New Vulcan Buffalo Bar

[GamecockLifter]

I have confirmed that this bar is 100% made in the U.S.A all the way down to the packaging and stickers. Here is a picture of the knurl, which I love.

I'll have a full review posted in the next week.

[MGM711]

I have confirmed that this bar is 100% made in the U.S.A all the way down to the packaging and stickers. Here is a picture of the knurl, which I love.

I'll have a full review posted in the next week.

Knurl looks good!

I guess I don't quite get the veil of secrecy in not responding to email questions and why they didn't just put 100% made in the USA like they do with other bars on their site though?

[GamecockLifter]

Knurl looks good!

I guess I don't quite get the veil of secrecy in not responding to email questions and why they didn't just put 100% made in the USA like they do with other bars on their site though?

Yeah, I'm not sure either. Vulcan certainly isn't known for having the best web presence. Wouldn't be surprised if they didn't even realize some products have different variations of 'made in the U.S.A.'

[dragon360]

Hey GCL - sent a PM.

[radrd]

Yeah, I'm not sure either. Vulcan certainly isn't known for having the best web presence.

Can confirm. Phone works best. I ordered my rack from them and had some questions that the site didn't answer. They are hit or miss on email too. I've dealt with one rep via email who was great and another not so much. I'm guessing the "not so much" rep is the one that usually replies to emails. The good one was following up on our phone conversation.

[nwobhm]

Knurl looks good!

I guess I don't quite get the veil of secrecy in not responding to email questions and why they didn't just put 100% made in the USA like they do with other bars on their site though?

Probably because it isn't 100% made in the USA.

[GamecockLifter]

Probably because it isn't 100% made in the USA.

That would be entirely shady, and possibly illegal. Vulcan doesn’t strike me as the type to do something like that in my experience with them. I think it has more to do with their amateur website and issues with email correspondence/timeliness.

[radrd]

That would be entirely shady, and possibly illegal. Vulcan doesn’t strike me as the type to do something like that in my experience with them. I think it has more to do with their amateur website and issues with email correspondence/timeliness.

This. I've purchased a rack, bar, and some accessories from them with no reason to think they have any issues beyond a subpar web presence.

[BenMcLeodNZ]

Anyone bench pressed with a bar like this? I have been looking for one so I can get a deeper range of motion in bench, like doing dumbbell bench. This bar in particular looks no good on the wrists in the bench I think.

[GamecockLifter]

Anyone bench pressed with a bar like this? I have been looking for one so I can get a deeper range of motion in bench, like doing dumbbell bench. This bar in particular looks no good on the wrists in the bench I think.

This a great bar to bench with, and it’s one of the main reasons to get one. I find it to be a huge help with wrists... and I have little baby wrists.

[Synthetickiller]

This a great bar to bench with, and it’s one of the main reasons to get one. I find it to be a huge help with wrists... and I have little baby wrists.

I'm really excited for this review!
Did you ever locate a duffalo bar for comparison?

[thejosef]

I'm really excited for this review!

Same here! I'm not a fan of the zinc coating, but for the savings over the Kabuki, I could probably let it slide. I've had pretty good experiences with Vulcan & their products too, so I expect the quality to be at least as good, or better, than the Duffalo bar.

[cwcmac]

Knurl looks good!

I guess I don't quite get the veil of secrecy in not responding to email questions and why they didn't just put 100% made in the USA like they do with other bars on their site though?

May just be Vulcan in general and not just this specific product. I've sent them e-mails asking for info twice and never heard back on either

[GamecockLifter]

I'm really excited for this review!
Did you ever locate a duffalo bar for comparison?

I have, but my buddy lives a couple hours away and I likely will need to update the review with side by side comparison at later date. Until then, I will just be able to compare based on specs and general feedback.

I don’t doubt the duffalo is superior, but at the price point... man, this Vulcan bar is going to be tough to overlook. There are a couple notable drawbacks to the bar that I will go into detail in the review.

But less than $375 shipped feels pretty darn good.

[GamecockLifter]

Hey GCL - sent a PM.

Thanks - replied.

[BenMcLeodNZ]

This a great bar to bench with, and it’s one of the main reasons to get one. I find it to be a huge help with wrists... and I have little baby wrists.

Thanks, that's very helpful information. I have been thinking about benching with one for a few years now so I might start saving up.

[cwcmac]

Thanks, that's very helpful information. I have been thinking about benching with one for a few years now so I might start saving up.

I have an old Buffalo bar (hex ends, no idea on mfg) and it does feel great on my wrists for benching and I do like the extra rom but I've noticed that using it too much bothers one of my elbows. Likely more a form issue than the bar but just my two cents.

[MGM711]

I have an old Buffalo bar (hex ends, no idea on mfg) and it does feel great on my wrists for benching and I do like the extra rom but I've noticed that using it too much bothers one of my elbows. Likely more a form issue than the bar but just my two cents.

I believe all the Iron Mind Buffalo Bars are hex ends still.

[cwcmac]

I believe all the Iron Mind Buffalo Bars are hex ends still.

I'm guessing mine isn't but I'll have to check the specs, etc but I don't recall seeing any markings anywhere on it. It's old, kind of beat, some surface rust, 55lbs, super sharp knurl (like tiny daggers in my hands when benching but don't notice it squatting).

Bought it from an older powerlifter with ~120lbs of chains was guessing is it equivalent to an Ader or some brand like that but never researched it, just used it

[MGM711]

I'm guessing mine isn't but I'll have to check the specs, etc but I don't recall seeing any markings anywhere on it. It's old, kind of beat, some surface rust, 55lbs, super sharp knurl (like tiny daggers in my hands when benching but don't notice it squatting).

Bought it from an older powerlifter with ~120lbs of chains was guessing is it equivalent to an Ader or some brand like that but never researched it, just used it

Probably not an Iron Mind Buffalo Bar...knurling isn't what I'd call aggressive.

[Jason2459]

Same here! I'm not a fan of the zinc coating, but for the savings over the Kabuki, I could probably let it slide. I've had pretty good experiences with Vulcan & their products too, so I expect the quality to be at least as good, or better, than the Duffalo bar.

Same. The two bars I have from Vulcan are great bars. Their website sucks and often not updated or lacking info.

[GamecockLifter]

Got pictures taken this morning. Hoping to post review today. Possibly tomorrow at latest.

[irongrandpa]

Got pictures taken this morning. Hoping to post review today. Possibly tomorrow at latest.

I appreciate all the different reviews you do. On spread.

[GamecockLifter]

I appreciate all the different reviews you do. On spread.

Thank you - very much appreciated!

I just published my review for anyone interested. Overall, I think this is a really good, but not a great bar. It's not going to compete with a Duffalo bar. It has a couple notable drawbacks that I discuss. I love the bends and knurl. I'm ok with the capacity and the thicker diameter (32mm). I think the sleeves need work and I don't particularly care for the zinc.

Here are a few pics... lots more in the review

[boxer_for_life]

Dat RACK O_O

[rpark]

Is it an optical illusion.... or do the sleeves point upwards? Is that normal for the curved bars like Duffalo & Buffalo? Just curious if that was a design feature or something. I guess I always assumed the sleeves would be straight and parallel to the ground like a straight bar.

[GamecockLifter]

Is it an optical illusion.... or do the sleeves point upwards? Is that normal for the curved bars like Duffalo & Buffalo? Just curious if that was a design feature or something. I guess I always assumed the sleeves would be straight and parallel to the ground like a straight bar.

Angled. I write about it in the review. I really don't like it. The Duffalo has it also.

[rpark]

Angled. I write about it in the review. I really don't like it. The Duffalo has it also.

Sorry, I had a stupid Captain Obvious moment..... thinking what the heck was his website called again.....man that's a nice looking rack..... damn it I can't remember his website name....... Once I got done drooling I realized it was right in front of my face I really blame it on the nice rack being too gorgeous.

[GamecockLifter]

Sorry, I had a stupid Captain Obvious moment..... thinking what the heck was his website called again.....man that's a nice looking rack..... damn it I can't remember his website name....... Once I got done drooling I realized it was right in front of my face I really blame it on the nice rack being too gorgeous.

Haha! Thanks, buddy.

[dragon360]

Awesome review brother ! Detailed but still to the point. And you covered the bases I was interested in. Thanks again!