Transformer Bar Review - Bar of Sketch

[FredAbalon3]

I received the bar on the 9th of Feb and I hate to say I'm not too impressed. It was thrown in a box, with only foam balls on the handles for protection, and all corners of the box had a holes. Hopeful nothing was tarnished from the shipment, I was way wrong. The adjustable notches had a gash (hopefully during shipment) and a crack across a poorly covered weld which adds a whole level of sketchiness when adding weight. The screws to secure the angle wasn’t welded on a flat surface because turning it gives a wobble effect, and due to that, you can’t place your weights proximally to the bar, leaving u a cm of space on the shaft. And after paying this with the abandoned bar discount, I’m surprised I didn’t get it with a blemish discount as well. The welds on the adjustable holes have HAZs all over from the high heat welding, and as HAZ may look cool on metal, it also changes the integrity of it... some more sketch. The barbell shaft itself has a spiral machined look which is kind of cool... if it was intended. The barbell sleeves have locking pieces that was welded diagonally vs. straight... and some more sketch. There's know marker to show what angle you'll be running, and after attempting to post this review on their website, I'm surprised I haven't gotten any response from them regarding my concerns and my review wasn't posted up. Though, someone elses review was posted claiming it's a great bar although he hasn't received it yet...

The material for the foam padding is nice and smooth, and after putting 350lbs, the adjustability of the notches are handy for hitting different muscle groups. "Front" squatting is way more easier with the bar and the carry over to other lifts feels more apparent. More importantly, since I have bicep/pec tendinitis, my shoulder is no longer aggravated. Knurling is whatever, I've squatted over 400 on a bar with no knurling at the gym vs my rogue power bar and if you don't know how to grip something or place anything on your back, knurling won't add 100lbs. And since the handles are long, there are times where I don't use the knurling. I've been looking for a real review of this bar ever since it's hiatus/remake so I found it fitting that since I could only find a couple stating the obvious of what the bar does, but not how it looks. But considering the high caliber of products pushed by this company, seems like the transformer bar doesn’t go through quality control like the rest of the bars.

Overall score - 2/5

[FredAbalon3]

more pics

[cwcmac]

Nice review. Thanks and repped.

[dragon360]

Honestly - I appreciate their intentions but it is almost as if a few friends came up with an idea and created a prototype with all the roughness that would be part of that.

I get that Kabuki feels that these are work items and will be used as such and likely they will be. However, for the prices they are asking the weld splatter, manufacturing marks and the other nonsense are all bull**** to me and simply sloppy work. If you are going to have the items as such, price them as such. But for what you are asking as a premium pricing i expect a premium product.

[MGM711]

Wow, total shocker...Kabuki trying to pull off selling another boneyard bar at full bang!

[magicmatt]

After browsing this forum for like a month I don't think Kabuki will ever get a dime from me

[keyboardworkout]

Does Kabuki outsource their manufacturing to Titan?

[MGM711]

Does Kabuki outsource their manufacturing to Titan?

LMAO...outstanding!

[lsi1]

KS quality you pay extra for.

[chadsalt]

Does Kabuki outsource their manufacturing to Titan?

Don't be ridiculous, the only thing that breaks dealing with Kabuki is your wallet.

[squat802]

Does Kabuki outsource their manufacturing to Titan?

I heard Kabuki and Titan have merged......a Match made in Heaven!!!

[keyboardworkout]

I heard Kabuki and Titan have merged......a Match made in Heaven!!!

Tituki?

[irongrandpa]

Honestly - I appreciate their intentions but it is almost as if a few friends came up with an idea and created a prototype with all the roughness that would be part of that.

I get that Kabuki feels that these are work items and will be used as such and likely they will be. However, for the prices they are asking the weld splatter, manufacturing marks and the other nonsense are all bull**** to me and simply sloppy work. If you are going to have the items as such, price them as such. But for what you are asking as a premium pricing i expect a premium product.

Agree 100%. Anyone buying products in this price range should receive top quality products. What I've seen in the threads on here is shameful and I'm very surprised people are putting up with it and some are even close to defending Kabuki in the comments I've seen.

[thejosef]

Ugh. Man I hate to see this. I feel like Kabuki has such potential, but it's like they can't handle the volume or something. WHERE IS THE QUALITY CONTROL? Very disappointing.. thanks for sharing the photos and impressions.

[chadsalt]

Ugh. Man I hate to see this. I feel like Kabuki has such potential, but it's like they can't handle the volume or something. WHERE IS THE QUALITY CONTROL? Very disappointing.. thanks for sharing the photos and impressions.

Seems more like they DGAF.

[urbanlifter]

It's all fun and games until Rogue decides to release a Duffalo bar at 1/2 the cost, then goodnight sweet Bukkaki Strength.

I hope Duffin trains alot of online clients for $250 a month....LOL

[Domicron]

an equipment review thread...with pictures...from a new poster?

what forum is this?

thanks for the review dude, keep buying stuff

[AttyGuy]

Does Kabuki outsource their manufacturing to Titan?

LMAO...outstanding!

It was between Titan and another company, and Titan had right of first refusal. They said no thank you.

I heard Kabuki and Titan have merged......a Match made in Heaven!!!

Tituki?

Shippai.

[cwcmac]

Ugh. Man I hate to see this. I feel like Kabuki has such potential, but it's like they can't handle the volume or something. WHERE IS THE QUALITY CONTROL? Very disappointing.. thanks for sharing the photos and impressions.

Can't imagine it is volume. I just don't see these flying off the shelf at such a rate that they can't keep up or inspect before sending them out.

[thejosef]

Can't imagine it is volume. I just don't see these flying off the shelf at such a rate that they can't keep up or inspect before sending them out.

Yes, on the transformer bar, that's probably true. I was thinking more of their next gen power and squat bars. I wonder if they sell to a lot of large gyms who really just don't care about the details/cosmetics..

[IronAbrams]

I feel like Dean spoils all of us with his packaging, I've never gotten a blemished item from him and I have A LOT of Black Widow gear.

That's just crazy they would throw the bar into cardboard with nothing else besides that little bit of foam on the handles.

[Asjogren]

I feel like Dean spoils all of us with his packaging, I've never gotten a blemished item from him and I have A LOT of Black Widow gear.

That's just crazy they would throw the bar into cardboard with nothing else besides that little bit of foam on the handles.

I agree..My Black Widow SSB came through perfectly even with the box beaten up during shipping..Not a scratch..Deans powder coating is also done well as all three of my bars are holding up great. I don't bang them around but I've read here that other vendors bars scratch up and start peeling after the first use.

[Domicron]

I feel like Dean spoils all of us with his packaging, I've never gotten a blemished item from him and I have A LOT of Black Widow gear.

That's just crazy they would throw the bar into cardboard with nothing else besides that little bit of foam on the handles.

I dunno about Dean, but i do know Mech packages the **** out of his equipment.

It's really not surprising: people who put effort into their work don't want that work being ruined over something stupid like not enough packaging. it's also smart because then they don't have to go through insurance, or remake anything.

[matrix563]

this bar. that's my next gen that's my gen that's my next gen


sike

[lsi1]

Look at the bright side when Titan does get around to cloning this bar their welds and finish will improve on the original for once.

[cwcmac]

I dunno about Dean, but i do know Mech packages the **** out of his equipment.

It's really not surprising: people who put effort into their work don't want that work being ruined over something stupid like not enough packaging. it's also smart because then they don't have to go through insurance, or remake anything.

My mech stuff is still boxed up in the corner; I got exhausted trying to unwrap and unbox everything and gave up

[FredAbalon3]

Agreed, I wouldn’t mind paying 300 or 350 max for the quality because the bar works as intended, though the sketchiness is real with the cracks and lack of welding skills. On the plus side, since I bought it banged up already, I really don’t need to baby it like my other bars xD

I’ve emailed the company requesting for a return and they haven’t gotten back to me yet so in case anyone is contemplating of buying this bar, these pictures should raise awareness of what they’ll receive. Not to mention the lack of customer service.

[tombro]

Wait a second I know I’m like the resident dick here but you mean to tell me you were even toying w the idea of keeping a cracked bar?

[tombro]

You know after 15 years of buying stuff online I can understand if things aren’t absolutely perfect, I’m ocd so I get it if rick at edge isn’t going to sit there with a level and make sure every weld is 99.9999999 or more on point, I get human error. What I can’t get is how these people ship out a cracked bar. One of two things is happening. They either see it and say screw the customer, or they are brain dead. No third option here folks only those two

[dragon360]

I HAve a number of Dean’s pieces and think I had a problem with only one. But it seemed the shipper was simply intent on destroying the package. As for Mech, it takes me more time to unwrap than put the item together. Never seen anything like it