome and so far at least for some squats and benching it feels good (haven’t tried DL with them). The knurling I think will take alittle getting used to since I am more used to the roughness of the WPB. I guess time will tell whether I prefer one of the other since I have not used the ivanko enough to give it fair justice yet.
I preferred to get this bar and not the OBX bar because I prefer 29 mm bars (IPF bars in competition are 29 mm). it is surprising that ivanko made their OBX powerlifting bar 28 mm. not sure why.
Also, this bar only has one set of powerlifting marks, no 3 marks like their other bar.
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3 Attachment(s)
OBXS 29 mm stainless steel "RAW" power bar con't
Sorry, first post was too long. here is the pic of the unfortunate nick in the sleeve.
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Here is the bronze bushing
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pic of IVANKO bar with ROEZH
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