Atwood Prybaby XL
This is an interesting little item that I first came across when browsing the excellent TADgear.com site. (Seriously, for gearheads, this place is nirvana, so check it out ASAP.)
Peter Atwood is a guy with a passion (or rather obsession) for EDC items. For the uninitiated, EDC stands for Every Day Carry. Peter gets a huge kick out of useful objects that you can slip into your pocket. They appeal to him because they are always there with you, as opposed to back in the tool shed or in the tool box.
So obsessed did Peter become that he started to design his own EDC items. Today, he has several of them, but this review concerns what many would consider his most popular item: the Prybaby.
Apart from the really cool name, the Prybaby is just a great idea. It's designed primarily to be a pocket pry tool, and the thinking behind it is that instead of reaching for your expensive folding knife when you need to pry something loose, reach for your Prybaby instead.
But Peter decided to add some other functions to his tool, and cleverly incorporated a bottle opener, wire stripper and screwdriver into the mix as well. Perhaps the most appealing thing about the whole concept is its size. The Prybaby measures a total of 8cm by 2,5cm, so it's discreet enough to carry on a keychain or in your pocket, no matter how you dress for work.
I keep mine on the end of a complicated set-up that involves a carabiner, a bit of knotted paracord, a fishing swivel and a small split ring, but that's me. These things are so compact you can literally stash them anywhere. Bear in mind, though, the idea is to keep them on your person.
The other great thing about the Prybaby and other Atwood items is the excellent build quality. Each one is handmade by Peter out of S30V steel and then blasted a matte grey and stamped with the Atwood logo. The finishing touch is a short loop of black paracord with a fancy knot in it that goes through the lanyard hole.
There are several variations on the Prybaby, including the standard model, the XL, the mini and a damasteel mini, which is just gorgeous. Being a practical bugger, I got the XL (it's no bigger than the standard - XL stands for extra leverage), which offers a bit more leverage for those prying jobs over the standard model. It also has a cool wavy bit on the top section just behind the pry forks to give you extra grip. I think it adds to the overall aesthetic appeal as well.
Speaking of which, the overall fit and finish of the piece is simply superb. The bead blasting is even and very smooth. There are no blemishes to the finish, no inconsistencies in the design. Even the little bit of paracord is neatly finished so that it won't fray.
The professionalism displayed in the finished product is echoed by the man himself. The experience of dealing with Peter is a real pleasure. I cannot over-emphasise how important this is for me. He gets back to you promptly and does exactly what he says he will do. What a rare thing in today's world. He is also quite willing to share his creative process, and does so on an informative and entertaining blog.
I have no doubt in my mind that the Prybaby will prove a robust and highly durable tool. It is built like a tank out of the highest quality tool steel you can get. It will probably outlast me by many years.
I also have Peter's tactical whistle that is turned out of solid brass and his six inch pry bar - the Bug Out Bar - is on its way. When that arrives I will do a review of it as well, but I am certain it will be a winner for the same reasons I have outlined above.
So for originality, usefulness, build quality and all-round buying experience, I can confidently give the PryBaby XL a 4/5. The only reason I'm not giving it full marks, is I haven't yet had a chance to put it properly through its paces, so watch this space.
Apologies for not having any pics of the item in question, I hope to add pics to this site soon. If you want to check it out and Peter's other items, visit www.phlaunt.com/atwoodknives/ For more opinions on Peter's work from people who use his tools every day, check out EDCforums.com.
Peter Atwood is a guy with a passion (or rather obsession) for EDC items. For the uninitiated, EDC stands for Every Day Carry. Peter gets a huge kick out of useful objects that you can slip into your pocket. They appeal to him because they are always there with you, as opposed to back in the tool shed or in the tool box.
So obsessed did Peter become that he started to design his own EDC items. Today, he has several of them, but this review concerns what many would consider his most popular item: the Prybaby.
Apart from the really cool name, the Prybaby is just a great idea. It's designed primarily to be a pocket pry tool, and the thinking behind it is that instead of reaching for your expensive folding knife when you need to pry something loose, reach for your Prybaby instead.
But Peter decided to add some other functions to his tool, and cleverly incorporated a bottle opener, wire stripper and screwdriver into the mix as well. Perhaps the most appealing thing about the whole concept is its size. The Prybaby measures a total of 8cm by 2,5cm, so it's discreet enough to carry on a keychain or in your pocket, no matter how you dress for work.
I keep mine on the end of a complicated set-up that involves a carabiner, a bit of knotted paracord, a fishing swivel and a small split ring, but that's me. These things are so compact you can literally stash them anywhere. Bear in mind, though, the idea is to keep them on your person.
The other great thing about the Prybaby and other Atwood items is the excellent build quality. Each one is handmade by Peter out of S30V steel and then blasted a matte grey and stamped with the Atwood logo. The finishing touch is a short loop of black paracord with a fancy knot in it that goes through the lanyard hole.
There are several variations on the Prybaby, including the standard model, the XL, the mini and a damasteel mini, which is just gorgeous. Being a practical bugger, I got the XL (it's no bigger than the standard - XL stands for extra leverage), which offers a bit more leverage for those prying jobs over the standard model. It also has a cool wavy bit on the top section just behind the pry forks to give you extra grip. I think it adds to the overall aesthetic appeal as well.
Speaking of which, the overall fit and finish of the piece is simply superb. The bead blasting is even and very smooth. There are no blemishes to the finish, no inconsistencies in the design. Even the little bit of paracord is neatly finished so that it won't fray.
The professionalism displayed in the finished product is echoed by the man himself. The experience of dealing with Peter is a real pleasure. I cannot over-emphasise how important this is for me. He gets back to you promptly and does exactly what he says he will do. What a rare thing in today's world. He is also quite willing to share his creative process, and does so on an informative and entertaining blog.
I have no doubt in my mind that the Prybaby will prove a robust and highly durable tool. It is built like a tank out of the highest quality tool steel you can get. It will probably outlast me by many years.
I also have Peter's tactical whistle that is turned out of solid brass and his six inch pry bar - the Bug Out Bar - is on its way. When that arrives I will do a review of it as well, but I am certain it will be a winner for the same reasons I have outlined above.
So for originality, usefulness, build quality and all-round buying experience, I can confidently give the PryBaby XL a 4/5. The only reason I'm not giving it full marks, is I haven't yet had a chance to put it properly through its paces, so watch this space.
Apologies for not having any pics of the item in question, I hope to add pics to this site soon. If you want to check it out and Peter's other items, visit www.phlaunt.com/atwoodknives/ For more opinions on Peter's work from people who use his tools every day, check out EDCforums.com.
posted by Mark Crozier at 5:28 AM
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