As I mentioned in another thread, my wife agreed to buy me whatever barbell I wanted if I reached a certain lifting goal. I haven't reached it yet, and it may be the end of the year before I do, if I do, but I thought I might as well start reviewing my options.
My preference is for a black oxide or stainless steel finish and I'm leaning towards stainless steel. The bars I'm considering at present are the two stainless steel Ivanko bushing bars as well as the Iron Wolf bars (most likely the deadlift or squat bar). I'm looking for feedback from anyone who has used one of these bars as well as opinions from non-users and suggestions for other bars that I should consider.
Any input will be appreciated.
|
-
10-18-2013, 10:03 AM #1
- Join Date: Nov 2008
- Location: Brentwood, Tennessee, United States
- Age: 56
- Posts: 5,290
- Rep Power: 30385
Looking for high end barbell suggestions.
▪█─────█▪ Equipment Crew #39 ▪█─────█▪
▪█─────█▪ Ivanko Barbell Crew #2 ▪█─────█▪
▪[[[[────]]]]▪ York Barbell Club #93 (DD) ▪[[[[────]]]]▪
▪[M]====[6]▪ Mech6 Crew #10 ▪[M]====[6]▪
186lbs in Avatar
-
10-18-2013, 10:11 AM #2
- Join Date: Mar 2011
- Location: North Carolina, United States
- Posts: 3,176
- Rep Power: 19745
CAP OB-86B, lol.....
Seriously, the Ivanko bars sound wonderful, but since I'd like a DL bar I'd probably go for the Iron Wolfe.
This is a dilemma I'd like to have, good luck.Last edited by twodog; 10-18-2013 at 10:45 AM.
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do, than by the ones you did" Mark Twain
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats" H. L. Mencken
[]---[] Equipment Crew #42 []---[] ()---() York Barbell Club #18 ()---()
-
10-18-2013, 10:14 AM #3
I don't know jack about the Iron Wolfe, but I am loving my Ivanko OB-20KG after one workout......I can only imagine how cool it would be in stainless!
[]---[] Ivanko Barbell Crew #29 []---[]
[]---[] York Barbell Club #59 []---[]
[]---[] Equipment Crew #48 []---[]
l l---l l Rogue Barbell Club #3 l l---l l
[]---[] Mech6 Crew #9 []---[]
-
10-18-2013, 10:38 AM #4
- Join Date: Apr 2011
- Location: Texarkana, Texas, United States
- Posts: 2,557
- Rep Power: 19612
I would love to have the Iron Wolfe deadlift bar, the only thing holding me back is the length.....seems like I have dealt with this issue my whole life though, anyways....The Iron Wolfe is longer than the Texas or the Okie.
▪█─────█▪ Equipment Crew #47
()---() York Barbell Club #46 (DD) ()---()
During the last few reps of a true 20RM squat, just do what Jesus tells you.--Mark Rippetoe
-
-
10-18-2013, 10:52 AM #5
- Join Date: Feb 2012
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Posts: 4,646
- Rep Power: 64445
Not really a recommendation as such, but if it were my money I would for the Ivanko. I like the company and what they stand for.
My training log:
---------------
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=153596291&p=1062453741#post1062453741
[]---[] Equipment Crew #43 []---[]
-!!!---!!!- No Excuses Homemade Equipment Crew #1 -!!!---!!!-
()---() York Barbell Club #4 ()---()
-
10-18-2013, 10:53 AM #6
- Join Date: Nov 2008
- Location: Brentwood, Tennessee, United States
- Age: 56
- Posts: 5,290
- Rep Power: 30385
I'd really like to get a deadlift bar too, but I'm wondering if I would want my deadlift bar to be the most expensive bar I own, since it is a specific use bar.
I've got the OBX-20KG and know exactly what you mean, however, since I already have this bar, I'm wondering if it is really worth the money to just get another bar that is almost exactly like the bar I already own.
I don't think length will necessarily be an issue, I think I've got sufficient space. I'm just struggling with whether I want the deadlift bar to be my most expensive bar as I posted above.▪█─────█▪ Equipment Crew #39 ▪█─────█▪
▪█─────█▪ Ivanko Barbell Crew #2 ▪█─────█▪
▪[[[[────]]]]▪ York Barbell Club #93 (DD) ▪[[[[────]]]]▪
▪[M]====[6]▪ Mech6 Crew #10 ▪[M]====[6]▪
186lbs in Avatar
-
10-18-2013, 10:57 AM #7
- Join Date: Nov 2008
- Location: Brentwood, Tennessee, United States
- Age: 56
- Posts: 5,290
- Rep Power: 30385
-
10-18-2013, 11:07 AM #8
Since I don't have any really nice bar, I'd go with a less lift-specific bar. However, since you already have an OBX-20KG I'd recommend the Iron Wolfe. I doubt you'd regret it. I get the impression it is what you really want - don't doubt yourself. Go for it.
..and then tell us all about it so we can bask in the awesomeness through forum association.
-
-
10-18-2013, 11:12 AM #9
-
10-18-2013, 11:17 AM #10
- Join Date: Nov 2008
- Location: Brentwood, Tennessee, United States
- Age: 56
- Posts: 5,290
- Rep Power: 30385
-
10-18-2013, 11:19 AM #11
- Join Date: Nov 2008
- Location: Brentwood, Tennessee, United States
- Age: 56
- Posts: 5,290
- Rep Power: 30385
I already own a Texas Power Bar. Yeah, there don't appear to be too many people who have used the Iron Wolf stuff. I guess that is a big thing that is holding me back. No first hand reviews from anyone on the forum and the closest gym with one is in Hickory North Carolina. I'd really like to see one in person.
▪█─────█▪ Equipment Crew #39 ▪█─────█▪
▪█─────█▪ Ivanko Barbell Crew #2 ▪█─────█▪
▪[[[[────]]]]▪ York Barbell Club #93 (DD) ▪[[[[────]]]]▪
▪[M]====[6]▪ Mech6 Crew #10 ▪[M]====[6]▪
186lbs in Avatar
-
10-18-2013, 11:20 AM #12
-
-
10-18-2013, 11:28 AM #13
- Join Date: Jan 2010
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Posts: 45,402
- Rep Power: 395123
I don't know if you are aware of this, but the guy running Iron Wolf was the head barbell maker at York before they moved their operation to Canada.
I don't think many people have tried his bar because they are so damn expensive and he doesn't really market them. I think the majority of his client base are competition committees.Boomer Rep Crew #1
[]---[] Equipment Crew #37 []---[]
()---() York Barbell Club #3 ()---()
"You want science and studies? **** you. I've got scars and blood and vomit."
-Wendler
-
10-18-2013, 11:31 AM #14
- Join Date: Apr 2011
- Location: Texarkana, Texas, United States
- Posts: 2,557
- Rep Power: 19612
I tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to send out my paypal address, and let this wonderful group of guys donate to the Iron Wolfe fund. I hate to be the test dummy, but someone has to step up.
▪█─────█▪ Equipment Crew #47
()---() York Barbell Club #46 (DD) ()---()
During the last few reps of a true 20RM squat, just do what Jesus tells you.--Mark Rippetoe
-
10-18-2013, 11:34 AM #15
-
10-18-2013, 11:39 AM #16
- Join Date: Nov 2008
- Location: Brentwood, Tennessee, United States
- Age: 56
- Posts: 5,290
- Rep Power: 30385
I was aware they or an affiliate made York bars, but I didn't know the guy running Iron Wolf was the head barbell maker. Do you have any idea how many years he was involved with York? Are we talking about someone who would have been involved with the bars from the 70s and 80s, or just the 90s and 2000s?
▪█─────█▪ Equipment Crew #39 ▪█─────█▪
▪█─────█▪ Ivanko Barbell Crew #2 ▪█─────█▪
▪[[[[────]]]]▪ York Barbell Club #93 (DD) ▪[[[[────]]]]▪
▪[M]====[6]▪ Mech6 Crew #10 ▪[M]====[6]▪
186lbs in Avatar
-
-
10-18-2013, 11:47 AM #17
I agree, it sounds like Dumb.bell has his mind made up at this point! And it makes sense, given that he already has an Ivanko, and wants a really nice bar. The only thing that stands out to me that has not been mentioned yet would a nice vintage York bar. That could be difficult to find, and probably not as nice as the Iron/Arctic Wolfe.
[]---[] Ivanko Barbell Crew #29 []---[]
[]---[] York Barbell Club #59 []---[]
[]---[] Equipment Crew #48 []---[]
l l---l l Rogue Barbell Club #3 l l---l l
[]---[] Mech6 Crew #9 []---[]
-
10-18-2013, 11:53 AM #18
- Join Date: Jan 2010
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Posts: 45,402
- Rep Power: 395123
I think it was 80s and the early 90s. If I recall correctly York moved to Canada in the mid-90's.
I have never used one, but from what I have heard, his bars are like unreal. Most would never really get the benefits of his bars quality though, however given your expertise, I would like to think that you would.Boomer Rep Crew #1
[]---[] Equipment Crew #37 []---[]
()---() York Barbell Club #3 ()---()
"You want science and studies? **** you. I've got scars and blood and vomit."
-Wendler
-
10-18-2013, 11:57 AM #19
- Join Date: Nov 2008
- Location: Brentwood, Tennessee, United States
- Age: 56
- Posts: 5,290
- Rep Power: 30385
-
10-18-2013, 12:00 PM #20
- Join Date: Nov 2008
- Location: Brentwood, Tennessee, United States
- Age: 56
- Posts: 5,290
- Rep Power: 30385
-
-
10-18-2013, 12:10 PM #21
- Join Date: Jan 2010
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Posts: 45,402
- Rep Power: 395123
-
10-18-2013, 12:16 PM #22
- Join Date: Apr 2011
- Location: Texarkana, Texas, United States
- Posts: 2,557
- Rep Power: 19612
It is hard to tell from the pictures, but does anyone have any knowledge on the feel of the knurl from an Iron Wolfe compared to say a Texas bar?
▪█─────█▪ Equipment Crew #47
()---() York Barbell Club #46 (DD) ()---()
During the last few reps of a true 20RM squat, just do what Jesus tells you.--Mark Rippetoe
-
10-18-2013, 12:23 PM #23
Here's a video from YouTube showing a lucky guy opening the boxes of 3 brand new Iron Wolfe bars. Makes me very jealous...
Here's the full link in case I mess up the embedding:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PwGEEnR0Wc
-
10-18-2013, 12:32 PM #24
-
-
10-18-2013, 12:56 PM #25
- Join Date: Nov 2008
- Location: Brentwood, Tennessee, United States
- Age: 56
- Posts: 5,290
- Rep Power: 30385
Well, I think it is a given that I don't need another bar, but that is actually how this all started. I was looking at some of the higher end bars and my wife said "why does anyone need a $1200 bar." She acted as if it was just completely crazy for anyone to spend that kind of money on a barbell (and she is probably right - LOL). My response was "the same reason you need a pair of $1200 shoes." She rolled her eyes and said, "no, that is completely different." I looked at her, smiled, and said "really." That was the end of the conversation and two days later when she was spotting me while benching, she said she was going to buy me a bar when I reached my goal.
btw - her shoe collection, makes my barbell collection look tiny.▪█─────█▪ Equipment Crew #39 ▪█─────█▪
▪█─────█▪ Ivanko Barbell Crew #2 ▪█─────█▪
▪[[[[────]]]]▪ York Barbell Club #93 (DD) ▪[[[[────]]]]▪
▪[M]====[6]▪ Mech6 Crew #10 ▪[M]====[6]▪
186lbs in Avatar
-
10-18-2013, 01:33 PM #26
-
10-18-2013, 01:54 PM #27
I can vouch for dumb.bell his wife has a lot of shoes, and now she has cabinets for everything as well.
[II]---[II] Equipment Crew #49 [II]---[II]
[[[---]]] York Barbell Crew #35 [[[---]]] (DD, RH)
"The iron is with you for a while, and you will use it to get stronger, while preserving it and protecting it for the men and women who will come after you. You aren't a consumer. You're a brother of the iron. It's your duty. It's your calling." -AttyGuy
-
10-18-2013, 02:09 PM #28
Have you thought about an Eleiko bar. They have the XF bar which is like a hybrid Olympic and power lifting bar. The Olympic WL bar and the power lifting PL bar. I've never used one but I think they would certainly be high end.
http://www.eleikosport.com/en/0/cate...t=0&pc=56&ap=1
-
-
10-18-2013, 02:10 PM #29
Have you thought about another type of specialty bar?
BWT bars safety squat, Swiss, or football bars?
I think with the bars you have you should look into a specialty type bar such as one of the ones above or a DL bar.
Just a thought.[II]---[II] Equipment Crew #49 [II]---[II]
[[[---]]] York Barbell Crew #35 [[[---]]] (DD, RH)
"The iron is with you for a while, and you will use it to get stronger, while preserving it and protecting it for the men and women who will come after you. You aren't a consumer. You're a brother of the iron. It's your duty. It's your calling." -AttyGuy
-
10-18-2013, 02:18 PM #30
- Join Date: Nov 2008
- Location: Brentwood, Tennessee, United States
- Age: 56
- Posts: 5,290
- Rep Power: 30385
Similar Threads
-
ITT I educate you on IEM/Headphones (srs)
By P51 in forum Misc.Replies: 2163Last Post: 05-14-2022, 08:21 PM -
Which barbell should I buy?
By EdLaFave in forum Workout EquipmentReplies: 21Last Post: 01-21-2012, 09:19 AM -
Looking for a power rack under 80" high
By battlejacker99 in forum Workout EquipmentReplies: 8Last Post: 12-12-2008, 02:00 PM -
Modified 5x5 for WSB, whatta ya' think?
By screwbol in forum Workout ProgramsReplies: 4Last Post: 01-08-2006, 04:11 PM -
I think I've got a decent plan going, looking for fine-tuning....
By DRK in forum Teen BodybuildingReplies: 2Last Post: 07-25-2005, 12:48 PM
Bookmarks