When you need to pry things apart or gain access to closed spaces, there’s really only one tool for the job: a pry bar. But traditional pry bars are usually too big to carry daily, and even if you could tolerate the weight, lugging one around could give people the wrong impression about your intentions.
Many people resort to using their EDC knives to wedge things open in a pinch without a pry bar. Not only can that ruin your knife, but it could also injure you. Thankfully, more than a few compact, dedicated pry tools are available for your everyday carry. This guide will highlight some of our favorite EDC pry bars that you can pick up today.
Our Top Picks, Ranked
The Best Overall Pry Bar: AmslerKnives HR Micro [Buy]
The Best Pry Bar on a Budget: Gerber Chonk [Buy]
The Most Premium Pry Bar: Vero Engineering Fulcrum [Buy]
The Most Functional Pry Bar: Gerber Lockdown [Buy]
The Most Minimal Pry Bar: CIVIVI Ti-Bar [Buy]
AmslerKnives HR Micro | Gerber Chonk | Vero Engineering Fulcrum | Gerber Lockdown | CIVIVI Ti-Bar |
 |  |  |  |  |
| $$$ | $ | $$ | $$ | $ |
| Material: Zirconium | Material: Stainless Steel | Material: Tiatanium | Material: Other | Material: Titanium |
| Size: 2.75″ x 0.5″ | Size: 3.9″ x 1″ | Size: 6.7″ x 1.1″ x 0.8″ | Size: 5.2″ x 0.65″ | Size: 1.75″ x 0.625″ x 0.18″ |
| Key Features: Available in 2 materials and finishes | Key Features: Bottle opener and lanyard hole | Key Features: Bit storage, machined clip | Key Features: Deep carry pocket clip | Key Features: Super compact, lanyard hole |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
The Top Pry Bars
CIVIVI Ti-Bar Pry Bar
Purchase
Gerber Lockdown Pry Bar
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Olight Opry Pry Bar
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Gerber Chonk Pry Bar
Purchase
WE Knife Co. Gesila Pry Bar
Purchase
Gerber Prybrid Utility Pry Bar
Purchase
Twosun TS-EDC04 Pry Bar
Purchase
Kershaw PT-2 Pry Bar
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Griffin Pocket Tool XL Pry Bar
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CRKT Pry Cutter Pry Bar
Purchase
CountyComm Titanium Widgy Pry Bar
Purchase
T&P Ti-Breaker Pry Bar
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AmslerKnives HR Micro Pry Bar
Purchase
Lynch Northwest All Access Pass v2.5 Pry Bar
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Vero Engineering Fulcrum Pry Bar
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TEC Accessories Ti-Pry Pry Bar
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Glow Rhino Tritium Pry Bar
PurchaseHow to Choose the Best EDC Pry Bar
Functions
An EDC pry bar has to have the appropriate tool at one of its ends to fulfill its essential function. All others are secondary, but as many functions as can be placed in a compact tool without making it too big for EDC are welcome. Common features include a bottle opener, screwdriver, a bit driver, a hex wrench, and occasionally a knife blade.\
Length and Weight
You want an EDC pry bar that’s not so big for EDC that you can’t justify carrying it around unless you pry things open regularly. The length of the tool determines its pocketability. But a too small tool will be difficult to use as an effective pry tool for heavy-duty use, so you will want to find a happy medium that’s easy to EDC.
Grip
Most EDC pry tools are single-piece steel or titanium items with bare metal handles. Some integrate handle scales for added grip in wet conditions. Others have slightly more ergonomic designs that let you leverage the tool to accomplish big tasks despite the size. And if there’s a lanyard or keychain hole at the rear, it becomes easy to use those things as an extension of the tool’s grip despite its size.
Material
Stainless steel or titanium comprise the metals used in most everyday carry multitools. Steel has more durability, but it comes with the cost of added weight and bulk in your pockets. Titanium is a popular material for EDC gear, and its use allows larger tools a lighter weight that’s easier to manage.
Price
EDC pry tools can run the gamut from affordable keychain accessories that can do some pry functions to one-of-a-kind handmade and hand-finished tools that can become quite expensive. It’s up to you to choose how much you want to spend on the tool. Whether a pry tool works is a purely practical concern, but sometimes you might want to pick a more expensive tool for its aesthetics or added features rather than its base performance as a pry tool.
The most important qualities to keep in mind:
- Easy to carry and lightweight
- Multiple utilities
- Quality materials
- Safe to use
Pry Bar FAQ
Why do you need a pry bar in your everyday carry kit?
You need a pry bar to have the right tool for the right job, specifically prying and opening tasks. Using a different tool can risk the tool’s and the user’s damage or safety.
Are crowbars and pry bars the same?
No, a crowbar integrates a hook and a pry tool in one large tool. A pry bar is a flatter, usually split tool at the end of a pry bar.
What is a lady foot pry bar used for?
Lady foot pry bars are used to pry and force things open in small areas and tight conditions. The reverse side is used for alignment work.
What are the benefits of using a pry bar?
Pry bars let you separate, scrape, and pull apart items that are difficult to open or manipulate. They also allow you to avoid using your EDC knife for that purpose, risking injury and breakage.
How we picked
Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what’s new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget.
What is Everyday Carry?
Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily lives. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.
Why you should trust us
Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men’s essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise with the industry and familiarity in design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.
