Kabuki Strength Power and Squat Bars

[keyboardworkout]

My TPB was extremely straight after 2 years of use. .013" at the end of the sleeve.

OBX-20Kg has .034" at the end of the sleeve.

York B&R bar .LOL" at the end of the sleeve. No one from Canada is straight.

Bar is in v-blocks in the j-cups.



TPB .009" at the center next to the knurling.


TPB .013" at the end of the sleeve.

[BDiamond]

Not so much quality control issues, but the TPB is noticeably more whippy. Especially noticeable on squats IMO.

[Jason2459]

Not so much quality control issues, but the TPB is noticeably more whippy. Especially noticeable on squats IMO.

Why I wish it was 29mm. Otherwise it's withstood decades of abuse at meets and all kinds of powerlifting gyms around the world including Westside.

I wish Rogue never changed up their Westside v1. It was the v2 of the TPB IMO. Very happy to have the v1 Westside PB. Slightly more aggressive knurl with more peaks per inch and 29mm. Now it's just another OPB with a crappy sleeve coating.

[dparty82]

So if you guys had to chose between a Texas Power Bar and a Rogue Ohio Power Bar what would you chose?

I'm still kicking myself for not picking up that spring20 discount code ebay had a week back and buying the TPB.

I like both but I can't afford both and don't need both.

[chadsalt]

29 pages in and this all boils down to you guys being jealous of my bling end caps....

[chadsalt]

So if you guys had to chose between a Texas Power Bar and a Rogue Ohio Power Bar what would you chose?

I'm still kicking myself for not picking up that spring20 discount code ebay had a week back and buying the TPB.

I like both but I can't afford both and don't need both.

I vote Rogue. I had a TPB, knurl was rough on the hands for no reason. Had the rogue DL bar, sharper more points per inch better IMO.

I prefer little to no knurl, and perform "grip training specific exercises as would be used to prepare for grip competition" but my DL sucks so what do I know?

[urbanlifter]

So if you guys had to chose between a Texas Power Bar and a Rogue Ohio Power Bar what would you chose?

I'm still kicking myself for not picking up that spring20 discount code ebay had a week back and buying the TPB.

I like both but I can't afford both and don't need both.

Well, apples-to-apples most people recommend the OPB for the difference in the stated specs (tensile strength, 29mm, more loadable sleeve, bare steel, brand name). But if for some odd reason you are like me and want something different I think the TPB is a great bar. Ribbing on the sleeves could be a little lighter but the barbell has history and I enjoy that type of stuff. eBay just launched another 15% off code that puts the Buddy Capps shipped at around $245, where an OPB will run you about $265 shipped (or $280-ish if you live in Ohio with tax). PSPRINGTIME

[dragon360]

The TPB is a great bar and I have enjoyed it though mine is older than UL's. But between the two I prefer my OPB. Simply a well put together bar and the one I reach for the most. That said, for some reason rough knurling does not bother me much. Not sure why. Both are grippy but neither of them are painful. So one does not have rougher grip over the other for me.

[dparty82]

Well, apples-to-apples most people recommend the OPB for the difference in the stated specs (tensile strength, 29mm, more loadable sleeve, bare steel, brand name). But if for some odd reason you are like me and want something different I think the TPB is a great bar. Ribbing on the sleeves could be a little lighter but the barbell has history and I enjoy that type of stuff. eBay just launched another 15% off code that puts the Buddy Capps shipped at around $245, where an OPB will run you about $265 shipped (or $280-ish if you live in Ohio with tax). PSPRINGTIME

Uraban....does the TPB have any sleeve rattle or side to side play? I'm very picky when it comes to construction of barbell sleeves and noise in general from fitment slop. I suppose what intrigues me about the TPB is its history and toughness that surrounds it. I suppose I could always order the OPB and if it sucks I know I would have no problem selling it for little to no loss. Then purchase the TPB if need be.

[urbanlifter]

Uraban....does the TPB have any sleeve rattle or side to side play? I'm very picky when it comes to construction of barbell sleeves and noise in general from fitment slop. I suppose what intrigues me about the TPB is its history and toughness that surrounds it. I suppose I could always order the OPB and if it sucks I know I would have no problem selling it for little to no loss. Then purchase the TPB if need be.

I can check mine again later tonight, but I haven't noticed any excessive play in the sleeves. If you are extremely picky the OPB might be the safer bet, people often claim it's more polished looking and refined compared to the TPB. When I pulled my TPB out of the sleeve it was fairly dirty and didn't shine until after a good wipe down, kinda what you would expect coming from a place called Buddy Capps 'Welding' LOL. I could see the presentation mentally throwing some people off, first impressions are hard to overcome...

[dragon360]

The TPB is a beast but not as polished as the OPB in my opinion. If you want polished or have OCD, the Rogue bar for sure.

[keyboardworkout]

Uraban....does the TPB have any sleeve rattle or side to side play? I'm very picky when it comes to construction of barbell sleeves and noise in general from fitment slop. I suppose what intrigues me about the TPB is its history and toughness that surrounds it. I suppose I could always order the OPB and if it sucks I know I would have no problem selling it for little to no loss. Then purchase the TPB if need be.

Yes, my TPB had a lot of side to side rattle and hammer marks on the sleeves from knocking the pins in. There was no up and down movement, the bushings are tight on the bar.

[Jason2459]

A pined sleeve will generally have more lateral play then a snap ring design. Both perfectly good options for a power bar. My OPB has some play but not as much as my Jesup bar. My REP fitness Excalibur had the least and makes no noise. Until I got the Vulcan Absolute black oxide. At least mine has 0 movement. The rotation is free and smooth but slower then the rest. I'd say perfect amount of spin for a power bar.

[MGM711]

So if you guys had to chose between a Texas Power Bar and a Rogue Ohio Power Bar what would you chose?

I'm still kicking myself for not picking up that spring20 discount code ebay had a week back and buying the TPB.

I like both but I can't afford both and don't need both.

I think this just boils down to personal preference as I don't think there's one bar "better" than the other. I've owned and used TPB for many more years, so it just feels more at home for me. I've also owned the OPB in bare steel, and it was a fine bar as well, just didn't quite like it as well as my TPB. The big deciding point is if you prefer 29mm or 28.5mm better. The 29mm shaft of the OPB is definitely stiffer. The flex of the TPB doesn't bother me on squats like it does some others, but I would say the OPB was a stiffer feeling bar all around. If you plan to use the bar for all lifts, my personal preference is that the TPB is better for DL as the OPB is not a very good DL bar at all as it's way to stiff. Bottom line, I don't think you go wrong with either choice.

[dparty82]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I think I'm keeping the OPB on my wish list until a sale shows up (hoping by memorial day). Sounds like that bar will suite my needs and the knurling sounds right up my alley as well.

[keyboardworkout]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I think I'm keeping the OPB on my wish list until a sale shows up (hoping by memorial day). Sounds like that bar will suite my needs and the knurling sounds right up my alley as well.

To mix things up further for you, there is also the B&R 2.0 bar which is an OPB with medium knurling and dual marks.

[BYOBB]

So if you guys had to chose between a Texas Power Bar and a Rogue Ohio Power Bar what would you chose?

I'm still kicking myself for not picking up that spring20 discount code ebay had a week back and buying the TPB.

I like both but I can't afford both and don't need both.

Both are excellent bars. Beyond what everyone else has already said, I think the Rogue's sleeves are easier to take apart and clean out if you're into that. I wonder if we'll see a Texas Power Bar in stainless steel now that everyone's doing it.

[twodog]

I wonder if we'll see a Texas Power Bar in stainless steel now that everyone's doing it.

i doubt that, lol. Buddy, being Buddy, does not like much change.

[Zuman1988]

Man would I love to see a 29mm TPB.

[Jason2459]

Man would I love to see a 29mm TPB.

I would buy it.

[BYOBB]

i doubt that, lol. Buddy, being Buddy, does not like much change.

They did change from black oxide to zinc a few years ago. That's a less drastic than making bars out of a completely different steel, but still.

[jimbuick]

I haven't used the new zinc coated TPB, but I don't much care for the zinc coated OPB.

I have an old TPB and a new OPB, and I rarely ever use the OPB. It is slick, and honestly I just think the Texas is a better looking bar.

I wouldn't buy another OPB.

[BYOBB]

I haven't used the new zinc coated TPB, but I don't much care for the zinc coated OPB.

I have an old TPB and a new OPB, and I rarely ever use the OPB. It is slick, and honestly I just think the Texas is a better looking bar.

I wouldn't buy another OPB.

Have you tried the bare OPB? The old black oxide TPB was the bar I recommended before I tried the bare steel OPB. The black zinc versions of both bars feel pretty similar, as do the ODB (RIP) and TDB.

[Jason2459]

I've got the bare OPB. I would not buy again either.

[jimbuick]

Have you tried the bare OPB? The old black oxide TPB was the bar I recommended before I tried the bare steel OPB. The black zinc versions of both bars feel pretty similar, as do the ODB (RIP) and TDB.

No, but I have the bare steel ODB.

I don't like it as much as the TDB, but it is a nice enough bar.

I am not a huge fan of the Rogue knurling (that I have been exposed to), and the OPBs just look cheap to me.

[thejosef]

Nice, honest review by Brandon:

[keyboardworkout]

Nice, honest review by Brandon:

Good review.

I have problems with the idea that the Kabuki and OHP are not competing with each other. I made a similar product to yours but priced it over 2x higher, therefore I'm not competing with you. That doesn't make sense.

[chadsalt]

Good review.

I have problems with the idea that the Kabuki and OHP are not competing with each other. I made a similar product to yours but priced it over 2x higher, therefore I'm not competing with you. That doesn't make sense.

Technically the specs are what separate the two, IMO. On paper they're higher, any relevance in real world application? Probably not. But there's no competing with the end caps.

Not that I drank the Kool aid, as I see no actual use beyond the specs of my vintage York. People been using them without all the whining for decades.

[dragon360]

Good review.

I have problems with the idea that the Kabuki and OHP are not competing with each other. I made a similar product to yours but priced it over 2x higher, therefore I'm not competing with you. That doesn't make sense.

I 100% agree. I get that the price is supposed to put them in a different league but it doesn’t matter if the product doesn’t. I won’t disagree that it’s not likely a nice bar. Just not 3x nicer.

[Za78]

I was lucky and picked up a barely used TPB locally for 120. It really looks brand new so was a no-brainer. I have not used any other well regarded bar except for the Ivanko OBX-20kg. I love this bar. It feels really good in the hands. The knurling is grippy but not painful. My girlfiend has pressed with it and did not complain of any discomfort either. There is no vertical play in the sleeves at all though there is the slightest horizontal play, like a millimeter if I tug at the sleeves. I think you would have to be looking for the play to find it.

That Kabuki end cap is pretty f'n bad ass.