The "Okie" Deadlift Barbell

[BloodType3R]

So, my Neice was over yesterday and wanted to go in the garage. She wanted to "do the squat thing and the lie down and push thing". I entertained her requests to do a few Bench Presses and Squats. I had left my Texas Power Bar fully loaded after an impromptu max Deadlift session the day before. After I tripped over it a few times, she wanted to know why it "still had the weights on it". I informed her that I was just too tired to offload it after lifting. I told her "I better put the weights away now because I need to use that bar to Bench tomorrow". She is fully aware that my Deadlift is my best (and probably favorite) lift. She said "why don't you have a bar just for deadlifting?".. I could not argue with her logic.

I like to reward milestone lifts with new equipment purchases. I had always thought that it would be great to get a deadlift bar to pull my first 500lb lift. I had no idea how close I was to it though. I pulled a strapped and belted 475 Sumo Deadlift (a whopping 40lb PR) on Monday. I may not be ready for that 500lb pull just yet but I decided that I was ready to start looking into deadlift bars.

So, Texas Deadlift Bar or Okie Deadlift Bar? There isn't a whole lot of info out there on either but info on the Okie is especially scarce. I could not even find a decent photo. The best that I could do was to search youtube and see a few in action. Technical specs are available for both bars and they seem very similar, if not identical.

When it came to user feedback, once again, I couldn't find much. Seemingly everyone had a slight preference for the Okie, especially noting its greter flex but no scientific reasoning for this. Users of both bars also seemed to have a slight preference for the Okie's knurl.

The mystery surrounding this bar and its legendary reputation made me lean in the direction of the Okie. What pushed me over the edge? I have a set of vintage Okie collars waiting for an Okie bar.. Ya really.

Last night I came close to ordering one but I decided to sleep on it. Well, today came and went and I still want that damn bar.
You have to order this bar straight from the source:
http://www.crainsmuscleworld.com/oki...equipment.html

The ordering process is as much of a mystery as the bar. A "minimum shipping" charge of $7.95 (subject to change) is what was shown at the time of purchase, giving a grand total of $376.95 (which will likely change). It's also worth noting that no Insurance is automatically included. It is suggested that you request it if you desire it. I requested shipping Insurance be added to my order. I placed the order at 7:30PM and received an email confirmation at 7:31PM.

I'm along for the ride just as much as you at this point.
Stay tuned.

[dumb.bell]

I've been interested in this bar for quite some time, so I will be watching this thread closely.

[BloodType3R]

I've been interested in this bar for quite some time, so I will be watching this thread closely.

I found an old thread about Okie vs Texas and saw that you had posted in it.

[Xhesi]

$376.95 seems like alot for a bar, i know barbell is the most important item in a home gym but why so expensive?

[xephonics]

waiting on the review

$376.95 seems like alot for a bar, i know barbell is the most important item in a home gym but why so expensive?

I guess you would really scoff at my next barbell purchase, it will be a while though, as I do not feel like dropping $800 for a while, I'll probably wait till my deep dish ivankos don't fit on my current bar anymore lol (it cannot fit any more than 7 per side, so I have a little while.... lol)

[BloodType3R]

$376.95 seems like alot for a bar, i know barbell is the most important item in a home gym but why so expensive?

It's a specialty bar made in very small quantities by American craftsmen/women. As a matter of fact, the bar that I just ordered may not even have began being manufactured yet.

waiting on the review

Me too!

[owasM]

$376.95 seems like alot for a bar, i know barbell is the most important item in a home gym but why so expensive?

thats nothing compared to the price here

[dumb.bell]

$376.95 seems like alot for a bar, i know barbell is the most important item in a home gym but why so expensive?

It really just comes down to quality! However, that is a specialty bar, and it is considered to be the best in its category.

[BloodType3R]

thats nothing compared to the price here

*begins chanting* USA, USA, USA!

[dumb.bell]

I found an old thread about Okie vs Texas and saw that you had posted in it.

I was hoping to revive the thread and get some more discussion. Unfortunately, I was only able to trigger one more response.

[owasM]

*begins chanting* USA, USA, USA!

hey only $830 for a texas deadlift bar

looking forward to the review/pics!

[dumb.bell]

I'm not sure if I ever mentioned this on the forum, but the MHP strength team was using a Texas Bench Bar at the Arnold. I believe one of the guys benched 1000lbs with it. I saw a couple of lifts in excess of 800lbs with the bar.

[BloodType3R]

hey only $830 for a texas deadlift bar

looking forward to the review/pics!

I'll keep you guys posted along the way.

I'm not sure if I ever mentioned this on the forum, but the MHP strength team was using a Texas Bench Bar at the Arnold. I believe one of the guys benched 1000lbs with it. I saw a couple of lifts in excess of 800lbs with the bar.

I'll never be a great Bencher or Squatter but I do have a good bone structure for pulling. Leave it up to the logic of a 5 year old to convince you that you should embrace it.

I was hoping to revive the thread and get some more discussion. Unfortunately, I was only able to trigger one more response.

I know.. That's why I didn't bother trying to get feedback. No one really seems to be able to give it. This one's on me, guys.

[-aesop-]

She said "why don't you have a bar just for deadlifting?

I'm along for the ride just as much as you at this point.
Stay tuned.

You have no idea what I've done in order to increase my reps just to help enhance other people's reps on the equipment forum. But you will, whenever the hell I'm off recharge, lol.

Good story, though. I love to have at least a separate deadlift bar, since I've been using the TDB for the past 6 months. Be prepared for a long wait, from everythign I gather, Okies are only made when Crain's got the money in his little fingers.

[BloodType3R]

You have no idea what I've done in order to increase my reps just to help enhance other people's reps on the equipment forum. But you will, whenever the hell I'm off recharge, lol.

Good story, though. I love to have at least a separate deadlift bar, since I've been using the TDB for the past 6 months. Be prepared for a long wait, from everythign I gather, Okies are only made when Crain's got the money in his little fingers.

True. I've heard that 8 weeks is not out of the question. That's why I went ahead and ordered now so that the bar should be available when I'm ready for that 500lb pull.

[dumb.bell]

Good story, though. I love to have at least a separate deadlift bar, since I've been using the TDB for the past 6 months. Be prepared for a long wait, from everythign I gather, Okies are only made when Crain's got the money in his little fingers.

I believe the Crains were having some legal issues a while back, did that get resolved?

[morebarbell]

Looking forward to the review!

[817boy]

You should have bought a TDLB


I WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM CRAIN MUSCLE WORLD (read this article)
http://newsok.com/ex-oklahoma-teache...rticle/3688008

cliff notes:
Crains wife use to be a 3rd grade school teacher, she invited some young students to her house and took inappropriate pictures of them. Also took inappropriate pictures of them at school and video taped them (naked) changing clothes. Now she is facing several charges

I REFUSE to purchase anything from crain because im sure the money will go to legal fees.


OP: I would call crain in the morning and cancel your order but thats just me.

[Accutron]

You should have bought a TDLB...

Wow thats terrible...

[2MoreRepz]

Well...that took a turn for the worse. I am still interested in the review if you decide to go through with it. This is the first I have heard of this bar.

[BloodType3R]

Well...that took a turn for the worse. I am still interested in the review if you decide to go through with it. This is the first I have heard of this bar.

Furreal.


I've forwarded this topic to Crain via email and requested that they comment on this to ensure that I'm comfortable doing business with them.

[2MoreRepz]

Furreal.


I've forwarded this topic to Crain via email and requested that they comment on this to ensure that I'm comfortable doing business with them.

Nice! Direct and to the point! I'm trying to put myself in your position, not sure what I would do. Let us know what happens.

[GarageIron]

Okie Dokie... moving right along...

I have the Texas DL and I'm sure you could pull 500 on it right now if you are pulling 470+ on a 7ft oly bar. I PR'd over 40lbs onto first day with the bar and should have aimed higher.

The 27mm diameter and extended length allow for a better grip and flex that allows you to pull the flex out into a better mechanical position for the pull. Pretty badass.

Anyway, I split pallets of Capps bars with Lifestyle Sport in Dunkirk NY. In the last pallet we got a few DL bars and squat bars. I was down there 2 weeks ago and they were still there. If this doesn't work out, email Bill at Lifestyle and he will get one out to you within 24hrs. He doesn't advertise them as in stock but they are there and ready to go. Pretty sure it's $399 shipped. He also reinforces and gorilla tapes the tubes... something everyone should do.

[dumb.bell]

This was what I meant by legal issues.

It sounds like it is still a pending issue, so I seriously doubt you will get a response. People will have different opinions, but I've always been of the mindset that a person should be treated as innocent until proven guilty (kind of the underlying principle of our legal system - as opposed to lynch mobs). The Duke rape case is a good example.

Personally, I would have no problem purchasing a bar from Crain. For one, it doesn't sound like she has been convicted, and she deserves a fair trial. So if he/they decided to spend the money on her legal defense, I don't have a problem with it (if the kids in the Duke rape case had not had money for a good defense, they might be in jail now). Secondly, even assuming she is guilty, he may not have had any idea, so why should his business be destroyed. Either way, nothing has been proven yet.

[TwoBitHit]

I'll watch out for the legal case but I have to say thanks to the OP.

I never realized that there was another really great power bar option in that middle range, I know you're looking at the DL bar, but it brought the power bar to my attention. I'll rep when I get 50 posts!

[morebarbell]

I believe the Crains were having some legal issues a while back, did that get resolved?

Is Kimberly Crain the person in question? Kimberly Crain changed her plea to guilty and was sentenced to 45 years on 3-22-2013.

http://www.koco.com/news/oklahomanew...g/-/index.html

It seems that Ricky Dale Crain may have faced or may be facing a civil suit for negligence. This article is from a year ago.

SHAWNEE - The husband of a former McLoud elementary school teacher charged with child pornography has been added to a civil lawsuit filed by families of the alleged victims.
The lawsuit now alleges negligence by Rickey Dale Crain and says some of the alleged acts took place inside a business owned by Crain and his wife, Kimberly Crain.

Rickey Dale Crain has not been charged and a prosecutor said Tuesday that there is no evidence linking him to the case. Crain’s attorney did not immediately return a phone call for comment...

http://www.tulsaworld.com/article.as..._0_sanete36863

Rickey Dale Crain and Crain's Muscle World Ltd are listed as defendants on the civil suit.
http://dockets.justia.com/docket/okl...cv00454/83671/

[dumb.bell]

Is Kimberly Crain the person in question? Kimberly Crain changed her plea to guilty and was sentenced to 45 years on 3-22-2013.

If that is the case, my whole innocent until proven guilty remarks no longer apply.

It then just becomes a decision as to whether you want to spend your money with the husband. I guess it all depends on how much you think he knew and/or whether he should be held responsible for his wife's actions.

[KalleA]

This guy does not seem too impressed with customer service at CMW:
http://www.uspla.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=116

I am sharing this experience to let people know the customer service I have received from Rickey Dale Crain's Muscle World. It has gotten to the point were it is unbelievable. My only recourse for any type of satisfaction is to let as many people know about what has transpired over the last 6+ months. Fortunately I have kept all my emails.....

Cheers

[2MoreRepz]

Abort abort!

[BIgOrange865]

After reading through this entire thread it is good to know that we have forums like this to gather information about a product and/or businesses. I too was quite intrigued about the okie bar, but unfortunately it seems like the business is in the dumps with legal and customer service issues.

Thanks for all the info everyone and if there are other competitors to the okie deadlift bar that anyone recommends please share.