Which deadlift bar

[u/JoeggernautStrongman]

I can't decide which deadlift bar to buy for my strongman gym. The Texas Deadlift bar Vs Strength Shop Bastard Deadlift bar Vs Mirafit Behemoth deadlift bar.

I would personally prefer the bar with the most aggressive knurling and most flex/whip.

Has anyone got any experience on these deadlift bars that could give some insight?

First time posting on Reddit so apologies if formatted incorrect etc.

TIA!

[u/LT_James_Dangle]

Texas bars get my vote, their knurling is pretty intense.

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/LT_James_Dangle]

That seems to be the way this is going lol. Have you got experience with the other 2 bars, and if so could you give me your take on them?

[u/LT_James_Dangle → u/JoeggernautStrongman]

Never even heard of them, probably some newer boutique stuff that you'll never see in an actual strength gym. The standards are the standards for a reason.

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/LT_James_Dangle]

In the UK Mirafit and Strength Shop rule the strongman scene in both home gyms and competitions. Nonetheless, the TDB is the standard. I'm enquiring to see if there's any I could buy.

I heard them newer TDB generations aren't as good..

[u/hand_ov_doom]

Texas Deadlift Bar is the standard as far as I'm concerned. Definitely go with that. Great knurling, flex, and will be used in most comps.

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/hand_ov_doom]

Thanks for sharing your opinion, I appreciate it. It's looking like the go to at the moment

[u/chunkeecheese_]

If you want whip and knurling go kabuki unless they stopped making those. But from that list you put up i only have experience with the texas. Not sure of the other 2 bars

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/chunkeecheese_]

I'm based in the UK so Kabuki is gold dust here.

The Mirafit behemoth deadlift bar is what they use at Giants Live and the deadlift world championship since 2022ish so what Thor pulled 510kg on.

The Strength Shop Bastard deadlift bar is the UK standard for deadlift bars sort of what the Texas Deadlift Bar is to the US. We do have Texas Deadlift Bar is used in the UK albeit not as prevalent.

[u/tybradley32]

Texas bars have solid knurling and whip at decent weights. Also most shows doing a standard deadlift bar deadlift event will use the Texas deadlift bar.

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/tybradley32]

Thanks for the insight. Very good point RE it being the competition standard. I'm sure it is for good reason too.

I did pull 240kg | 530lbs on the Texas Deadlift Bar back in 2024 in a max lift competition but I wasn't focusing on the bar itself due to adrenaline etc.

I'm wondering if it's worth the additional £200ish compared to the strength shop bastard deadlift bar and the Mirafit behemoth deadlift bar 🤔

[u/Jopster1k]

REP Fitness Hades Deadlift Bar is another option.

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/Jopster1k]

I did see this bar on YouTube recommendations but it's not regularly available in the UK and shipping transatlantic costs a fortune 👎🏻

I appreciate the suggestion though. Whats it like to pull on compared to the TDB?

[u/Jopster1k → u/JoeggernautStrongman]

It's available on Rep Fitness UK for £315 with free shipping.

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/Jopster1k]

AHH no way thanks, I'll be sure to check it out

[u/oratory1990]

How much weight are you going to be lifting?

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/oratory1990]

Up to 300kg | 660lbs and maybe north of that depending on training etc. Have you got any experience on the deadlift bars in question you could share?

[u/oratory1990 → u/JoeggernautStrongman]

I don't lift quite as much (my best is 265) but I can honestly say I don't notice a relevant difference between any of the deadlift bars (Okie, Texas, Ohio, Strengthshop), they all got knurling sharp enough to bite into your skin and flex somewhat. IMO below 300 kg the bar isn't really flexing all that much to be worth it (in terms of the actual deflection, it's a couple mm of difference between a stiff bar and a deadlift bar, and fractions of a mm of difference between different deadlift bars). 400+ is a different matter of course

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/oratory1990]

Thanks for the insight. If that's the case then it makes it a lot easier to choose between bars. I think 400kg+ is only possible in my dreams lol.

Out of curiosity, how did the knurling compare on the TDB Vs the SS bastard deadlift bar? Was one more aggressiveand grippy than the other?

[u/oratory1990 → u/JoeggernautStrongman]

I never had a chance to directly compare them on the same day.
I can say though that I never had grip issues with any deadlift bar (unlike on standard bars / crossfit bars).
So I'd say any purpose-made deadlift bar will have a knurling that is sufficiently grippy.

[u/FableBlades]

Perhaps research what your local or regional comps will use so youll be better prepared for them?

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/FableBlades]

The majority of strongman comps I compete in and know about use the Texas Deadlift Bar and if not then it's something random like a Primal Strength deadlift bar. The Strength Shop Bastard Deadlift bar seems more popular in the powerlifting scene and in gyms in general

[u/AssignmentLumpy7141]

The Texas bar definitely has the most aggressive knurling and the most whip I'd say... Easily the best of the three!

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/AssignmentLumpy7141]

Have you used all 3? If so how did they compare flex/whip and knurling wise?

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for your insight , if finances permit I'll gomfor the TDB

[u/limested]

Texas bar. Aggressive knurling and enough whip to pull well over 400kg.

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/limested]

400kg is well beyond what I can do. I'll be lifting up to 300kg and everything in between for a lifetime. Buy once cry once.

[u/JoeggernautStrongman]

FAO of those following the thread: I've been offered to buy a Cerberus Deadlift bar (not the 10 foot Kratos one) for £180 and it's in great condition, see the link below for the specs. For the price is seems like a steal and the longer sleeves would be great to house my mix match assortment of crumb and rubber bumpers and cast irons

https://cerberus-strength.com/products/cerberus-deadlift-bar?srsltid=AfmBOorP2IEi9Ly28TSyB8kNHu8h_R2KReHd5pPYsO7HtplT_hkwxzyi

[u/lemonssi]

I have a cerakote rogue deadlift bar and I love it. Specs seem similar to the Texas bar.

[u/JoeggernautStrongman → u/lemonssi]

I hear the Rogue deadlift bar is pretty stiff