As much as we focus on construction here at Home Fixated, there is often the crucial step of demolition that happens before. However, sometimes prepping for home improvement requires a bit more finesse than a sledgehammer or crowbar can provide. I am locked into what seems like an eternal battle to replace or restore the aging double hung wood windows in our home. This usually involves trying to carefully remove delicate wood trim around and between the sashes. That cautious removal usually is interrupted by the sharp cracking sound of wood, several expletives, and then some extra time at the table saw to reproduce the splintered trim pieces. On the last couple sashes I was restoring I was bound and determined to remove the trim intact and in re-usable condition. To attempt this daring feat, I purchased the Titan Pry Bar Set – a pair of Stainless Steel pry bars that are 7 1/4″ and 9 1/4″ in length, and very lean. Did they do the trick, and do you need a pair of these Titan pry bars too?
The Problem with Pry Bars
Pry bars come in all shapes and sizes, suited for all kinds of prying tasks. The problem with most of them is that they tend to be designed for destruction, without much regard for keeping parts that come into contact with them intact. This is especially true when you’re trying to remove trim. Most pry bars will not only damage the trim, but they’ll often damage the wall or surface they are fastened to. We recently reviewed the Trim Puller, which we found well suited to baseboard removal. However, even the Trim Puller was too beefy to take on the delicate trim I was working with. I needed something with a very thin edge to help get the trim separated from the window without destroying either in the process. A quick search on Amazon, led me to the Titan Stainless Steel Pry Bar Set.
The Titan Pry Bar Set
This stainless steel pry bar duo can be used for trim removal, pulling nails (ideally smaller ones), and even a little scraping if needed. Having two of these is essential in a trim removal task like mine. The trick is to work one tool in and use it to create enough of a gap for the second tool to work its magic. Taking it slow is key to avoiding the snap/profanity/re-fabricating steps mentioned above.
Slim Gets the Trim
While most pry bars are manufactured to pretty crude standards with blunt ends, both ends of the Titan Pry Bar Set are thin and sharp enough that it’s worth wearing some protective gloves when working with them. The longer flat end of the bars is remarkably thin, which enables you to work your way in to the tiniest of gaps between trim pieces.
The 90 degree end of the pry bars is also ground very thin, however it has a more chiseled edge than the straight end. Once I created a gap with the straight end of one Titan pry bar, I would use the 90 degree end (resting on the flat part of the other bar) to gently pry from the backside of the trim piece. The two pry bars work together very nicely.
Titan Stainless Steel Pry Bars – Specialized but Versatile
Aside from tasks like removing trim, these Titan pry bars also have a couple more tricks up their sleeve. Both ends of the bars are sharp enough that they can do a little scraping duty. I would still use a dedicated scraping tool for scraping any sizable area, but for scraping off some drips of adhesive or a spill of finish in a small area, these are ideal.
Both sizes also sport a nail pull. Given that the length on these tools is well under a foot, and that they’re thin stainless steel, I would not advise trying to use these for pulling out huge framing nails. The pulls are great for smaller finish nails though, which is what you’re most likely to encounter when using them anyway.
Titan Pry Bars Summary
If you have ever been frustrated by marring or breaking trim, the Titan Stainless Steel Pry Bar Set is a great purchase. They’re also helpful for simply getting the trim removal process started, even if the trim is beefy enough to warrant larger prying tools after that. These pry bars are definitely not a tool you’ll want to demo a house or break up a concrete patio with. For more delicate removal and restoration projects, I think they’ll make a very worthwhile and frequently-used addition to your toolbox.
Where to Buy Titan Pry Bars and Pricing
Although they look sexy enough to warrant a high price tag, these Titan Stainless Pry Bars are an absolute bargain at around $18 for the pair, available via Amazon:
Purdy, lol I have several prybars in different lengths and shapes, most are unfinshed steel with a nice oxidized brown color (not rust). Found every so often on a job that I’ll have to dig out a different one or length to get at nail , I even have a nice thin one that is actually meant for use with bee hives, but it has been great and is compact but not very thick so you can apply to much levearge or use with a hammer, but I’m going to have to order the Titans.
I have used similar but less well made versions of these tools for years. I bought these last year, and I have to say their refinement is wonderful. Hey, they look grand too!
These look excellent for the delicate work. As a bonus no one had to hear the cuss words!