The "Okie" Deadlift Barbell

[BloodType3R]

I was starting to feel a bit forgotten.. hell, I was starting to lose my mind so, I sent an email to Crain asking about the replacement bar. Much to my delight this is the answer that I recieved 9 minutes later:

"we got it in last friday....it did have a bend in it so we are shipping another one out....it went out today I believe .....you should have it by the weekend......we will file all claims with ups....I really do not understand how they can bend a bar. ...I will get you a tracking number tomorrow."

Then just a few minutes later I got a tracking #. Once again, the UPS info is void of any update info on my end (not Crain's fault) but Crain told me that it shows the scheduled delivery as by the end of Friday. Really looking forward to this new bar because in all honesty, it was hard to let the one that I had go.

[HowardCSCS]

The saga continues...jk, hope you pull a huge PR with that sucker

[morebarbell]

..."it did have a bend in it so we are shipping another one out....it went out today"....

Okie dokie. Hopefully the new bar will be satisfactory.

[BloodType3R]

The saga continues...jk, hope you pull a huge PR with that sucker

Thanks.
That is the plan but it will have to wait a week.. or a month. I'm just starting a deload tomorrow and then have a week to waste before another week long vacation. It could be awhile. We'll see.

Okie dokie. Hopefully the new bar will be satisfactory.

Let's find out!



Here's my replacement bar. It has 1mm of deviation at each end. That's about half of what the last one had but more importantly, I'm really not even able to measure any deviation at the center. This bar isn't having the binding and clicking issues that the last one had and most importantly, it doesn't feel like it's trying to "right itself" in my hands. I still feel that it could be better but it is certainly acceptable.

I'm just dropping this tidbit in here to keep you guys posted. I'll have more thoughts, pics and, perhaps vids shortly.

[xephonics]

congrats man cannot wait for a thorough review

[Jason2459]

Glad you got a better replacement. Also looking forward to a review vid.

[BIgOrange865]

Awesome Blood. Glad this whole ordering fiasco is behind you and now you can focus on pulling your PR.

Looking forward to video review

[BloodType3R]

Thanks fellas.

As mentioned, I'm just starting a deload and so as foolish as it was, I wanted to try the bar out yesterday on the last "heavy" day of my cycle. These aren't the prettiest deadlifts because I was already thoroughly fried from Squats, Snatches and, Clean and Jerks.. and a cold. I didn't experience any miraculous PR pulls but considerng that I was even able to do the following under the circumstances probably speaks to the bar improving my deadlift. These are up to 95% of my conventional 1RM and 88% of my sumo 1RM.



I wish that I could give you my detailed thoughts on how the bar reacted but I was pulling on instinct alone.. I don't even remember that workout. lol
In hindsight, I wish I'd done a couple of those pulls with a Texas Power Bar and or a 28mm York to have video to compare but I think it's pretty apparent how whippy and flexible that bastard is. I did notice having a hard time keping the plates tight between sets and that my 2 stall mats wanted to spread apart more than usual. There's obviously some extra stresses coming into play from the flex and wider plate "footprint".

[morebarbell]

Nice video! Would you say the bar has the "BIGGEST SPRING off the floor possible" and a "monumental amount of REBOUND"?

[BloodType3R]

Nice video! Would you say the bar has the "BIGGEST SPRING off the floor possible" and a "monumental amount of REBOUND"?

I know that Rickey Dale Crain would. That is what the bar was designed to do and I'd have to say that more or less that is what it does.


Here are some halfway decent pics with two other bars that many will be familiar with. The order will always be top to bottom (or left to right):
Buddy Capps Texas Power Bar, Okie Deadlift Bar, vintage stainless York Olympic Bar.











Here's a pretty worthless vid of the same lineup:



I'll have to try that again under better lighting.

[BloodType3R]

Alright, so here it is; the lift that I've been after since this thread's inception.

Lift begins at 42 seconds



That's what 501.5lbs looks like on an Okie Deadlift Bar. If anyone wants to see how the bar behaves at any specific weight (under 500 lbs) let me know; I have plenty of other vids.
So now that we have that out of the way and I've had awhile with the bar...





Are you happy with the purchase? Would you buy it all over again?
YES.
It might not have looked like the smoothest transaction but the important thing is that Crain's Muscle World stood behind their product and made sure that I got a proper bar. They replaced a bar which many retailers and or manufacturers would have deemed "good enough". I genuinely appreciate that and I'm very happy with this bar.




I'd like some input please:
In the next week or two, I plan to do a breakdown on the nitty gritty details, reviewing each component such as: finish, knurl, sleeve assembly, etc
Would you like to see a new thread with only the technical feedback on the bar (with a link to this thread for the personal quest and purchase experience) or should I just add the final review onto this thread?

[morebarbell]

Congrats on the lift! I look forward to your review either in this thread or another.

[jackbravo]

Congrats on the lift!!

[Accutron]

Really glad you like the bar and are happy with the purchase issue re replacement!

[dumb.bell]

Nice lift! That had to make you feel good - reaching your goal!! Is there a new goal now?

[BloodType3R]

Congrats on the lift! I look forward to your review either in this thread or another.

Thanks!

Congrats on the lift!!

Thank you!

Really glad you like the bar and are happy with the purchase issue re replacement!

Good things are worth waiting for.. and thank you!

Nice lift! That had to make you feel good - reaching your goal!! Is there a new goal now?

Sure did! Thanks!
Though I have no immediate plans to compete, I'm extremely confident that I'll hit "Master" class for RAW drug-free Deadlift only in the 198lb lifter class soon (think it's only another 15 lbs). "Elite" class Deadlifter is where I'd love to end up (lifetime). However, recent traing has taken it's toll on my knee and I'll have to retire Sumo for a little while. I think I'll put my effort into chasing the bodyweight strict Press for now.


I was worried that this thread was getting a bit cluttered but it seems that there is no real preference for a new thread so I guess I'll just add on the detailed review here. Stay tuned!

[2MoreRepz]

I think you owe it all to the Maynard remix! Nice lift bro!

[morebarbell]

I think you owe it all to the Maynard remix! Nice lift bro!

I had audio off when I watched the video previously. Reps for both the lift and the music.



...still waiting for the review...

[BloodType3R]

I think you owe it all to the Maynard remix! Nice lift bro!

Haha.. There may be something to that. Maynard and Reznor get me through the majority of my workouts. Thanks man.

I had audio off when I watched the video previously. Reps for both the lift and the music.



...still waiting for the review...

[judgecrandall]

Glad things ended up working out with the bar despite some bumps along the way.

Congrats on hitting 500! I'm still working my way up to 4 plates per side, so I've still got a ways to go. It's nice to see someone of similar size pulling so much weight, especially sumo.

[AttyGuy]

The saga continues...jk, hope you pull a huge PR with that sucker

He's pulling something, that's for sure. . . .

What? No unitard?

[weisgarb]

Impressive lift. Although while watching the video, I kept asking myself "Why does he look familiar?" I kept thinking about it and then . . .

[BIgOrange865]

Nice lift Blood.

Glad you reached your goal. I would start a new thread and link this one. This would bring up multiple threads if someone was researching this bar since there is so little out there.

Do you think "this bar" is the reason you pulled the weight?

Will rep after spread...

[AttyGuy]

Do you think "this bar" is the reason you pulled the weight?

I hear he attributes his success to his grip and forearms, built with grueling jelq sessions. . . .

[BloodType3R]

Glad things ended up working out with the bar despite some bumps along the way.

Congrats on hitting 500! I'm still working my way up to 4 plates per side, so I've still got a ways to go. It's nice to see someone of similar size pulling so much weight, especially sumo.

Thanks man. Following some good programming along with that whole nutrition thingy can yield some pretty awesome results.

He's pulling something, that's for sure. . . .


What? No unitard?

I am only unitard clad on unicycling, shakeweighting, and Atty curling days.

Impressive lift. Although while watching the video, I kept asking myself "Why does he look familiar?" I kept thinking about it and then . . .

Nice lift Blood.

Glad you reached your goal. I would start a new thread and link this one. This would bring up multiple threads if someone was researching this bar since there is so little out there.

Do you think "this bar" is the reason you pulled the weight?

Will rep after spread...

Thanks for the input Big O!
There is an undeniable performance boost associated with the bar but I wouldn't say that it's "the" reason. From what I understand I am kind of backwards here but I find that the Deadlift bar "helps" my Conventional far more than my Sumo. My Sumo sticking point is the same regardless of how stiff the bar is but a big flex moves my Conventional sticking point a little higher, which gives me a better chance of being able to grind through it.

I hear he attributes his success to his grip and forearms, built with grueling jelq sessions. . . .

I have studied under the best.

[ProtienandIron]

Awesome job matey.

I'm liking the 'No Country For Old Men' reference too.

[judgecrandall]

Thanks for the input Big O!
There is an undeniable performance boost associated with the bar but I wouldn't say that it's "the" reason. From what I understand I am kind of backwards here but I find that the Deadlift bar "helps" my Conventional far more than my Sumo. My Sumo sticking point is the same regardless of how stiff the bar is but a big flex moves my Conventional sticking point a little higher, which gives me a better chance of being able to grind through it.

That makes sense to me, as I have way more trouble with lockout on sumo, while off the floor is where I struggle with conventional, which is where more whip/flex would seem to give the most benefit.

[BIgOrange865]

I see your point. My big sticking point is the top of the lift. I've never done sumo lifts as it feels awkward. I will try to get the form down and see if it helps me.

I do think you should start another thread that shows your progress with the bar so people can have more reference points for research.

[GarageIron]

I've never done sumo lifts as it feels awkward. I will try to get the form down and see if it helps me.

This was just posted on the Juggernaut ******** page...

http://www.jtsstrength.com/articles/...-deadlift-101/

[BIgOrange865]

Thanks for the link GI...very informative!!