Power Bar Recommendations - Knurl like B&R, but more oxidation resistant

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06-22-2020, 07:56 PM
Ben Shugart

Power Bar Recommendations - Knurl like B&R, but more oxidation resistant
Looking for barbell recommendations. Here's my situation:
- I live in Atlanta and work out in my garage. Lots of humidity.
- I use old steel/iron plates. Most have a decent amount of rust.
- I do all the 5 typical SS lifts (Squat, Bench, Press, Deadlift, Power Cleans).
- I don't do high-rep workouts like crossfit, etc.
I'm looking for ONE bar:
- That can reasonably withstand the oxidation that comes with humidity when used/stored in my garage. I'm ok with weekly maintenance, I do it on my (bent) York International Black Oxide bar, now.
- Has a center knurl that is sufficient for squats, but will not act as a cheese grater on power cleans
- With sleeves that can withstand surface coating damage from power cleans/dead-lifts with steel/iron plates and which can withstand corrosion/oxidation due to contact with my rusty plates (Yes, I realize I should restore my plates)
I've used the Rogue B&R and find that it fits all my requirements except, obviously, corrosion-resistance. Can it be maintained and kept from significant corrosion if used/stored in a fairly humid garage?

Thanks,
Ben
06-24-2020, 12:15 PM
Sebastian Ohanian
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben Shugart

Looking for barbell recommendations. Here's my situation:

I live in Atlanta and work out in my garage. Lots of humidity.
I use old steel/iron plates. Most have a decent amount of rust.
I do all the 5 typical SS lifts (Squat, Bench, Press, Deadlift, Power Cleans).
I don't do high-rep workouts like crossfit, etc.

I'm looking for ONE bar:

That can reasonably withstand the oxidation that comes with humidity when used/stored in my garage. I'm ok with weekly maintenance, I do it on my (bent) York International Black Oxide bar, now.
Has a center knurl that is sufficient for squats, but will not act as a cheese grater on power cleans
With sleeves that can withstand surface coating damage from power cleans/dead-lifts with steel/iron plates and which can withstand corrosion/oxidation due to contact with my rusty plates (Yes, I realize I should restore my plates)

I've used the Rogue B&R and find that it fits all my requirements except, obviously, corrosion-resistance. Can it be maintained and kept from significant corrosion if used/stored in a fairly humid garage?

Thanks,
Ben
Rogue power bar can be ordered in stainless including sleeves.
06-25-2020, 01:40 PM
Jump 22

Plenty of options
Mark has discussed this subject many times over.
He recommended Buddy and just recently said they are available to order.
06-30-2020, 09:10 AM
Snake Plissken
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben Shugart

Looking for barbell recommendations. Here's my situation:

I live in Atlanta and work out in my garage. Lots of humidity.
I use old steel/iron plates. Most have a decent amount of rust.
I do all the 5 typical SS lifts (Squat, Bench, Press, Deadlift, Power Cleans).
I don't do high-rep workouts like crossfit, etc.

I'm looking for ONE bar:

That can reasonably withstand the oxidation that comes with humidity when used/stored in my garage. I'm ok with weekly maintenance, I do it on my (bent) York International Black Oxide bar, now.
Has a center knurl that is sufficient for squats, but will not act as a cheese grater on power cleans
With sleeves that can withstand surface coating damage from power cleans/dead-lifts with steel/iron plates and which can withstand corrosion/oxidation due to contact with my rusty plates (Yes, I realize I should restore my plates)

I've used the Rogue B&R and find that it fits all my requirements except, obviously, corrosion-resistance. Can it be maintained and kept from significant corrosion if used/stored in a fairly humid garage?

Thanks,
Ben
Have you thought about storing it in your house? I had the same issue because I have a detached garage gym, but I wanted a carbon steel bar since coatings hurt your grip and it's the cheapest option. I put hooks into my wall through the studs and hang it like a trophy. Guns are in the safe these days, but at least I can show off my bar haha

If you're set on storing it in the garage, then you should get a stainless bar and clean it often. You'll also need to clean and reoil the bushings more often since humidity (water) is a bad lubricant and it'll work its way into the bushings so your sleeves will not rotate as freely over time.
06-30-2020, 06:23 PM
bjvinson
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben Shugart

Looking for barbell recommendations. Here's my situation:

I live in Atlanta and work out in my garage. Lots of humidity.
I use old steel/iron plates. Most have a decent amount of rust.
I do all the 5 typical SS lifts (Squat, Bench, Press, Deadlift, Power Cleans).
I don't do high-rep workouts like crossfit, etc.

I'm looking for ONE bar:

That can reasonably withstand the oxidation that comes with humidity when used/stored in my garage. I'm ok with weekly maintenance, I do it on my (bent) York International Black Oxide bar, now.
Has a center knurl that is sufficient for squats, but will not act as a cheese grater on power cleans
With sleeves that can withstand surface coating damage from power cleans/dead-lifts with steel/iron plates and which can withstand corrosion/oxidation due to contact with my rusty plates (Yes, I realize I should restore my plates)

I've used the Rogue B&R and find that it fits all my requirements except, obviously, corrosion-resistance. Can it be maintained and kept from significant corrosion if used/stored in a fairly humid garage?

Thanks,
Ben
I have a couple of b&r bars and a starting strength bar from Caps. I like the knurl on the Caps bar best. The center knurl is fine for cleans and pressing (occasional nose scrapes). As far as maintenance is concerned, it’s really minimal - scrub it with a wire brush
then wipe it with 3 in 1 or wd 40, then wipe it off with a rag. I do this once a week. Every couple of years I pull the sleeves off to clean and lube them. Once the bar steel bars age and develop a patina then maintaining the bar is even easier.

If you take care of it a bare steel bar is fine and will last forever unless you bend it.

hope this helps,

Barry
11-01-2020, 08:51 AM
Oldandfat

I don’t understand the issue with bare steel? I have a rogue power, and deadliftbar bare steel. It’s the only acceptable Finnish in my opinion.

All I do is brush the bars off with a nylon brush after each workout. Once a year I put a few drops in the sleeves and give er a spin.

No rust, the bars just look “older”, and cooler all the time.